The Beard Shines Bright Against Kawhi and The Clippers
By John Holtz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 15 Nov 2019
LOS ANGELES -- James Harden, the NBA's current scoring leader, did his thing again dropping 47 points to lead his Houston Rockets to a big western conference win 102-93 against the fancied Clippers Wednesday night at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Harden started off hot and almost single-handedly outscored the Clippers in the 1st quarter 14 to 15. Harden demanded his coach to use their one challenge to review an offensive foul called on him early on and it was actually reversed which is unusual with this new rule this season. The other half of the dynamic duo Russell Westbrook got in early foul trouble with 4 fouls in the 1st quarter but still contributed with 17 points including some big shots late in the 4th to help the Rockets improve to 8-3.
Clippers came out sluggish and dug themselves in an early 17 point hole. Kawhi led the Clippers to a stellar 2nd half comeback with 26 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists but they ran out of gas in clutch time. Green and Zubac played like different people in the 2nd half, hitting 3's, finishing in the lane and showed the never say quit attitude the Clippers are known for in a heart breaking loss to fall 7-4 in the standings.
Clippers billionaire owner Steve Ballmer made the trip and so did his intensity, shouting "Defense" courtside throughout the night.
Clippers coach Doc Rivers lost his cool arguing about a lost timeout at the end of the game and his baby boy, Austin Rivers of the Rockets got his wish for his pops to get a T and was then thrown out of the game.
Clippers head to New Orleans tomorrow as Paul George is set to make his debut against the Pelicans.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by John Holtz.
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