Spurs Hammer Rockets to Reach Conference Finals

HOUSTON (AP) — It will be the San Antonio Spurs taking on the Golden State Warriors in the NBA's Western Conference finals.

LaMarcus Aldridge had team highs of 34 points and 12 rebounds as the Spurs ripped the Rockets, 114-75 in Houston to win the conference semifinal series in six games. San Antonio carried a 19-point lead into the second half and removed all doubt by outscoring the Rockets 27-11 in the final period.

Jonathan Simmons had 18 points while starting in place of All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard, who sat out because of a sprained ankle suffered in Game 5.

Rockets guard James Harden had a miserable night, scoring just 10 points on 2 of 11 shooting. Trevor Ariza was Houston's top scorer with 20 points.

The Western Conference finals begin Sunday in Oakland.