1 week Ago By Kristie Rieken, The Associated Press
HOUSTON (AP) — Jabari Smith Jr. had a season-high 28 points with five 3-pointers and the Houston Rockets never trailed in a 125-104 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night in their NBA Cup opener. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * HOUSTON (AP) — Jabari Smith Jr.
had a season-high 28 points with five 3-pointers and the Houston Rockets never trailed in a 125-104 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night in their NBA Cup opener. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? HOUSTON (AP) — Jabari Smith Jr. had a season-high 28 points with five 3-pointers and the Houston Rockets never trailed in a 125-104 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night in their NBA Cup opener.
It was Houston’s season-high fourth straight victory and the team’s second straight over the Clippers after getting a 111-103 win Wednesday night. The Rockets led comfortably throughout and used a big run in the third quarter to enter the fourth leading by 19. Fred VanVleet added 18 points and 10 assists for Houston and Dillon Brooks scored 17.
James Harden had 21 points for the Clippers, who lost their third straight after winning their previous four. He made three 3-pointers to move into a tie with Ray Allen (2,973) for second-most career 3-pointers behind Stephen Curry, who entered Friday with 3,779. Takeaways Clippers: Los Angeles was flat in its two games in Houston after its season-long winning streak.
They’ll need to regroup and find a way to get more production from their starting lineup while they await the return of Kawhi Leonard. He hasn’t played this season while rehabilitating his right knee. Rockets: Tari Eason and Amen Thompson again gave Houston a boost off the bench.
The two combined for 29 points after scoring 18 each in Wednesday’s win. Key moment The Clippers used a 6-2 run to get within 12 with about eight minutes left in the third quarter before Houston scored the next nine points to extend the lead to 79-58. Brooks started that run with a 3 before VanVleet found Jalen Green for an alley-oop dunk.
Key stat Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The Rockets had 20 fast-break points to just eight by the Clippers.
Up next The Rockets visit Chicago on Sunday night and the Clippers host Utah that night. ___ AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba Advertisement Advertisement.
