NBA Playoffs: Jordan, Clippers Shoot Down Rockets, 128-95 In Game 4 Of West Semis, Take 3-1 Series Lead

For the second straight game, the Houston Rockets had no answers for the relentless attack of the Los Angeles Clippers, which notched another easy home victory, 128-95 over the second-seeded team in the Western Conference playoffs.

DeAndre Jordan turned in a monster double-double of 26 points and 17 rebounds, Blake Griffin had 21 points on an efficient 7-of-11 field goal shooting and Chris Paul had 15 points and 12 assists for the Clippers, which beat the Rockets, 124-99 in a similar blowout in Game 3.

Jordan also went 14-of-34 from the free throw line but no hack-a-DeAndre strategy could stop the Clippers’ blowout on this night.

The Rockets were once again lost on both sides of the floor. Offensively, they shot just 34-of-83 from the field (41.0%) and an even worse 15-of-30 (50.0%) from the free throw line. Defensively, they allowed L.A. to shoot around the 50 per cent mark (39-of-79 FGs) for the game to score 32.0 points per quarter.

James Harden finished with 21 points but had to bleed for them going 5-of-12 from the field. Dwight Howard fouled out playing just 18 minutes and finished with 7 points. Veterans Trevor Ariza and Jason Terry ended up with 18 and 16 markers, respectively.

After the Rockets led 33-30 after the opening quarter, it was all Clippers the rest of the way; L.A. outscored Houston, 73-46 in the middle quarters and never let up in the fourth, 25-16. Three other players scored in double-figures for L.A. as J.J. Reddick added 18 points, Jamal Crawford had 13 points and Austin Rivers had 12 points.

Game 5 of the best-of-seven affair is set on Tuesday in Houston where the Clippers will try to close out the series. If the Rockets extend the series, Game 6 is back in Los Angeles on Thursday and if necessary, the do-or-die Game 7 is on Sunday.

To contact author of this article, email j.quizon@IBTimes.com.au.