Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Clippers Box Score on Apr 10, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Apr 11, 2017

LOS ANGELES -- Chris Paul scored 19 points and registered nine assists, and Blake Griffin added 18 points as the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Houston Rockets 125-96 on Monday.

The Clippers (50-31) earned their sixth consecutive win and their 10th in 12 games.

Jamal Crawford added 19 points off the bench, and DeAndre Jordan contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds.

If the Clippers win the final game of the season at home against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, they will host the Utah Jazz (50-31) in the first round of the playoffs. The Jazz could gain the home-court edge for the series against Los Angeles if they beat the visiting San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday and the Clippers lose.

Houston (54-27) lost for the second time in three games. Eric Gordon scored 17 points, and Montrezl Harrell, Troy Williams and Bobby Brown added 15 points apiece.

The Clippers shot 50.5 percent from the field (46 of 91). The Rockets shot 38.6 percent (33 of 84).

Los Angeles broke open a tight contest with a 24-3 run in the first eight minutes of the third quarter to extend its lead to 97-69 after three quarters.

Houston leading scorer James Harden (14 points, seven rebounds, six assists) picked up his fifth foul midway through the quarter and was forced to sit the final five minutes. The Clippers shot a blazing 66.7 percent (14 of 21), including 4 of 6 from three-point range, to decide the game. The Rockets scored a season-low 12 points in the quarter, shooting 5 of 21 from the field and 1 of 8 from 3-point range.

The Clippers led 61-57 at the half behind balanced scoring. Paul and Jordan each scored 12 points. Harden led Houston with 13 points and Ryan Anderson added 12 points.

NOTES: With nothing at stake for Houston, coach Mike D'Antoni rested C Clint Capela and C Nene. ... Rockets G Patrick Beverley (right shoulder strain) and F Sam Dekker (fractured right hand) missed the game due to injury. ... The Rockets end their regular season Wednesday at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves and will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in a best-of-seven first-round matchup. ... C Los Angeles G Chris Paul (18.7 ppg, 10.2 apg) and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson (20.7 ppg, 12.3 apg) are the only two players since 1983-84 to average 18 points and 10 assists in at least 15 games against the Rockets.