SB Nation Houston - Rockets Lose 106-103 As Desperation Shot Falls Shorthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46691/houston-fave.png2011-03-02T11:56:57-06:00http://houston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/17892742011-03-02T11:56:57-06:002011-03-02T11:56:57-06:00Rockets Go For Sixth Straight Against Clippers
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<p>(Sports Network) - There's still plenty of time for the Houston Rockets to make up significant ground in the Western Conference standings, as they try to close out a perfect three-game road trip tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center.</p>
<p>The Rockets have won five in a row overall and have beaten New Orleans and Portland so far on the road swing. They prevailed for the sixth consecutive time as the visitor with Tuesday's 103-87 victory over the Trail Blazers behind Kyle Lowry's 21 points and 11 assists. Lowry is making a strong case for Comeback Player of the Year, averaging 12.1 points and 6.4 assists.</p>
<p>Luis Scola shook off a knee strain to score 21 points and Kevin Martin posted 20 to help the Rockets end a four-game losing streak in the Rose City.</p>
<p>"This is a tough place to play," Martin said. "We came out fighting. I could not be happier for this team and the way we are playing right now."</p>
<p>Houston is three games behind Portland and Memphis for the seventh and eighth seed in the conference and sports a 15-18 record away from Space City.</p>
<p>Los Angeles is expected to have talented point guard Eric Gordon back in the lineup after he's missed several games with an injured right wrist. The Clippers went 4-14 without Gordon, who's averaging a team-best 24.1 points and 4.5 assists. Gordon last played in a win over Golden State on Jan. 22, and is posting 26.7 ppg in his previous nine.</p>
<p>The Clippers have lost five straight and 12 of their last 14 games, including Monday's 105-99 setback at Sacramento. Blake Griffin posted his 51st double- double with 27 points and 12 rebounds, and Mo Williams made his Clippers debut with 16 points, five assists and five steals. The Clippers recorded a season- high 14 steals on the night.</p>
<p>"They picked up the intensity and their crowd got into it," Griffin said of the Kings in the fourth quarter. "We have to do a better job of matching that intensity."</p>
<p>Randy Foye finished with 23 points for LA. Jamario Moon also made his Hollywood debut, playing just under four minutes and hitting a three-pointer. Moon and Williams were acquired from Cleveland in a deal that sent guard Baron Davis to the Cavaliers before the trade deadline.</p>
<p>Griffin has posted at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in five straight games, and did so over a 14-game span from Dec. 12, 2010 - Jan. 14, 2011. The rookie star and Slam Dunk champion leads the NBA with 39 games of at least 20-points and 10 boards. Foye is averaging 26.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists in his previous three games. He is posting 17.5 points in 18 starts for Gordon.</p>
<p>Houston has beaten the Clippers twice already this season and has won 13 of the past 16 matchups between the teams. The Rockets are 12-2 in the last 14 games as the visitor in this series.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/2011/3/2/2330701/rockets-go-for-sixth-straight-against-clippersAlex Cohn