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 Houston tied the series at one game apiece with Wednesday’s 115-109
victory as it set franchise playoff records for free throws made
(42) and attempted (64) and received 32 points from star guard James
Harden. “I knew my team was battling extremely hard and, basically,
it was up to me to go out there and push us forward,” Harden told
reporters. The Clippers continue to get big outings from power
forward Blake Griffin, who had 34 points and 15 rebounds in Game 2
for his ninth straight double-double of the postseason. “It
definitely feels like we let one get away,” Griffin told reporters.
“We came here to win two but we’ve got to protect home court now. We
can’t hang our heads.”
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
ABOUT THE ROCKETS: Center Dwight Howard has played like the dominant
star he once was in the first two games and contributed 24 points,
16 rebounds and four blocks in Game 2. His knee injury is now behind
him and he is averaging 23 points, 13 rebounds and 4.5 blocks while
making 17-of-24 field-goal attempts. “At this point, it’s win or go
home,” Howard told reporters. “You have to continue to play hard and
you get through whatever. It is going to be tough out there every
night. Every possession counts.”
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS: Coach Doc Rivers expects Paul to return at some
point in the series but it doesn’t seem like Friday is even remotely
possible since Paul has yet to resume running. “It’s really tough,
especially with the way that I play, there’s only way I know how to
play,” Paul told reporters. “It’s one of those things where you
don’t want to make it worse than it already is.” Austin Rivers has
started at the point in Paul’s absence and is averaging 13.5 points
and 2.5 assists in the series.
[to top of second column] |
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Rockets SF Trevor Ariza recorded a double-double (15 points, 13
rebounds) in Game 2.
2. Los Angeles SG Jamal Crawford is averaging 20 points in the
series but is just 14-of-40 from the field.
3. Houston G Corey Brewer was fined $5,000 by the NBA on Thursday
for flopping in Game 2.
PREDICTION: Clippers 105, Rockets 104
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