Rockets shoot past Clippers
LOS ANGELES -- James Harden scored 26 points and Ryan Anderson contributed 23, and the Houston Rockets buried the Los Angeles Clippers 122-103 on Wednesday night at Staples Center.
Anderson connected on 6 of 11 from 3-point range and added seven rebounds for the Houston, which hammered the Clippers for the second time this season. The Rockets (43-19) rolled to a 140-116 win over the Clippers on Dec. 30 at Houston.
Nene scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds off the bench for Houston. Patrick Beverley, Clint Capela and Eric Gordon added 14 points apiece for the Rockets, who won for the seventh time in nine games. Harden handed out nine assists.
Blake Griffin had 17 points and Chris Paul finished with 16 points and 11 assists for the Clippers, who have dropped three of the past four contests. Austin Rivers also scored 16 points, and Luc Mbah a Moute had 13.
The Rockets made 20 of 52 (38.5 percent) from long distance compared to 12 of 34 (35.3 percent) for the Clippers. Houston was 9 of 15 (60 percent) from behind the arc to 1 of 7 (14.3 percent) for Los Angeles in the pivotal third quarter, when the Rockets took command.
The Rockets turned a 12-point advantage at the break into a 30-point deficit in the third. Houston held a 108-78 lead heading into the final quarter.
The Clippers (36-24) led 37-34 after one quarter, but the Rockets dictated in the second. They outscored Los Angeles 36-21 in the period for a 70-58 halftime lead.
The Rockets scored at least 100 points for a club-record 48th game in a row.
NOTES: G Lou Williams needed little time to blend into the Rockets' offense. "I think it took about 35 seconds," Houston coach Mike D'Antoni joked. D'Antoni turned serious. "He's really been a great addition. He's just a guy who knows how to score, a professional scorer. It's fun to watch, I know that much." Williams, a former Laker, scored five points Wednesday in his return to Staples Center. ... Clippers coach Doc Rivers said the Rockets' knack for spreading defenses is a major reason Houston's up-tempo attack is so tough to defend. ... Houston has scored at least 120 points in six of its past nine contests. ... The Rockets host the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. ... The Clippers visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday before playing the Bulls in Chicago on Saturday.