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LA CLIPPERS
HOUSTON |
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214.5
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Final
115 |
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| Western Conference - Semifinals - Best of 7 - Game 2 - LAC Leads 1-0 | | |  | |
| 715 | LA CLIPPERS | 213.5 | 214 | | 716 | HOUSTON | -6.5 | -7 |
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| All Games | 61-29 | +5.4 | 41-48 | 43-46 | 106.5 | 53.1 | 47.2% | 52.2 | 100.4 | 50.0 | 44.3% | 52.1 | | Road Games | 29-16 | +11.7 | 24-20 | 25-19 | 106.9 | 52.9 | 47.4% | 51.0 | 102.1 | 51.6 | 45.2% | 51.3 | | Last 5 Games | 4-1 | +5.9 | 3-2 | 4-1 | 110.2 | 51.8 | 49.8% | 53.8 | 104.4 | 51.2 | 45.1% | 52.2 | | Playoff Games | 5-3 | +4.6 | 4-4 | 5-3 | 104.7 | 49.1 | 46.9% | 55.4 | 103.1 | 49.6 | 44.9% | 53.9 |
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| Team Stats (All Games) | 106.5 | 53.1 | 39-83 | 47.2% | 10-26 | 37.4% | 18-26 | 70.5% | 52 | 10 | 25 | 21 | 8 | 12 | 5 | | vs opponents surrendering | 100.1 | 49.8 | 38-84 | 44.9% | 8-22 | 35.0% | 17-23 | 74.9% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 5 | | Team Stats (Road Games) | 106.9 | 52.9 | 40-84 | 47.4% | 10-27 | 37.4% | 17-24 | 71.1% | 51 | 10 | 23 | 22 | 8 | 11 | 4 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 100.4 | 50.0 | 37-83 | 44.3% | 8-24 | 35.0% | 19-26 | 73.5% | 52 | 11 | 23 | 22 | 7 | 14 | 3 | | vs opponents averaging | 100.6 | 50.2 | 38-84 | 45.0% | 8-23 | 35.1% | 17-23 | 75.3% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 5 | | Stats Against (Road Games) | 102.1 | 51.6 | 37-81 | 45.2% | 9-25 | 36.5% | 19-26 | 74.8% | 51 | 10 | 23 | 21 | 6 | 14 | 3 |
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| All Games | 60-28 | +15 | 52-35 | 45-43 | 104.5 | 53.7 | 44.5% | 53.6 | 101.2 | 50.6 | 44.4% | 53.9 | | Home Games | 33-12 | +7.3 | 29-16 | 21-24 | 104.0 | 54.4 | 44.2% | 54.0 | 98.6 | 49.3 | 43.4% | 54.2 | | Last 5 Games | 3-2 | -1.7 | 3-2 | 3-2 | 110.8 | 55.4 | 46.7% | 56.0 | 111.8 | 56.0 | 46.1% | 55.8 | | Playoff Games | 4-2 | -0.7 | 4-2 | 4-2 | 112.0 | 56.0 | 46.4% | 56.3 | 111.2 | 55.8 | 45.8% | 56.5 |
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| Team Stats (All Games) | 104.5 | 53.7 | 37-83 | 44.5% | 11-32 | 34.8% | 19-27 | 71.1% | 54 | 12 | 22 | 22 | 9 | 16 | 5 | | vs opponents surrendering | 100.4 | 50.1 | 38-84 | 44.9% | 8-23 | 35.2% | 17-23 | 74.9% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 20 | 8 | 14 | 5 | | Team Stats (Home Games) | 104.0 | 54.4 | 37-83 | 44.2% | 11-33 | 35.3% | 19-27 | 70.4% | 54 | 11 | 22 | 21 | 10 | 16 | 6 | | Stats Against (All Games) | 101.2 | 50.6 | 38-86 | 44.4% | 7-23 | 32.3% | 18-24 | 75.1% | 54 | 12 | 21 | 21 | 9 | 15 | 5 | | vs opponents averaging | 100.8 | 50.3 | 38-84 | 45.1% | 8-22 | 35.1% | 17-23 | 75.1% | 52 | 11 | 22 | 20 | 8 | 13 | 5 | | Stats Against (Home Games) | 98.6 | 49.3 | 37-86 | 43.4% | 7-23 | 29.4% | 17-23 | 76.3% | 54 | 12 | 21 | 21 | 9 | 16 | 5 |
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| | Average power rating of opponents played: LA CLIPPERS 97, HOUSTON 96.2 |
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| 3/27/2015 | @ PHILADELPHIA | 119-98 | W | -12.5 | W | 201.5 | O | 44-82 | 53.7% | 65 | 16 | 36-86 | 41.9% | 47 | 13 | | 3/29/2015 | @ BOSTON | 119-106 | W | -6 | W | 207.5 | O | 41-84 | 48.8% | 66 | 12 | 39-93 | 41.9% | 50 | 10 | | 3/31/2015 | GOLDEN STATE | 106-110 | L | -3.5 | L | 218 | U | 36-82 | 43.9% | 53 | 11 | 38-85 | 44.7% | 53 | 9 | | 4/1/2015 | @ PORTLAND | 126-122 | W | 3 | W | 209.5 | O | 46-86 | 53.5% | 46 | 6 | 45-89 | 50.6% | 49 | 8 | | 4/4/2015 | @ DENVER | 107-92 | W | -10 | W | 216.5 | U | 34-79 | 43.0% | 65 | 12 | 32-85 | 37.6% | 58 | 15 | | 4/5/2015 | @ LA LAKERS | 106-78 | W | -13.5 | W | 208.5 | U | 40-75 | 53.3% | 47 | 10 | 29-75 | 38.7% | 50 | 17 | | 4/7/2015 | LA LAKERS | 105-100 | W | -16.5 | L | 207 | U | 39-81 | 48.1% | 57 | 8 | 35-84 | 41.7% | 50 | 11 | | 4/11/2015 | MEMPHIS | 94-86 | W | -9.5 | L | 197 | U | 35-88 | 39.8% | 57 | 13 | 34-77 | 44.2% | 51 | 18 | | 4/13/2015 | DENVER | 110-103 | W | -18 | L | 214.5 | U | 37-82 | 45.1% | 56 | 13 | 38-101 | 37.6% | 67 | 11 | | 4/14/2015 | @ PHOENIX | 112-101 | W | -10.5 | W | 207 | O | 42-87 | 48.3% | 55 | 12 | 39-80 | 48.7% | 44 | 15 | | 4/19/2015 | SAN ANTONIO | 107-92 | W | -1.5 | W | 208 | U | 40-78 | 51.3% | 58 | 13 | 34-93 | 36.6% | 62 | 14 | | 4/22/2015 | SAN ANTONIO | 107-111 | L | -2 | L | 206.5 | O | 39-92 | 42.4% | 70 | 11 | 42-91 | 46.2% | 56 | 9 | | 4/24/2015 | @ SAN ANTONIO | 73-100 | L | 5 | L | 204 | U | 29-85 | 34.1% | 46 | 14 | 40-76 | 52.6% | 52 | 13 | | 4/26/2015 | @ SAN ANTONIO | 114-105 | W | 6 | W | 202.5 | O | 45-84 | 53.6% | 50 | 9 | 37-84 | 44.0% | 53 | 8 | | 4/28/2015 | SAN ANTONIO | 107-111 | L | -2.5 | L | 202.5 | O | 40-86 | 46.5% | 63 | 12 | 36-81 | 44.4% | 53 | 16 | | 4/30/2015 | @ SAN ANTONIO | 102-96 | W | 5.5 | W | 206.5 | U | 38-80 | 47.5% | 51 | 10 | 36-83 | 43.4% | 56 | 13 | | 5/2/2015 | SAN ANTONIO | 111-109 | W | -2.5 | L | 204 | O | 40-76 | 52.6% | 47 | 12 | 43-89 | 48.3% | 50 | 10 | | 5/4/2015 | @ HOUSTON | 117-101 | W | 7.5 | W | 212 | O | 41-84 | 48.8% | 58 | 21 | 38-84 | 45.2% | 49 | 23 | | 5/6/2015 | @ HOUSTON | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5/8/2015 | HOUSTON | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5/10/2015 | HOUSTON | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| 3/27/2015 | MINNESOTA | 120-110 | W | -14 | L | 206 | O | 44-83 | 53.0% | 49 | 17 | 37-76 | 48.7% | 38 | 13 | | 3/29/2015 | @ WASHINGTON | 99-91 | W | -2 | W | 204 | U | 34-80 | 42.5% | 61 | 19 | 29-75 | 38.7% | 50 | 17 | | 3/30/2015 | @ TORONTO | 96-99 | L | 2 | L | 209 | U | 35-84 | 41.7% | 56 | 13 | 35-78 | 44.9% | 55 | 15 | | 4/1/2015 | SACRAMENTO | 115-111 | W | -10 | L | 212 | O | 41-89 | 46.1% | 49 | 17 | 48-96 | 50.0% | 65 | 21 | | 4/2/2015 | @ DALLAS | 108-101 | W | 2.5 | W | 210.5 | U | 34-77 | 44.2% | 63 | 18 | 37-84 | 44.0% | 46 | 13 | | 4/5/2015 | @ OKLAHOMA CITY | 115-112 | W | -1 | W | 219 | O | 38-81 | 46.9% | 59 | 10 | 40-92 | 43.5% | 63 | 18 | | 4/8/2015 | @ SAN ANTONIO | 98-110 | L | 6.5 | L | 204.5 | O | 39-84 | 46.4% | 49 | 13 | 48-95 | 50.5% | 51 | 9 | | 4/10/2015 | SAN ANTONIO | 103-104 | L | 3.5 | W | 204 | O | 31-66 | 47.0% | 57 | 20 | 41-85 | 48.2% | 49 | 15 | | 4/12/2015 | NEW ORLEANS | 121-114 | W | -5 | W | 199 | O | 39-73 | 53.4% | 52 | 11 | 44-91 | 48.4% | 50 | 10 | | 4/13/2015 | @ CHARLOTTE | 100-90 | W | -12 | L | 201 | U | 35-85 | 41.2% | 59 | 10 | 34-83 | 41.0% | 53 | 15 | | 4/15/2015 | UTAH | 117-91 | W | -11.5 | W | 194 | O | 41-76 | 53.9% | 62 | 18 | 38-101 | 37.6% | 55 | 14 | | 4/18/2015 | DALLAS | 118-108 | W | -5.5 | W | 213 | O | 38-85 | 44.7% | 58 | 13 | 44-99 | 44.4% | 60 | 17 | | 4/21/2015 | DALLAS | 111-99 | W | -6.5 | W | 215 | U | 39-88 | 44.3% | 61 | 11 | 33-89 | 37.1% | 53 | 8 | | 4/24/2015 | @ DALLAS | 130-128 | W | 1 | W | 216 | O | 48-93 | 51.6% | 51 | 14 | 45-86 | 52.3% | 50 | 10 | | 4/26/2015 | @ DALLAS | 109-121 | L | -2.5 | L | 218.5 | O | 38-81 | 46.9% | 53 | 10 | 51-94 | 54.3% | 59 | 15 | | 4/28/2015 | DALLAS | 103-94 | W | -8 | W | 221.5 | U | 37-82 | 45.1% | 66 | 21 | 35-92 | 38.0% | 59 | 18 | | 5/4/2015 | LA CLIPPERS | 101-117 | L | -7.5 | L | 212 | O | 38-84 | 45.2% | 49 | 23 | 41-84 | 48.8% | 58 | 21 | | 5/6/2015 | LA CLIPPERS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5/8/2015 | @ LA CLIPPERS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5/10/2015 | @ LA CLIPPERS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| |  | LA CLIPPERS: GUARDS: Head coach Doc Rivers pretty much hands the offense over to CHRIS PAUL, who is very much in his prime. He has a chance to lead the NBA in assists and steals again . . . He was banged up during the regular season, but J.J. REDICK fit nicely next to Paul when healthy . . . JAMAL CRAWFORD will reprise his sixth-man role. He can still fill it up, though he'll lose a bit of playing time if Redick stays healthy . . . JORDAN FARMAR is still hanging around L.A., this time to back up Paul. He'll run point for the second unit . . . C.J. WILCOX is arguably the best shooter in the rookie class, but he's not guaranteed to grab a rotation spot. FORWARDS: He still has flaws in his game, but BLAKE GRIFFIN continues to evolve into a more complete player. His improved shooting, both mid-range and at the line, is a testament to that . . . The Clippers failed to land an upgrade at small forward, so MATT BARNES might be the starter by default again. He's a good glue guy, though his streaky shooting is a frustration . . . The Clippers retained GLEN DAVIS in free agency. "Big Baby" can do some damage against opposing second units during the regular season. CENTERS: Rivers made DeANDRE JORDAN into a full-time player last season. He's a rim protector and rebounder who has made some strides defending in space, but there's a reason the Clippers spent on another big man . . . SPENCER HAWES gives them a different look at the 5-spot, and he can play alongside Jordan as a floor-spacer as well. | | HOUSTON: GUARDS: The postseason was a different story for JAMES HARDEN, but he was a dominant all-around performer during the past two regular seasons. He'll do the bulk of the ball-handling for the up-tempo Rockets . . . After looking for an upgrade during the offseason, it's back to PATRICK BEVERLEY at the point. He's the No. 4 or 5 option on offense, but his defense will keep him on the floor . . . There's little backcourt depth, so rookie NICK JOHNSON has a shot at the rotation. He's NBA-ready as a defender, but his offensive game is shaky . . . ISH SMITH will push for that back-up point guard job . . . ISAIAH CANAAN will have to shoot the lights out early to get a look in the rotation . . . FRANCISCO GARCIA is still here as a 3-and-D option. FORWARDS: TREVOR ARIZA slides into Chandler Parsons' old role, providing defense and three-point shooting. He has a chance for a career-best output offensively . . . The Rockets know they need an upgrade over TERRENCE JONES, but they struck out during the offseason. He's a hustle guy, but he's too much of a defensive liability at the 4-spot . . . After disappearing last season, DONATAS MOTIEJUNAS has a chance to play himself into a thin frontcourt rotation. He's a potential 7-foot floor spacer . . . JEFF ADRIEN will be a "little things" guy in the second unit . . . They wanted to leave CLINT CAPELA overseas, but he'll be in Houston. He might be the future at the 4-spot, but he's years away . . . KOSTAS PAPANIKOLAOU has potential as a versatile bench option. CENTERS: DWIGHT HOWARD looked healthy again and was, at times, dominant. His game still has obvious flaws, namely free-throw shooting and an inability to step away from the basket, but there's no reason he can't flirt with 20-10 nightly while being among the league leaders in blocks . . . Ex-Rocket JOEY DORSEY returns after a strong stint in Spain. He'll bring some muscle (and six fouls) behind Howard. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER NBA PLAYOFF PREVIEW (LA CLIPPERS-HOUSTON) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(UPDATES with Rivers saying Paul 50-50 to play)
*Clippers-Rockets Preview* ==========================
By TAYLOR BECHTOLD STATS Writer
La Clippers At Houston, Game Two, 9:30 p.m. EDT
Coming off a grueling series against the defending champs, the Los Angeles Clippers erased any notion that they don't have enough left to keep up with the Houston Rockets - even without Chris Paul.
Instead, it's the Rockets who hope to find their legs after a sluggish effort cost them home-court advantage.
The Clippers could be missing their floor leader for the second straight game as they try to take the first two of a second-round series for the first time in team history Wednesday night in Houston.
Two days after making the winning shot on basically one leg in Game 7 against San Antonio, Paul was unable to play Monday because of his strained left hamstring. Coach Doc Rivers said the star point guard could have played if it were an elimination game, but that it wasn't worth the risk in the series opener. Rivers thinks the odds are 50-50 Paul will return for Game 2.
Without Paul, Los Angeles received a balanced attack with six players scoring in double figures in the 117-101 win. Blake Griffin was too much for the Rockets with 26 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists to notch his second straight triple-double.
"He's incredible," forward Matt Barnes said of Griffin, averaging 26.5 points, 13.3 boards and 9.0 assists in the last four games. "He gets in the middle of the field and kind of just picks people apart like Tom Brady."
Jamal Crawford contributed 21 points off the bench, Barnes added 20 and J.J. Redick and Austin Rivers - filling in as the starting point guard - had 17 apiece. That quartet combined to hit all 13 of the Clippers' 3-pointers, including an NBA playoff-record 11 in the second half.
Even though they had every reason to be tired, the Clippers outscored Houston - coming off a five-day break - by a 71-51 margin in the final 24 minutes.
"I've always felt we've had the talent," Redick told the team's official website. "That mental toughness has been questioned and our resolve has been questioned and at times rightfully so, but we're on the right track right now."
The Clippers have won their last three road playoff games after never previously winning two straight in their 44-year history, and now they could accomplish something else the franchise has never done - take a 2-0 series lead in a round other than the first. They've never won a second-round series.
"We don't mention injuries," said Rivers, whose club did commit a season-high 23 turnovers without Paul. "We don't talk about them and we just tell our guys, 'You execute, step into the role. You execute and you play.'"
Houston, playing in its first conference semifinal since 2009, is also looking to clean things up after the Clippers scored 34 points off its 24 turnovers. The Rockets were also outrebounded 42-35.
"I don't think we took them lightly (without Paul)," MVP runner-up James Harden said. "We've got to do a better job of just playing harder. It felt like we were in mud for four quarters. We've got to be better in Game 2 and I know we will."
Harden finished with 20 points - 7.4 below his regular-season average - and 12 assists but committed nine turnovers in the team's first defeat in four home playoff games. Dwight Howard had a team-high 22 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.
Trevor Ariza was a bright spot with 17 points, but Josh Smith hopes to regroup after he scored nine while missing nine of 12 shots. Smith has averaged 7.3 points on 7-of-28 shooting in his last three games versus Los Angeles.
"We just have to do a better job of focusing on our game plan and go out there and execute," Harden said. "It's pretty simple - we're not going to overcomplicate things."
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| | Last Updated: 4/18/2024 2:53:47 PM EST. |
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