The Rockets outscored the Clippers in the fourth quarter

This Tuesday saw the first round of a “back-to-back” matchup between the Clippers and Rockets at the Toyota Center in Houston. The first minutes of the game are a clash of styles between the two teams. On the one hand, the Texans focus on the 3-point shot, while the Californians emphasize the paint game.

When Benedict Maturin (9 points, 7 rebounds) makes his first appearance in the colors of the Clippers, immediately finds himself Derrick Jones Jr. which is open for 3 points. However, after twelve minutes of play, the Rockets lead by a point (27-26).

Progress that has not lasted since then Kawhi Leonard (24 points, 8 rebounds) gives his team the lead with a shot from the middle to open the second quarter. The two teams continue to fight blow for blow and in the end it is Tyronn Lue’s men who dominate the debates when they return to the locker room (52-51).

After a break, the locals begin to breathe. 3-point basket Reed Sheppard gives them a six-point lead and at the end of the third quarter, Alperen Sengun makes two baskets in paint (78-72).

The Clippers shoot at the end of the match

Sailboats are under water and Dorian Finney-Smith pushes them a little further by making his only 3-point shot of the night. in the process, Amen Thompson take advantage of losing the ball Janić Konan-Niederhauser to finish in a counterattack.

Conversely, the Clippers offense is no longer there. We had to wait more than four minutes in this last act and an “and one” from Benedict Maturin to see Los Angeles score its first basket of the game (89-76). Except the damage is already done and the Rockets take a more than 15-point lead after Reid Shepard’s long shot to the head Brooke Lopez. Tyronn Lue decides to open his bench, the opportunity to Isaiah Jackson, recovered in transfer ofIvica Zubac, to play the first minutes with the Clippers.

Surprisingly, the guests did not give up and even got back to seven points in three minutes. A burst of pride that does not change the outcome of this match because the Rockets do not tremble from free throws like the last two successful attempts Kevin Durant (26 points, 6 rebounds).

So the Rockets won this first round with a score of 102-95 before welcoming the Clippers again this Wednesday.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

The All-Stars responded. During this match there were three All-Stars on the court. For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard finished with 24 points, marking his 32nd straight 20-point game. However, the Californian winger was not proficient and finished at just 28% from distance (2/7). For Houston, Kevin Durant contributed 26 units, and in the third quarter, he had important shots that allowed the Texans to continue to lead debates. He was then tipped by Alperen Sengun to allow Houston to take a six-point lead into the fourth quarter. The Turk is the only one of the three All-Stars who was proficient and finished with 9/14 shooting.

The Rockets solved the turnover problem. The Rockets could have made it easy in the first half thanks to their 3-point prowess, but it wasn’t to be. The Texans ran into an aggressive Clippers defense. They had already committed ten turnovers by the time they got to the locker room and Chris Dunn made four interceptions. After halftime, the Rockets took more care of the ball and lost six turnovers in the second half alone.

The Clippers lose momentum in the fourth quarter. While holding the Texans for three quarters, the Californians came out firing in the final act. First, there was a four-minute deficit without a shot, then Tyronn Lue’s men lost four of their 11 possessions in the first half of the fourth quarter. Accordingly, Houston was able to increase the gap, and a burst of pride from the bench of Los Angeles did not change anything at the end of the meeting.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.