HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Houston Rockets rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to edge the Los Angeles Clippers 115-113 on Thursday night at Toyota Center. A crowd of 18,055 saw the Rockets outscore the Clippers 35-31 in the final period to secure the victory. The game was tight throughout, with the teams tied at 29 after the first quarter. The Clippers took a 54-51 lead into halftime and held an 82-80 advantage entering the fourth. Houston’s late surge improved its record to 16-6, while the Clippers fell to 6-19. Houston, a heavy pregame favorite, narrowly covered the 8.5-point spread. The total score of 228 went over the projected over/under of 220.5. The teams will meet again in Los Angeles on Dec. 23.

HOUSTON (Interstat) — In a game defined by relentless effort on the glass and a final, frantic sequence of offensive rebounds, the Houston Rockets escaped with a 115-113 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night at Toyota Center. Amen Thompson’s three-point play with 17.2 seconds remaining proved to be the decisive blow, capping a possession that perfectly encapsulated the night. After Alperen Sengun missed a driving layup, Thompson secured the offensive rebound and put it back while being fouled by Kris Dunn. His subsequent free throw broke a 110-110 tie and ultimately sealed the win before a final flurry of fouls extended the game. The play was Houston’s 22nd offensive rebound of the night, a staggering advantage over the Clippers’ eight that led to 29 second-chance points and compensated for other statistical shortcomings. Despite committing 18 turnovers and recording only nine assists as a team, the Rockets’ sheer volume of extra opportunities, particularly in the clutch, carried them to their 16th win of the season. The game was a taut, back-and-forth affair featuring high-level performances from both centers. Houston’s Alperen Sengun, the focal point of the offense, posted 22 points, 15 rebounds and five assists, controlling the paint for large stretches. His counterpart, Ivica Zubac, was spectacular for the Clippers, scoring a game-high 33 points on efficient 12-of-15 shooting from the field and adding seven rebounds. The teams traded leads throughout the fourth quarter. The Clippers, who fell to 6-19 with the loss, had surged ahead late behind Zubac’s interior dominance and a key three-pointer from James Harden, who finished with 22 points and seven assists. Kawhi Leonard added 24 points and nine rebounds for Los Angeles. But Houston’s persistence on the offensive glass, led by Sengun’s six offensive rebounds and Thompson’s four, kept possessions alive and wore down the Clippers’ defense. Thompson’s all-around line of 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists was pivotal, especially with Kevin Durant struggling with his shot and ball security. The Rockets led 29-28 after a first quarter that saw both teams shoot well, but a 25-point second quarter from Los Angeles gave them a 54-51 halftime edge. Houston responded with a 29-point third to knot the game at 80-80 heading into the final period, setting the stage for the dramatic finish. Statistically, the game was a study in contrasts. The Clippers were more efficient from the field, shooting 50% to Houston’s 46.2%, and better from three-point range (36.8% to 35.3%). They also dished out 15 assists to Houston’s nine and recorded 15 steals. However, the massive rebounding disparity, particularly on the offensive end, and Houston’s ability to get to the free-throw line (21 attempts to Los Angeles’ 26, though both teams shot over 80%) proved insurmountable for the visitors. The Rockets also won the possession battle, logging 99 possessions to the Clippers’ 97, leading to nearly identical offensive ratings of 116.2 for Houston and 116.1 for Los Angeles in a game where every extra chance mattered. Jabari Smith Jr. provided crucial support for Houston with an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double. For the Clippers, Bogdan Bogdanovic chipped in 10 points off the bench. The victory allowed Houston to cover the pregame spread as 8.5-point favorites and sent the total score of 228 over the betting line of 220.5. The Rockets, who were given an 88.1% probability to win by statistical models pregame, avoided what would have been a costly stumble against a struggling opponent. Houston now looks ahead to a challenging road test against the Denver Nuggets on Monday. The Clippers, mired in a difficult season, return home to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, seeking to end a skid that has seen them lose four of their last five games. The two teams will meet again in Los Angeles on Dec. 23.

Preview: Struggling Clippers Visit Surging Rockets HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Houston Rockets, boasting one of the NBA’s best records, will look to bounce back from a rare loss when they host the struggling Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night at Toyota Center. The Rockets (15-6) enter the contest after a 122-109 road defeat to the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, which snapped a three-game winning streak. Forward Jabari Smith Jr. has been a consistent force, averaging 15.6 points and 6.8 rebounds over his last 10 games. He scored 22 points with eight rebounds in the loss to Dallas. Houston has been dominant at home this season and will face a Clippers team mired in a prolonged slump. Los Angeles (6-18) has lost eight of its last 10 games, including a 109-106 defeat at Minnesota on Saturday. Despite the team’s struggles, guard James Harden remains a high-volume producer, averaging 27.7 points and 7.7 assists over that same 10-game span. He scored 34 points in the loss to the Timberwolves. The matchup features a stark contrast in trajectories. The Rockets have built their record on defensive intensity and balanced scoring, while the Clippers have repeatedly faltered in close games, with seven of their last 10 losses coming by 10 points or fewer. Houston won the teams’ first meeting of the season on Nov. 14 in a 140-108 rout. For the Clippers to be competitive, they will need more consistent support for Harden. Center Ivica Zubac is coming off a 15-point, 13-rebound performance against Minnesota, and forward Kawhi Leonard added 20 points. The Rockets will aim to re-establish their defensive identity after allowing 122 points to Dallas. Smith’s versatility and the backcourt defense on Harden will be key factors. This game opens a four-game homestand for Houston, while the Clippers continue a difficult road stretch. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST. The teams will meet again in Los Angeles on Dec. 23.