The Los Angeles Clippers pulled off an exciting 105-102 road win against the Houston Rockets on Feb. 11, delivering one of the most exciting finishes of week 17. With the game tied and momentum shifting back and forth in the final moments, Kawhi Leonard stepped up and hit a three-point play to seal the victory for the Clippers right at the buzzer.
Leonard was the top scorer with 27 points; He added 12 rebounds, extending his streak of consecutive performances scoring 20 points or more. Although the Rockets defense forced him into contested shots early, he managed to find his rhythm when it mattered, putting up 19 points in the fourth quarter and leading the Clippers comeback.
The Rockets came out strong in the first quarter, outscoring the Clippers 29-22 and bringing energy on both sides of the court. Kevin Durant played his versatile game, scoring inside and knocking down important jumpers to keep Houston in the fight. Durant finished with 21 points, while off the bench, Reed Sheppard added 17 with some timely shots and confident scoring.
Even though Houston had a strong first half, the Clippers stayed close, outscoring the Rockets 27-24 in the second and third quarters to keep the game tight heading into the final quarter. The lead kept changing in the fourth as both teams traded baskets and key defensive stops.
With the score tied at 102- 102 and just over 40 seconds left, Leonard missed a 3-pointer, but Houston could not grab the rebound. Following a timeout, Leonard attacked from the wing, elevated for a fadeaway, absorbed contact and converted the basket. He calmly sank the free throw to give Los Angeles a 105-102 advantage with just seconds remaining. Houston had a final chance to tie it, but Tari Eason’s last shot missed as the clock ran out.
This win gave the Clippers a big confidence boost in the middle of the season and proved Leonard’s knack for stepping up when it counts. The Rockets showed their depth and skill, but turnovers and a few defensive mistakes during the game ultimately hurt their chances. As both teams head into the All-Star break and the second half of the season, performances like this remind fans just how important every Western Conference game really is.
