NBA Playoffs Rd 2/Game 5: Houston Rockets Slaughter LA Clippers 124-103

ByBrian K. Patterson|May 13, 2015, 12:58 AM EDT

Whew!

The air has been let out of just about every Houston Rockets fan that you can think of!

I have to admit — I had my concerns in regard to how the Rockets would perform tonight.

They’d either come out as if there’s no tomorrow and give it all they could or do a belly-flop rolling over in the process.

Thank goodness it was the first of the two mentioned.

This was what I’ve wanted to see out of the Rockets this whole series, hell, for even before that!

During the series with the Dallas Mavericks, the Rockets were not playing their best basketball but because they were simply the better team, we won that series by default.

I’d be lying if I told you that our beloved team gave 100 percent effort in that series.

And this series?

Even less up until this point — just think if the Rockets had given that said effort, they wouldn’t be in the predicament that they’re currently in.

This team has an immense hole to climb out of but it’s not impossible for us to elevate all the way to the top.

It’s just going to take a lot of grit, sweat, strain and some elbow grease to get the job done.

I have no doubt that we can do that.

But let’s talk about how our beat down of the Los Angeles Clippers tonight came to fruition.

Things were quite close in the 1st quarter withDwight Howardleading the charge, he played with a sense of urgency, just as he has all series but he stepped it up a notch in the quarter.

He helped the Rockets pull away to take a five-point lead at the end of the quarter — 27-22 — and had nine points to his credit.

In the 2nd quarter, the Rockets continued to keep the pedal to the metal and took a nine point lead with 7:12 left after aJames Hardensignature step-back.Rockets 41, Clippers 32

But don’t forget about the dunk thatClint Capelahad! This guy re-defined the laws of gravity as he sailed his way to the basket with 10:28 left!

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Man, it’s great to see that kid come along! So proud!

But the Clippers did creep back in and got within two of the Rockets after aSpencer Hawesthree-pointer. Rockets 48, Clippers 46

This was the completion of mind-boggling 14-2 run as the Rockets went flat for a little while.

But they picked up their offense and before you knew it, they were up 63-48 at the half.

Harden had 17 points and Howard had 15 points — our two cornerstones getting the job done with authority!

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After the half, the Rockets pretty much had this game under wraps, the Clippers never recovered from there and the Rockets kept their lead well above the 20-point margin range for thee rest of the way.Final Score: Rockets 124, Clippers 103

It was absolutely impressive to see these Rockets do work and they played hard on both ends of the court — something we’ve been longing to see for quite some time!

Harden led the Rockets with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists — a memorable triple-double for this series and to show that he wasn’t going to be the reason the Rockets would falter.

What was also confirmed after the game was that he was battling an illnesshe seemed to have difficulty breathing and coughed profusely so I have even more respect for the Beard than I had before!

Way to go!

Luckily they didn’t.

Howard had 20/15,Trevor Arizahad 22/8,Corey Brewerthrew in 15 points andTerrence Joneshad 12.

This was all with the adjustment of startingJosh Smithand it seems it worked well forTerrence Joneswhere we saw a slight uptick in energy but his production still remains on par.

He’s still a 12/6 guy when it all comes down to it.

Six Rockets players were in double-figures — withJason Terryfilling out the list!

Blake Griffinled the Clips with 30/16 andChris Paulhad 22 points and 10 dimes.