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Game Recap: Los Angeles Clippers Crush Houston Rockets 117-89

January 4th, 2012 at 10:45 PM
By Jesse Kass

Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol (16) grabs a rebound over Los Angeles Clippers left DeAndre Jordan (6) in the second half of their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles on December 21, 2011. The Clippers won 108 to 103. UPI/Lori Shepler
The Los Angeles Clippers raced out to early start, posting a monster 41 points in the first quarter, and never looked back Wednesday night, defeating the Houston Rockets in a rout, 117-89. The Clippers shot a blistering 58 percent from the field and had five players in double figures in a game that was never in doubt. The Clippers also unleashed "Lob City" in full form for the first time this season, as Chris Paul completed several masterful hookups with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, sending the packed Staples Center crowd into a frenzy.

Wednesday night's game also marked the return of Chauncey Billups who had a very efficient 13 points on 3-5 shooting in just 22 minutes. Billups was a big key in the Clippers 41-26 first quarter. The Clippers large lead also allowed for the Clippers to rest their starters for the entire fourth quarter, with no player logging more than 32 minutes. All 11 Clippers who got on the court Wednesday scored, including Rookie Travis Leslie, who scored his first NBA points on, you guessed it, a lob from former Georgia teammate and fellow Clippers Rookie Trey Thompkins.

Along with the Clippers offense truly clicking for the first time this season, the Clippers defense was once again stellar, holding the Rockets to 46 percent shooting and forcing them into 19 turnovers on the night. In contrast, the Clippers only turned the ball over seven times, while dishing 30 assists as a team.

Blake Griffin led the Clippers with 22 points, while Chris Paul controlled the game, scoring 20 points and dishing out 10 assists in just 29 minutes of play. The Clippers will next play Saturday night, at home against the Milwaukee. The two days off between games marks the fourth time in the Clippers five games that they have had at least two days off between days. It is a nice scheduling quirk that has allowed the Clippers extended practice time. On the flip side, the Los Angeles Lakers have played nine games already, including a back-to-back-to-back.

The win puts the Clippers over .500 and puts their record at 3-2.

Tags: Blake Griffin, Chauncey Billups, Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Houston Rockets, Lob City, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA

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