Rockets advance to Western Finals

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets are heading to the Western Conference finals for the first time in 18 years after overcoming a 3-1 series deficit to eliminate the Los Angeles Clippers.

James Harden scored 31 points, Dwight Howard had 16 points and 15 rebounds and the Rockets never trailed in a 113-100 victory over the Clippers on Sunday, sending them to the conference finals for the first time since 1997.

It’s the ninth time in NBA history that a team has overcome a 3-1 series deficit to win a playoff series.

The Rockets overcame a 19-point third-quarter deficit in Game 6 on Thursday night to stay alive. No such heroics were needed Sunday when they were up by 17 after three and Howard opened the fourth quarter with a 3-point play to push it to 88-68.

Marlins’ Redmond fired as manager

MIAMI — Mike Redmond was fired Sunday as manager of the Miami Marlins, moments after they were nearly no-hit in a loss that completed a three-game sweep.

Atlanta’s Shelby Miller was one out from a no-hitter when Justin Bour singled in the Marlins’ 6-0 defeat, which dropped them to 16-22. Redmond’s replacement will be announced Monday, the Marlins said. Bench coach Rob Leary also was fired.

7 shutouts tossed in MLB play Sunday

NEW YORK — There were seven shutouts in 15 games in the major leagues Sunday, only the ninth day with at least seven blankings in major league history.

Shelby Miller pitched the most dramatic game, coming within one out of a no-hitter in Atlanta’s 6-0 win at Miami. He retired the first two batters in the ninth before Justin Bour singled to center. Miller had the only complete game among the winners in the whitewashings.

Lee up 4 strokes in delayed LPGA play

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Minjee Lee played a five-hole stretch in 5 under to open a four-stroke lead Sunday when final-round play was suspended because of darkness in the LPGA Tour’s Kingsmill Championship.

After making an eagle on the par-5 15th to cap the five-hole run, the 18-year-old Australian was on the par-4 16th when the horn sounded. She hit her approach to the green, but opted to mark the ball and finish the hole when play was set to resume at 7 a.m. Monday on Kingsmill Resort’s River Course.