We were robbed: Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers have claimed they were robbed after a controversial finish in their NBA playoff series match loss to Oklahoma City.

Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers says his side was robbed following a controversial call in the closing moments of the Clippers' 105-104 loss in game five of their second round NBA playoff series against Oklahoma City.

The Thunder went on an 8-0 surge in the last 49 seconds to get the victory after being down by 13 points with four minutes left in the fourth quarter.

League MVP Durant hit five consecutive shots in the frantic final moments after struggling on offence for most of Tuesday's game.

The final moments included an out-of-bounds replay that favoured the Thunder and led to Westbrook's winning shots from the free-throw line.

"It was our ball," an irate Rivers said in the post-game press conference.

"Everybody knows it was our ball. I think the bottom line is they thought it was a foul and they made up for it.

"In my opinion let's take away replays. Let's take away the replay system. Because that's our ball, we win the game.

"And we got robbed because of that call. And it's clear, everybody in the arena saw it, that's why everyone was shocked when they said Oklahoma City."

Russell Westbrook sank three clutch free throws with six seconds left as Oklahoma City rallied to beat the Clippers.

"I just try to take my time, take a deep breath and knock them down," Westbrook said. "I slow down my breathing, slow my pace and clear my mind."

Kevin Durant was breathing easier after finding his shot late in the game and finished with 27 points for the Thunder who lead the NBA's Western Conference series 3-2.

But the Clippers didn't help their cause by making costly mistakes down the stretch, including Los Angeles point guard Chris Paul who lost the ball on the Clippers' final possession.

Meanwhile The Washington Wizards carried a 39-rebound advantage to a 102-79 rout of Indiana on Tuesday night, cutting the Pacers' lead in the NBA Eastern Conference semi-finals to 3-2.

Washington can level the series at home on Thursday in game six in a stunning turnaround for a team that had lost the last three.

Washington held a 62-23 rebounding edge, with Marcin Gortat matching a career high in points scored (31) and posting a new playoff record number of 16 rebounds, and John Wall adding 27 points.

David West scored 17 points for Indiana.

Washington used a 15-6 run to take a 45-38 halftime lead, extended the margin to 24 after three and to as much as 30 in the fourth.


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3 min read

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Source: AAP


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