Rockets Lose to Clippers, Remain Sixth in the West
The Southwest division of the NBA has three teams in the top six in the Western Conference standings. San Antonio leads the division and is in second place in the West just 1½ games behind front running Oklahoma City.
The Houston Rockets are in second place in the division and in fifth in the conference standings 4 games behind OKC, while Dallas is third in the division and sixth in conference 7 ½ games behind the Thunder.
Houston prior to last night’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, was 8-1 over its past 9 games overall.
The Rockets visited the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night and were defeated soundly by the Clippers 101-93.
The game featured two of the highest scoring teams in the NBA in what could be a prelude to a playoff series in the Western Conference.
The Rockets trailed after three quarters 74-73 and for many the game was over then. The Clippers at home are 21-0 when they enter the fourth quarter with a lead.
Dwight Howard had 23 points to lead the Rockets and rebounded well for Houston. However, Howard received very little help from his Rockets teammates on the boards. The Clippers controlled the glass thanks to the work of DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin.
The Rockets battled back from an early 13-point deficit to take the lead for the first time with 9 minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Houston was playing its fifth and final game of a five game road trip over a period of just nine days and considering that, they played well. However, they looked tired and out of sorts which was evident with their 20 turnovers.
James Harden, the Rockets leading scorer who had 13 points in the first two quarters, was locked up well in the second half by the Clippers’ Nick Collison.
Houston did receive good play from forward Jordan Hamilton who just came to the team from the Denver Nuggets in a recent trade. He provided the team with a spark from the bench, when the team’s other star players such as Harden were having an off night.
The move to Houston has seemed to payoff for Hamilton, but overall the Rockets just looked worn out from their long road trip and Hamilton’s intensity could not be matched by his teammates.
Chandler Parson did not have a strong game. He shot 3 for 13 with only 7 points. He made turnovers that he usually does not commit, which is another example of why the team looked sluggish and worn out.
Houston, which fell to 39-19 on the season, returns home to face the Detroit Pistons on Saturday. Two days rest should help the club recover from their trip.
Nevertheless, Houston has narrowed the lead by San Antonio in the Southwest and is preparing itself for its drive to the playoffs over their last 24 games of the regular season.
