The young and rebuilding Rockets (1-7) have lost a season-high four straight games after Monday’s 95-93 loss (box score) in Los Angeles. Houston led by five with 1:27 left before allowing the Clippers (3-4) to outscore them 7-0 to end the game, a run punctuated by two difficult shots from Paul George in the final 40 seconds.
George scored a game-high 35 points for the Clippers on 15-of-26 shooting (57.7%) and 5-of-10 on 3-pointers (50%). He also recorded 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 6 steals.
The hosts were somewhat short-handed with veterans Kawhi Leonard (right Kawhi Leonard (right knee injury management), John Wall (left knee injury management), and Robert Covington (health and safety protocol) out on the second night of a back-to-back.
The Rockets certainly didn’t feel sorry for them since they were on a back-to-back, themselves, and badly in need of a victory. Unfortunately, they scored just three points in the game’s final four minutes and couldn’t take advantage.
With Jae’Sean Tate again sidelined by a right ankle injury, KJ Martin absorbed more minutes at forward and scored a team-high 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting (52.9%). Alperen Sengun had 14 points (50% FG) and 9 rebounds, while Jalen Green continued his recent shooting slump with 13 points on 4-of-17 shooting (23.5%).
Veteran big man Ivica Zubac had 16 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks for the Clippers, including a key dunk late after Sengun was removed from the game by Rockets head coach Stephen Silas.
Scroll on for highlights, analysis and postgame interviews from Crypto.com Arena. In what is effectively a home-and-home series, the Rockets and Clippers will meet again at Houston’s Toyota Center on Wednesday; the tip is set for 7 p.m. Central.
Highlights
Analysis and Interviews
As good as he looked tonight, Alperen Sengun might have been the most reliable option to tie it up at the end.
Not on the floor for either of the final offensive possessions.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 1, 2022
Five-point lead with 1:20 left. George just took over on 'em. That's a tough loss, man. #Rockets
— Brandon Scott (@brandonkscott) November 1, 2022
Keep your heads up so many good things happened tonight!!!!
— Ryan Hollins (@TheRyanHollins) November 1, 2022
Incredible defense by Eric Gordon.
Better shot by Paul George. pic.twitter.com/VjiblstzL6
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 1, 2022
Eric Gordon turnover.
Brutal.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 1, 2022
Some of the best defense I have seen from Jalen Green. He took the challenge. pic.twitter.com/nCrrNQUCKu
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 1, 2022
This is admittedly a nitpick, but sometimes I think Stephen waits too late on some of these subs. Did it with KPJ in Utah, too. Have your closing lineup out there by 4:00 and give them continuity
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 1, 2022
Jalen Green are you kidding me, how pic.twitter.com/OBpD21qbf2
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 1, 2022
KJ Martin has been fantastic tonight.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) November 1, 2022
Martin has 5 of his season-high 23 points in the 4th quarter w/8:24 remaining; he scored 20+ points once last season after doing so five times as a rookie in 2020-21; Martin's career high is 27 points at Utah on 5/8/21; he lead the Rockets in fourth quarter scoring last season.
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) November 1, 2022
Quick review. Call overturned. Clean block by Martin. https://t.co/zOscS0SZEH
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 1, 2022
I love Eric Gordon. He can help the young guys in their development. He is a great teammate.
I do not understand (and it's not his decision) running your final two plays, tied and trailing by 2 with under 40 seconds left, for him alone. Those are prime growth opportunities.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) November 1, 2022
Rockets-Clippers Thoughts:
1. They defended like mad men tonight. Especially Eric Gordon
2. Jabari and Jalen need to find some sort of groove on the floor. They look wildly uncomfortable out there
3. The offense should run through Sengun. It looks smoother and more cohesive
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 1, 2022
Really disappointing to see the final 2 plays of a tied game run strictly through Eric Gordon
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 1, 2022
"I feel like we did a good job of getting what we wanted (late), we just missed a lot of layups. I missed one, KJ, Eric missed one, I think we executed well, just missed layups,"- #Rockets Kevin Porter Jr. after the tough 95-93 at the Clippers.
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) November 1, 2022
Don't want the last minute to overshadow a ton of the positive developments from this game.
KJ Martin was tremendous, Eric Gordon showed his value, Sengun was terrific as the offensive hub. Eason and Garuba did their thing. A good yet extremely frustrating loss
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) November 1, 2022
