Houston Rockets Earn a Tough Win Against LA Clippers, 122-117

Houston Rockets brought down the Los Angeles Clippers tonight in the most interesting game we’ve seen in the last couple of days. The two title candidates clashed at Staples, and after a result roller coaster, the guests from Texas went home with a huge win, 122-117.

“Obviously, we are happy,” said Mike D’Antony after the match. “But we just have to quit coming back all the time, it’s just not going to happen.”

The fantastic Russell Westbrook tore apart Clippers’ defense in this one, pouring 40 points with 10 boards and 5 assists, also winning all the mind games with hosts’ players. One by one Lou Williams, Patrick Beverly, Landry Shamet, all would lose the battle against the former MVP who came into this match very motivated. He would talk trash with the audience, have a mental war with Beverly, and came out as an absolute winner tonight.

😤 @russwest44 ERUPTS for a season-high 40 PTS to lead the @HoustonRockets past LAC! pic.twitter.com/HaFpAmDIPp

— NBA (@NBA) December 20, 2019

However, the game wasn’t going as he planned at one point. After a tight contest in the first period, the Clippers would make a 13-0 run in the second and head on a break with 69-53 lead, and a massive swing behind them.

But things have changed after the break. Houston rolled over the home team in the third period, allowing them to score just 18 points while dropping twice as much by themselves. It is something very uncharacteristic for the Rockets, who are known as an offensive crew, and not the one which makes stops.

The Clippers made just one three in seven attempts, and were 4 for 16 from the field, allowing the guests to collect 16 boards during that the period alone and to take the momentum. With one second to go, Rodney McGruder scored a three, to break the tie, and to give the Rockets a 90-87 lead coming into the final period.

Russell Westbrook would take over the command of the floor at the start of the fourth and move the Rockets, who made an 11-2 series in the opening two and a half minutes of that sequence. The former MVP scored 9 points during that run, and eventually, Houston reached a 101-89 edge.

Clippers were frustrated with the way things developed on the court, with Lou Williams getting a technical foul after his reaction when the refs called for foul on Westbrook.

“Lou got heated, and didn’t turn away… We cannot get techs in the fourth quarter. Even if Lou’s right or wrong, that’s the time to be the bigger man,” Doc Rivers explained.

Russ started talking to the crowd, and for a moment, that woke the hosts who made a 15-2 burst to change the result on the court completely. Doc Rivers’ crew now had a 111-107 advantage.

Yet, another MVP decided that is his time to involve. James Harden dropped two three-pointers to turn the tide and break the home team. The Beard had a quiet night for his standards, delivering just 28 points, but with a solid shooting percentage from downtown, 5 for 11. He also had 10 assists.

Clint Capela scored 16 buckets with 8 boards and 4 steals, Danuel House Jr. had 10, same as Austin Rivers and PJ Tucker who added 12 boards on top.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px5rr-3zpHI

Among the Clippers, Paul George posted a team-high with 34 buckets and 9 boards, 6 for 12 from the field. Kawhi had 25, but his contribution in the final period wasn’t there. Montrezl Harrell had 19 Shamet 13, while Lou Williams ended the night with just 6 buckets.

“I thought we lost our composure overall as a team. It happens, and it shouldn’t, but it’s a good learning lesson for us,” said Rivers after the game, reflecting on the third period also. “I thought we played at the best pace we’ve played all season in the first half. In the third quarter, our pace was the exact opposite.”

The Clippers, will hit the road for the next two matches. The first challenge is in San Antonio against the Spurs. Another unpleasant welcome awaits Kawhi Leonard at AT&T Center. Following that, LAC meets the OKC Thunder, before coming back to Staples and meeting the Lakers.

Meanwhile, this was the first of four straight road matches for the Rockets, who now travel to Phoenix to face the Suns on Saturday. After that, Harden, Westbrook, and the rest of the company play against the Sacramento Kings. The closing game of that tour through the West is going to be in San Francisco, against the Warriors.