Clippers Make a Statement, Expose Rockets' Discipline Gaps in 128-108 Win

What was supposed to be a scheduled blowout turned into a statement win- just not for the team anyone expected.

The Houston Rockets walked into Los Angeles looking to turn around what’s been a rough road trip, but instead ran into a Clippers team that played one of its cleanest, most disciplined games of the season.

Houston actually came out hot to start the night behind sharp shooting and strong pace. Jabari Smith Jr. was on fire from deep, while James Harden opened 0-for-4 as the Rockets took control. Houston seemed ready to steady themselves after losing the last three of four road games on their six-game road trip. Houston closed the first quarter up 35-29.

Then, the game flipped.

The second quarter belonged to the Clippers. Los Angeles caught fire from three, going 8-for-15 from deep and quickly erasing Houston’s early lead. There was ridiculous shot-making on both ends of the court, but what made all the difference was security. The Rockets kept giving it away racking up six turnovers by halftime, while the Clippers collected just two.

Los Angeles outscored Houston 34-23 in the quarter with Kawhi Leonard pouring 11 into the second alone. By the break, the Clippers controlled the game, 69-58.

By halftime, the numbers told the story. While both teams shot at 51.1-percent from the field, the shot profile wasn’t close. Most notably, Los Angeles had already made ten threes on 22 attempts, while Houston struggled to knock down just five on 16 tries. Harden was controlling the tempo and Leonard was finding his spots over and over, and Houston couldn’t slow either one of them down.

The third quarter was both eventful and unforgiving for the Rockets. Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson found some rhythm together, with Sengun up to seven assists midway through the frame.

But, then, not one, but two offensive three-second violations were called on the Rockets – rare calls that kill rhythm- halted momentum at the worst possible times for Houston. Kevin Durant tried to enter takeover mode, but the Clippers just kept answering.

Leonard didn’t let up, while Harden drew fouls, and the team shot 80-percent from the floor in the quarter, pushing the Clippers’ lead to 17. For a Los Angeles team known for struggling after halftime, they certainly leaned in this time.

By the fourth, the game was over. Even with Houston fighting on the glass, they couldn’t convert those rebounds into second-chance points that tend to carry their offense. Durant and Sengun stayed on the bench until the last five minutes, but there was no real chance at coming back.

Leonard played through every coverage, including physical doubles, and finished off his night with 41 on absurd efficiency. Harden put up another 29, as the Clippers stretched their lead to 26.

Los Angeles managed to hold the third highest scoring team in the NBA to just 108 points. They won the turnover battle, dominated the perimeter, and most importantly, took away Houston’s second chances. The Rockets were simply out-executed.

Final: 128-108 Clippers

Kudos to the Clippers on their impressive statement win. One of the oldest and most experienced teams showed out against a true top contender and won. For the Rockets, this will serve as a humbling reminder that discipline still beats talent when it’s locked in.

Clippers Make a Statement, Expose Rockets’ Discipline Gaps in 128-108 Win

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