The Houston Rockets have their backs against the wall on Wednesday night as the team travels to Oklahoma City to play the Thunder in Game 5 and despite having flu symptoms, star forward James Harden is expected to play in the matchup.
According to the Associated Press, Harden said he will play in the game despite feeling sick and coach Kevin McHale said that he would be "ready to go" for the game. Houston was down 3-0 in the series before winning Game 4 and the team has had to do it without a healthy Jeremy Lin, as the point guard injured his chest in Game 2 and was limited to 18 minutes in Game 3 before missing Game 4.
The series has been defined by its injuries, especially to Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook, who is out for the remainder of the playoffs after colliding with rookie Patrick Beverley in Game 2 and after surgery for a torn meniscus in his knee, he will be out. It is the first time in Westbrook's career that he has missed any games and now the Thunder will have to try to make a title run without him. Durant has been excellent in his absence, scoring 41 and 38 points, but to get back to the finals against Reggie Jackson and others will have to step up.
McHale said that Jeremy Lin will be available for the game, but only in spot duty and that he may not play at all. He will start off on the bench due to the bruised chest and Beverley will get the bulk of the minutes without him and Lin said that when the medical staff clears him he will play. No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the NBA and the Rockets will be hard pressed to do it without a healthy Lin and Harden.
