The Rockets avoided their first three-game losing streak of the season with a heart-racing 100-98 win over the Clippers.
The Rockets couldn’t hit a three in the first as they went 0-9 in the opening quarter as the Clippers hit six of their nine attempts, led by 4-4 3PTM by Matt Barnes.
The Rockets only trailed by eight after one due to attacking the rim (eight of their first 11 points came in the paint) and their ability to get to the line. They took 11 free throws compared to just four by L.A.
Patrick Beverley broke the Rockets’ deep ball drought in the second and Barnes got sidetracked from drilling threes for L.A. when he was called for a flagrant-1 against Harden. The scuffle lit a fire under the Rockets and they erased a 10-point deficit with a 13-2 run to grab the lead.
Trevor Ariza was key in the rally as he scored 14 in the half, but the flagrant especially sparked the Beard. Harden scored 18 of his 24 first-half points in the second and went into the locker room with an eight-point lead. Harden scored his 24 on just 5-7 FG and 11-11 FT.
Harden added six more in the third as the Rockets build a game-high 15-point lead. After keeping turnovers in check most of the night (only four in the first half), the Rockets had three consecutive to allow the Clippers to go on a 7-0 run and cut the lead to single digits before Houston closed out the quarter with a 10-point lead.
Houston then started cold in the fourth, hitting just five of their first 17 field goal attempts as the Clippers rallied to tie it at 96 with a little over two minutes left. However, as the Rockets were missing, Terrence Jones was following them with clutch tips. Jones finished with his eighth double-double of the season and double-digit rebounds for his fourth straight game (the longest streak of his career).
With the game on the line, Blake Griffin stole the ball and broke for the basket, but was called for a crucial offensive foul. The Rockets were then able to close out the game with Harden on the line – where he went 17-18 and finished with 34 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Chris Paul did get a look at a game-tying shot, but Trevor Ariza was all over him forcing the miss. Ariza finished with 19 points and nine boards to go along with his game-saving defense.
The Rockets return home to face Orlando on Tuesday.