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Clippers aim to bounce back vs. McGrady-less Rockets

Dec 3, 2008 - 2:56 PM LA Clippers (3-14) at Houston (11-7) 8:30 p.m. EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Just when it looked like the Los Angeles Clippers might finally put a pair of wins together, they turned back into pumpkins.

The Clippers will be looking to shake off a tough loss when they visit the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

After snapping a four-game slide and picking up its third win of the season Saturday against Miami, Los Angeles was on the verge of win No. 4, leading the Dallas Mavericks by eight points with 5:01 left to play Tuesday.

But the Clippers collapsed, managing just two points the rest of the way to fall, 100-98. Baron Davis missed three shots, including a 3-point attempt at the buzzer, and committed a turnover down the stretch.

One continuing bright spot for Los Angeles was the play of newcomer Zach Randolph, who posted 27 points and 10 rebounds vs. Dallas after collecting 27 and 13 against the Heat in his first start since coming over from the New York Knicks.

The Rockets are reeling as well, dealing with the familiar situation of being without superstar Tracy McGrady for an extended period of time.

McGrady claims that he rushed back from his offseason knee operation and that he will need more time to recover from the injury that has plagued him throughout the first month of this

season. He expects to be out until Christmas.

His loss is no surprise to Houston, which has watched its franchise swingman play an average of 61 games over the past three seasons due to injury.

The Rockets have lost two of three since McGrady began missing games on November 26.