In the NBA regular season on March 7, Beijing time, the Clippers challenged the Rockets away and finally defeated the opponent 122-116. The Clippers trailed by as many as 20 points in this game, but excellent performances in the third and fourth quarters turned the game back in one fell swoop.
In the first quarter of the game, the Rockets took the lead in getting into the groove, Green and Shin Kyung scored points one after another, while the Clippers gradually found their rhythm after Mann's opening score. However, Harden combined for five points on an inside and outside shot to lay the groundwork for the Rockets' lead. Although the Clippers later closed the score, they still ended the first quarter with a 19-27 deficit.
In the second quarter of the game, the Clippers began to score one after another, but then there were turnovers, allowing the Rockets to launch a series of counterattacks, Whitmore brought a big windmill dunk, Holiday hit a three-point shot, and then Whitmore broke through and scored in a row, which completely disintegrated the Clippers' defense. The Clippers could only rely on Leonard's scoring, and VanVleet scored another three-pointer to bring the score to 50-30. Although the Clippers gradually closed the score, the Rockets stabilized the situation after Brooks' three-point shot, and the Clippers trailed 44-57 at halftime.
The Clippers put Plumlee on the court, Smith Jr. hit a three-pointer, George scored from mid-range, Mann also hit a three-pointer, Plumlee scored with a dunk, and VanVleet's three-pointer stabilized the situation. The Clippers got into shape, George also hit a three-pointer, but Green hit a three-pointer in the fourth quarter, and the two teams played inseparable, and the Rockets always had a way to deal with it. Leonard still hit a jumper in the final minute of the game to put the Clippers up 80-86.
In the final quarter of the game, Shen Jing continued to score consecutive points, and Hyland broke through, but Harden still scored multiple offenses to chase down to 3 points. Brooks scored a breakaway and Whitmore hit a three-pointer, and the Rockets held the lead well. Although the Clippers fought back under the leadership of Leonard and George, the score came to 99-101, but Powell and Harden still had a chance to regain the lead. Shin Kyung missed at the free throw line and Harden missed a three-pointer, but George's offensive rebounding score and a 2+1 from the small card allowed the Clippers to regain the lead. In the end, Harden's four free throws and a steal became the key to the Clippers' comeback from the Rockets, who reversed the Rockets 122-116.
Starting lineup: Rockets starters: VanVleet, Jalen Green, Brooks, Smith Jr., Shin Jing.
Clippers starters: Harden, Mann, George, Leonard, Zubac.