Clippers blown out by Rockets in NBA Cup opener for their third consecutive loss

HOUSTON â€”  Jabari Smith Jr. had a season-high 28 points with five three-pointers and the Houston Rockets never trailed in a 125-104 rout of the Clippers on Friday night in their NBA Cup opener.

It was Houston’s season-high fourth straight victory and the team’s second straight over the Clippers after getting a 111-103 win Wednesday night.

The Rockets led comfortably throughout and used a big run in the third quarter to enter the fourth leading by 19.

Clippers

Jalen Green leads Rockets past the Clippers, who have lost two in a row

James Harden had 19 points for the Clippers, who lost a second straight game after winning four in a row.

Nov. 13, 2024

Fred VanVleet added 18 points and 10 assists for Houston and Dillon Brooks scored 17.

James Harden had 21 points for the Clippers, who lost their third straight after winning their previous four. He made three three-pointers to move into a tie with Ray Allen (2,973) for second-most career three-pointers behind Stephen Curry, who entered Friday with 3,779.

Takeaways

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Clippers: They were flat in their two games in Houston after a season-long winning streak. They’ll need to regroup and find a way to get more production from their starting lineup while they await the return of Kawhi Leonard. He hasn’t played this season while rehabilitating his right knee.

Rockets: Tari Eason and Amen Thompson again gave Houston a boost off the bench. The two combined for 29 points after scoring 18 each in Wednesday’s win.

Key moment: The Clippers used a 6-2 run to get within 12 with about eight minutes left in the third quarter before Houston scored the next nine points to extend the lead to 79-58. Brooks started that run with a three before VanVleet found Jalen Green for an alley-oop dunk.

Key stat: The Rockets had 20 fast-break points to just eight by the Clippers.

Up next: The Rockets visit Chicago on Sunday night and the Clippers host Utah that night.