The Los Angeles Clippers (27 - 14) defeated the Houston Rockets (22 - 21) 140 - 132 in overtime at Staples Center on Monday. The Rockets clawed their way back from a 20 - point deficit to begin the fourth quarter by ripping off a 24 - 10 run to end the game, peaking when Marcus Thornton dropped in a game - tying three - pointer with seven seconds remaining in regulation. While Houston took advantage of what was a far too relaxed Clippers squad late in the second half, Thornton’s bench performance was a major spark plug, as he added 23 points on 5 - of - 9 shooting from behind the arc in 22 minutes. Dwight Howard led all Rockets scorers with 36 points, grabbed an absurd 26 rebounds and out muscled DeAndre Jordan (illness), who was overcoming pneumonia in his first game back. James Harden played more to the point guard position than his standard score first mentality, and finished with 20 points and eight assists on only 12 shots in 40 minutes of action. Houston did lose Patrick Beverley early on, as he sprained his ankle, a new ailment from an already beat up ankle injury that kept him sidelined earlier. The Rockets will get a day off before hosting the Detroit Pistons (22 - 19) on Wednesday. The Clippers set a franchise record with 22 3 - point shots made, spearheaded by JJ Reddick, who set career highs of 40 points and nine treys. Reddick was the definition of lights out shooting (11 - of - 19 FG, 9 - of - 12 3PT, 9 - of - 9 FT) and played a crucial role in the Clippers hanging on to survive in overtime, as the Rockets were not going away lightly. Without Reddick’s clutch free throws down the stretch, Thornton’s game tying 3 - pointer towards the end of regulation may have been enough to complete the comeback. Regardless, it was a well deserved career night for Reddick, who continues to thrive from deep with Blake Griffin (quad) sidelined. DeAndre Jordan’s return came with a double - double to the tune of 16 points and 15 rebounds, although he did not seem strong enough to prevent Dwight Howard from almost doubling his own stats. Chris Paul failed to convert the game winning shot as time expired in the 4th quarter, but knocked down clutch baskets in overtime, and contributed 28 points and 12 assists in the win.The Clippers will visit LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers (28 - 12) on Thursday.
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