Clippers routed by Rockets in their NBA Cup opener

11/15/2024 11:11 PM

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON — The Clippers got Texas two-stomped in Houston.

Jabari Smith Jr. had a season-high 28 points with five 3-pointers, Alperen Sengun had a triple-double and the Houston Rockets never trailed in a 125-104 rout of the Clippers on Friday night in the NBA Cup Group Play opener for both teams.

It was Houston's season-high fourth straight victory and the team's second straight over the Clippers after handing them an 111-103 loss on Wednesday night.

James Harden had 21 points and six rebounds for the Clippers, who lost their third straight after winning their previous four. He made three 3-pointers to move into a tie with Ray Allen (2,973) for second on the NBA's career 3-pointers list behind Golden State star Steph Curry, who entered Friday with 3,779.

Harden shot 3 for 6 from behind the arc in the first quarter to tie Allen, but he missed three more attempts the rest of the night and didn't play in the fourth with Houston up by 19 entering the quarter. Most of his 3-pointers came with the Rockets, where he piled up 2,029 in nine seasons, was named an All-Star eight times and won the league MVP award in the 2017-18 season.

Harden, 35, has made 219 3-pointers with the Clippers, where he is beginning his second season after stops in Brooklyn and Philadelphia.

Kevin Porter Jr. had 15 points and Kris Dunn added 13 for the Clippers, who were flat in their two games in Houston after putting together their season-best winning streak. They shot 37.8% from the field on Friday (34 for 90) and went just 10 for 40 from 3-point range.

Sengun finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals and two blocked shots for Houston, which shot 48.4% from the field and 19 for 44 from behind the arc. Fred VanVleet added 18 points and 10 assists, and Dillon Brooks scored 17. Tari Eason (17 points, six rebounds) and Amen Thompson (12 points) again gave Houston a boost off the bench. The two combined for 29 points after scoring 18 each in Wednesday's win.

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 3-pointer before VanVleet found Jalen Green for an alley-oop dunk.

The Rockets had 20 fast-break points to just eight for the Clippers, who will need to regroup and find a way to get more production from their starting lineup while they await the still-to-be-determined return of All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard, who continues to rehabilitate his surgically repaired right knee.

UP NEXT

The Clippers host Utah on Sunday at 6 p.m.