The Houston Rockets eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers with a victory in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Sunday afternoon, as the Clippers gave up a 3-1 series lead to lose the series 4-3.
For the second time in two rounds, the Clippers faced Game 7. Unlike the first round, however, the Clippers faced the elimination game on the road this time. Houston would use its super charged building to launch a fast start for the Rockets, and the Clippers never led at any point in the deciding game of the series.
Led by James Harden scoring 12 points in the first quarter, the Rockets held a seven-point lead after 12 minutes. Both teams started out playing frantic basketball, and Clippers coach Doc Rivers sounded concerned about how fast his team was playing during his television interview prior to the start of the second quarter.
For the Rockets, Dwight Howard picked up two quick fouls but begged his coach to stay in the game. Rockets coach Kevin McHale would allow his center to stay on the court late in the first quarter, and the gamble would pay off in the second period.
Howard would tab 11 points in the second period to give the Rockets' center a double-double at the intermission: 12 points and 11 rebounds. Fueled by Howard and Harden, the Rockets led by as many as 15 points in the first half, but a late run by the Clippers saw the visitors enter the locker room down by 10 points.
In the third quarter, the Clippers would surge forward and cut the Rockets' lead to only three points when J.J. Redick made a layup with 8:32 to play in the third quarter. Suddenly, the Clippers appeared to be ready to charge past the Rockets. Harden, though, would step forward to ensure that the Rockets did not give up the lead. The bearded point guard, who sat for the majority of the fourth quarter's Game 6 comeback victory, helped his team reestablish a double-digit lead over the next three minutes.
Along with Harden, 38-year-old Argentine point guard Pablo Prigioni came in to help the Rockets blow up the lead to 17 points by the end of the quarter. With 12 minutes of basketball led to play, the Clippers attempted to play the fouling game with Dwight Howard, a move the reflected the Clippers' state of desperation.
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Six minutes remaining in their season, the Clippers still trailed by 16 points. However, the Clippers would make it interesting and cut the lead to single digits in the final few minutes. With 1:26 to play, the Clippers cut the lead to eight points and fouled Howard. Howard would miss both free throws, and the Clipper would get the ball with 1:25 to play. Despite the poor finish, the Rockets still managed to finish the game on top.
The Rockets advanced to the Western Conference Finals where they will face the Golden State Warriors.
