The Los Angeles Clippers started off the series like they were the better team. They led the series 3-1, but then the Houston Rockets made a historical comeback. Only 8 teams have ever comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA. After losing a 19 point lead in Game 6, the Clippers looked to finish off the series against the Houston Rockets who seemed to have all the momentum in the world in Game 7.
The Rockets controlled the entire game.
In the first half, Chris Paul did not record an assist until the last 2 minutes of the second quarter and that was unacceptable. The Rockets came out with the same energy that they ended off with in game 6 and that is what helped them win this game wire-to-wire. The Clippers never led this game, but they always held around the 5-8 point deficit point until the second half.
Everyone knew this would be a series that was dependant on the 3 point efficiency. The Los Angeles Clippers shot 25% throughout the game while the Rockets shot 40%. The Rockets made 31 of 41 free throws while the Clippers made 11. This was the first game that the team who won the rebounding category (Clippers) did not win the game. The story of the game: Momentum.
Blake Griffin had 27 points and 11 rebounds, DeAndre Jordan had 16 points and 17 rebounds, and Chris Paul had 26 & 10. James Harden had 31 points, and Trevor Ariza pitched in 22 points and 7 rebounds, with 6 3-point shots. The Rockets were controlling this game on all cylinders, and it’s kind of disappointing for the Clippers. Chris Paul has never made a conference finals. Doc Rivers becomes the first coach ever to lose multiple 3-1 series. The Rockets become the 2nd team (Celtics) to overcome a 3-1 deficit multiple times, and history is made.
For the Rockets, they will go on to play the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, and although it’s a hard matchup for them, they have a lot of momentum on their hands. For the Clippers, adversity is going to hit them like a rock. DeAndre Jordan is a free agent, who knows if this was the last game this team will ever play together.
