The Houston Rockets spoiled Blake Griffin’s return to the court with 100-98 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. Griffin, who missed the previous 15 games because of an elbow injury, scored 11 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out 8 assists but James Harden was too much to handle as the Rockets star finished with 34 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in leading his team to the victory.

The Clippers have now lost back-to-back games after losing in a blowout to the Dallas Mavericks, 129-99 last Friday. The Rockets snapped their own back-to-back skids— losses to the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz in their last two— but are just 3-4 in their last seven games.

Harden was his usual self on Sunday, going to and effective from the line (17/18 free throws) and helping both on the boards (7 rebounds) and running the team (7 assists). The Rockets’ starters did their job as well; Trevor Ariza had 19 points, Terrence Jones had a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds. Houston’s starting five accounted for 89 of the team’s 100 points.

The Clippers were led by Chris Paul’s 23 points but L.A.’s star point guard missed 14-of-21 shots from the field. Matt Barnes had 19 markers for the Clippers, which had 20 turnovers in the game including 17 from their starting five. The Clippers actually had better rebounding numbers than the Rockets, 50-43; and shot slightly better from the field, 43.9% to Houston’s 37.2% but were atrocious from the line missing 10-of-24 shots from the free throw line.

Houston returns home in their next three games facing the Orlando Magic, Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns while Los Angeles also has a home-heavy schedule— three of four in L.A.— games against the Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans with the only away game at the Sacramento Kings.

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

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