Rockets 95 - 110 Clippers
Final
  for this game

Clippers return home to host Rockets

Feb 11, 2015 - 3:15 PM

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(SportsNetwork.com) - The Los Angeles Clippers are finally back at Staples Center and their homecoming gift from the NBA is a date with the Houston Rockets Wednesday night.

The Clippers finished an eight-game road trip at 3-5. Along the way, LA lost All-Star power forward Blake Griffin, who had surgery to remove a staph infection on his elbow. He's expected to miss the rest of February.

Los Angeles will play its first three games at home following the All-Star break. Chris Paul will represent the Clippers at Madison Square Garden Sunday night.

The Clippers ended a four-game losing streak on the trip with a 115-98 victory Monday over the Dallas Mavericks.

DeAndre Jordan's monster effort on the glass helped the Clippers overcome the loss of Griffin, at least for one game. Jordan posted 22 points and a career- high 27 rebounds to lead Los Angeles.

Jordan was awesome during the Clippers annual Grammy road trip. The NBA's leading rebounder collected his second 20-20 game over his last five.

"Jordan was - I don't know why people don't vote for him. It's too late. But, my gosh - 27 and 22 is dominant," Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said of his center.

Paul tallied 25 points and 13 assists and Jamal Crawford poured in 22 points off the bench to help LA snap its four-game skid. J.J. Redick returned from back spasms with 15 points and Matt Barnes chipped in 12.

The Rockets have won three of their last four and seven of nine. They started this road trip to close out the unofficial first half of the season with a 127-118 win Tuesday over the Phoenix Suns.

James Harden went for 40 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists to help Houston move to 3-0 against the Suns this season. He started the fourth quarter with a four-point play and netted 20 points over the final 12 minutes to help put the game away.

"James played really, really well," praised coach Kevin McHale. "He's been playing at a high level."

This was Harden's second straight 40-point game. Only Thunder guard Russell Westbrook has consecutive 40-point games this season.

Josh Smith scored 20 off the bench and Patrick Beverley totaled 15 points, six rebounds and six assists in the win. Corey Brewer added 14, followed by 12 from Donatas Motiejunas and 10 out of Trevor Ariza.

Phoenix cut the gap to five with about four minutes to go, but Harden scored on four straight possessions after that. Brewer's corner 3 with a minute left proved to be the dagger.

The Rockets continue this road trip after the break in Dallas.

The Clippers have won five straight against the Rockets and six in a row as the host in this series.






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