LOS ANGELES, March 18 (Ticker) -- Michael Olowokandi had 26 points and 11 rebounds and Elton Brand 20 and 12 as the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Rockets, 93-86, to pull within two games of Utah for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot.

NBA TV highlights from Rockets-Clippers: 56k | 300k Elton Brand goes for the block on Eddie Griffin in the Clippers' win. Andrew D. BernsteinNBAE/Getty Images

After Houston pulled within 85-83 on a pair of free throws by Cuttino Mobley with 2:10 remaining, Darius Miles hit 1-of-2 free throws to give the Clippers a three-point edge. Brand then blocked Walt Williams' 3-point attempt and the Clippers scored the next three points on a technical free throw by Jeff McInnis and a jumper in the paint by reserve Doug Overton with 25 seconds left.

"He's a guy that has confidence with himself," Clippers coach Alvin Gentry said of Overton, who backed down Steve Francis before turning around and nailing his jumper. "That's why I stuck him in there. I told him he was going to have to create a play. The play at the end of the game, I think that's a veteran play."

Pleased with Overton's play, the Clippers recently signed the guard to a second 10-day contract.

Mobley hit a rainbow 3-pointer three seconds after Overton's jumper to make it 89-86, but McInnis and Brand iced the game with a pair of free throws apiece.

Los Angeles made 23-of-31 free throws, while Houston made just 6-of-10.

"I don't even want to talk about the game," Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "I think we've been playing good, but we have had a tough week. We have had a real rough week."

On Saturday, the Rockets lost at home to Chicago in overtime, 114-112, when Jalen Rose hit a jumper at the buzzer.

In this one, Francis had 23 points and Mobley 21 for the Rockets, who lost forwards Kenny Thomas (left quardriceps strain) and Eddie Griffin (left ankle sprain) in the second quarter. Neither player returned.

Without their big men, the Rockets were outrebounded, 45-31.

The Clippers led at the half, 45-37, after Olowokandi scored 20 points on 10-of-15 shooting.

"When he is going that well, we need to find a way to get him the ball more, especially if he's going the way he started out," Gentry said.

"I thought our defense was pretty good tonight," Francis said. "(But) Mike Olowokandi had the best game I've ever seen him play."

Los Angeles was up by 11 in the third quarter before the Rockets rallied to take its first lead, 55-54, midway through the period.

"You're going to be down in games," Francis said. "It's the way you respond, the way you react to getting back in the game. We reacted but we weren't able to make the shots."

Los Angeles reclaimed the lead for good on a tip by Quentin Richardson to make it 67-65 in the final minute of the quarter.

Los Angeles has won eight of its last 11 games, while Houston dropped its second straight contest after a three-game winning streak.

"It's a great win for us," Gentry said. "Anytime you can get a win at this stage of the game, it is going to be a great win. Everything is going to be tough from here on out, and every win is crucial."

"It was very critical that we won tonight, and that we go up to Golden State (on Tuesday) and we play well," Brand said. "We have some tough games, and mostly back-to-backs. We have to really hone down and win if we want to keep chasing Utah and (seventh-place) Seattle."