Terance Mann and Kawhi Leonard were safe against the Rockets

In a difficult period, the Clippers, in addition to the top two scorers at home this Sunday, Jalen Green (jewel) and Kevin Porter Jr., played to scare themselves against the latter who touched his leg.

Because the first three quarters were fairly balanced, on the one hand, the trio of Gordon-Martin Jr.-Seng allowed Houston to compete in front, and against the pair of Mann-Leonard, it gave them the opportunity to respond and keep the Clippers in the game.

Before the start of the fourth quarter (91-90), the Californians, who were in the lead with several brilliant shots by Kawhi Leonard, rushed to put the Rockets in doubt again from the beginning of the last movement.

The locals went on a 12-2 run, aided twice by Robert Covington, Norman Powell, Reggie Jackson, and capped off by Moses Brown’s (103-92) strikeout.

Tari Eason’s dunk to stop the bleeding wasn’t enough to turn the tide one last time. On the contrary, it was in favor of the Clippers (112-98) five minutes after the 2+1 and the best player of the match, Terance Mann, followed by a 3-pointer. Norman Powell’s 3-pointer and Moses Brown’s dunk ended the show with a 121-100 victory.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– A matter of habit. Rockets games this season fall into two categories. There are meetings that turn into butchers, like the last two against Sacramento. And then there are games where the Rockets go three quarters, sometimes longer, and almost always collapse. So the Clippers’ devastating streak early in the fourth quarter seemed like deja vu for Stephen Silas and his troops.

– One-sided fourth quarter. The Rockets, less intense, less inspired and less skilled, sabotaged a remarkable performance in three quarters with that 12-2 run that spanned more than four minutes, giving the Clippers the freedom to win. After arrival, this 30-10 cash 12 minutes, the note is salty.

TOPS/FLOPS

✅ Terence Mann. His best game of the season so far! A nearly perfect score for the Clippers leader with great efficiency (12/16 shooting) and two moves to match his performance to relieve tension in the final act.

✅ Kawhi Leonard. He sensed the urgency and stepped in when the Clippers needed him, such as late in the third quarter, when he chained together several crucial moves to get his nation back on track. .

⛔️ Rocket launchers. A dismal 7/31 from 3-point range, contrasting with the Clippers’ 14/32. Texans shooters were not in the party between Eric Gordon (1/5), even if he compensated with his aggressiveness against the circle, Garrison Matthews (1/5) and Josh Christopher (0/6).

NEXT

Los Angeles (23-22): The Clippers will host the Sixers this Tuesday (04:00).

Houston (10-33): Back in Los Angeles for the Rockets, who face the Lakers this Monday night (4:30).