While Russell Westbrook came to sit on the bench, it was Paul George who started this game with a very successful start to the match. He made several baskets and quickly posted 13 points to his personal score. The winger carries the Clippers, who dominate the first quarter (29-23). At the start of the second, the Rockets went up a notch in defense and the Californians suffocated. They only find air on free throws, because otherwise they lose balls and miss shots. They take more than five minutes to score one in the second act.
Alperen Sengun, Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green hit 3-pointers and Houston went in front. When they reach the locker room, Ime Udoka’s troops are in front by a short head (48-50) but it’s logical. With a good Kawhi Leonard and James Harden in the rhythm, the Clippers regain control after the break. Houston responds with a 9-2 but Paul George’s basket at the buzzer gives Tyronn Lue’s men the lead (79-77).
In the last quarter, both teams have their highlight. The Rockets go 9-0 in one minute, the Clippers react with a 12-2. Good defensive actions and a connection that works between Harden and Ivica Zubac and Los Angeles seems to have the upper hand. It is nevertheless the 2018 MVP who will conclude, typically in his style, with a 3-point shot plus the foul! 106-100 victory for the Clippers, the first with the bearded man. Finally !
What you must remember
End of series for both teams. The Rockets had six wins in a row, the Clippers had six losses in a row. Ultimately, the two series ended on the same evening even though Houston was really not far from achieving an eighth victory in a row. It should also be noted that the Clippers won their first close match of the season, after five failures so far.
James Harden’s best game. Was the former Houston player freed by Russell Westbrook’s choice to now start matches on the bench? Maybe. In any case, in addition to his winning shot, he achieved his best performance since the start of the season with 24 points at 8/11 shooting, 9 rebounds and 7 assists.
Westbrook 6th man. As he had proposed, Russell Westbrook started on the bench, while Terance Mann started. The two didn’t have a great night, but on the other hand, James Harden had his best game.
Tops/Flops
✅Kawhi Leonard. He took a while to get started, not wanting to force things. But then, the double MVP of the Finals did a lot of good for the Clippers. He scored 26 points at 8/16 shooting, with 8 rebounds and above all 5 stolen balls.
⛔️Dillon Brooks. After a cloudy start to the season, he has been suffering offensively for a few days and this match in Los Angeles will not reassure him. The former Memphis player especially stood out in defense, with six fouls. Because in attack, his 4 points at 2/6 on the shoot are meager.
⛔️ Paul George. His 23 points and his shot at the buzzer in the third quarter should not create any illusions. The Los Angeles star started strong with a 4/5 in the shoot, then nothing worked. “PG13” was hampered by Brooks’ rough defense, and lacked lucidity, accumulating errors, between missed shots (8/22 shooting), lost balls and offensive fouls.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
