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The Houston Rockets came out with an edge once again Thursday night knowing if they lost they’d be going home.
James Harden started Houston off with 21 points in the first half, but Blake Griffin’s 22 first half points helped keep the Clippers in the game.
Blake Griffin ended up with 28 points and 8 rebounds looked determined to get The Clippers to advance tonight. The Rockets tried to get physical with him which didn’t work, he made his usual highlight reel plays,and even hit this ridiculous circus shot.
The Rockets tried to double team Griffin in the paint which shows a sign of respect and how well Griffin has progressed this season.
The Clippers would close out a big third quarter up 92-79 and it looked to be over for Houston.
The Los Angeles Clippers going into the fourth quarter with a lead and things seemed to be going well as they looked ahead to the Western Conference Finals, but maybe they looked ahead too soon.
The Rockets would spark a comeback where Corey Brewer scored 15 of his 19 points and Josh Smith would score 14 fourth quarter points.
The Clippers would score 15 points in the fourth to The Rockets 40, and Houston would shock the Clippers forcing a Game 7 with the 119-107 win.
Head Coach Kevin McHale was proud of his group that accomplished a lot to even this series after being down 3-1.
“That group just went out there and they just scrambled, they fought and they played their tails off on defense,” Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. “They had a great sense about them that they were going to accomplish something.” –ESPN.com
James Harden was 5/20 from the field sat out a good portion of the fourth quarter Thursday, but Kevin McHale was just going with the hot hands that helped The Rockets get back in the game.
The Rockets look to upset The Clippers in Game 7 Sunday and this one should be interesting as things got a little physical in Game 6, but Game 7 means a lot more and the players will fight to move on Sunday.
Notable Stats: Chris Paul had 31 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds for The Clippers Thursday night
