NBA Playoffs Rd 2/Game 2: Houston Rockets Skirt LA Clippers 115-109
May 6, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) dribbles the ball during the first half as Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) defends in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Clippers 115-109 to tie the series at 1-1. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
At the start of the 2nd half, the Rockets started to chip away at their deficit slowly but surely.
They finally got within striking distance with 1:48 left when the Beard knocked down two free throws to pull within five points — 85-80.
This was after a previous 10-2 run that Rockets had put together to close within six points with 7:34 left in the quarter. Jason Terry had nailed a nice pull-up to get the team and the crowd back into the game.
The Rockets would eventually end the quarter within two points of the Clips, trailing 85-83.
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Then the 4th quarter happened!
Somehow, the Rockets confidence and momentum shot up to the stratosphere and the Rockets back their lead as if someone stole it away from them.
They led by as much as nine with 7:36 left after Corey Brewer sunk both his free throws as usual to put the Rockets up 100-91.
The Clips got close one more time after Barnes nailed a long-range jumper that put down by only with the Rockets leading 109-105 with 1:27 left.
Not surprisingly, D12 was sent to the line down the stretch but he sunk both free throws in clutch fashion.
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The Beard saw the rest of this game through by making his free throws when called upon and the Rockets found themselves recipients of a 115-109 win!
The Beard look a lot better in this outing and was present when he was needed the most — he finished up with 32 points and seven assists.
He still seemed be out-of-sync and not able to find a rhythm at times during the game though.
D12 was incredible — he had 24 points and 16 rebounds but was 8-for-21 from the charity stripe.
Just think about if he sunk those free throws, the Rockets would’ve had an extra 13 points to play around with!
Howard has to continue to keep practicing this important skill set because he certainly has nowhere to go but up!
Trevor Ariza threw in 15/10 for the Rockets.
Griffin had 34 points/15 rebounds — it goes to show how far he has progressed as a professional and the Clippers have been the benefactors.
He has been on a tear — up until this game, had three triple-doubles in the past eight playoff games, not an easy feat.
The last time that had been done was when Magic Johnson did so back in 1982.
Jordan added 16 points/12 rebounds.
Although this game wasn’t the most refined offensively/defensively, the Rockets did what they needed to do to win.
I’d like to see more instances where the Rockets are keyed into this because the national perception of our team is not of a good light and they’re not taking us seriously.
Let’s hope they do.
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The series resumes Friday as the stage shifts to the STAPLES Center where both teams will square off.
Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CDT.
The game will be televised on ESPN and broadcast on NewsRadio 740 AM (KTRH).
Go Rockets!
Next: Four Reasons Why The Beard Was Robbed Of The MVP Award