NBA Playoffs: Clippers Slight Favorites Over Rockets In Game 7

USA Today

The Los Angeles Clippers were on the verge of making franchise history on Thursday night in Game 6 of their second-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets. Los Angeles had the edge of playing at home at the Staples Center and were up as much as 19 points in the third quarter against Houston, but the fourth quarter was another story altogether.

With a win in Game 6, the Clippers would advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. Unfortunately for Chris Paul and company, Los Angeles simply couldn’t hold onto the lead even with Dwight Howard being a non-factor and MVP runner-up James Harden not playing a single minute in the fourth quarter.

Josh Smith and Corey Brewer led the way for the Rockets in the fourth quarter erasing the deficit and ultimately paving the way to victory on the Clippers’ home floor. The series will now head back to Houston for the decisive Game 7 and although the Clippers are coming off a demoralizing loss, Los Angeles are still the favorites to win on Sunday with a -2 point spread, according to Sportsbook.ag.

It has become abundantly clear the Clippers have turned the corner during this playoff run. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin have shown they can lead this team during the postseason, but now the team is in danger of being eliminated heading into Game 7.

If the Clippers do fall to Kevin McHale’s squad on Sunday, the attention will turn to the direction of the franchise. Los Angeles may attempt to make some major moves in the offseason in order to shake things up and potentially try to bolster the bench which seems to be their biggest weakness.