The Houston Rockets never trailed on Sunday afternoon, as they completed the comeback from a 3-1 series deficit with a 113-100 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in game 7. The Rockets are now heading to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 18 years, as the Clippers struggles for success continues.
James Harden scored 31 points, while Dwight Howard had a double-double of 16 points and 15 rebounds to help send Houston to the conference finals for the first time since 1997. It is the ninth time in NBA history that a team was able overcome a 3-1 series deficit to win a playoff series. The Rockets are the second team, along with the Boston Celtics, to do so twice.
Houston has been coming back from deficits nearly all series long, including coming back from a 19-point deficit to keep their season alive in game 6. They needed no comeback on Sunday, as they led by 17 after three, and pushed it to 20 to begin the fourth.
The Clippers attempted a late comeback when they went on a 9-0 run, led by Blake Griffin's 5 points, to cut the lead to 8 points. Trevor Ariza would then hit a clutch three-pointer to extend the lead to double digits and secure the win. Ariza finished with 22 points, including sinking six shots from beyond the arc.
The Rockets recorded their third straight win to become the first team to come back from a 3-1 series deficit since the Phoenix Suns in 2006.
Griffin finished with 27 points, while Chris Paul had a double-double of 26 points and 10 assists in the loss.
The Rockets will move on to battle the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday night.
James Harden scored 31 points, while Dwight Howard had a double-double of 16 points and 15 rebounds to help send Houston to the conference finals for the first time since 1997. It is the ninth time in NBA history that a team was able overcome a 3-1 series deficit to win a playoff series. The Rockets are the second team, along with the Boston Celtics, to do so twice.
Houston has been coming back from deficits nearly all series long, including coming back from a 19-point deficit to keep their season alive in game 6. They needed no comeback on Sunday, as they led by 17 after three, and pushed it to 20 to begin the fourth.
The Clippers attempted a late comeback when they went on a 9-0 run, led by Blake Griffin's 5 points, to cut the lead to 8 points. Trevor Ariza would then hit a clutch three-pointer to extend the lead to double digits and secure the win. Ariza finished with 22 points, including sinking six shots from beyond the arc.
The Rockets recorded their third straight win to become the first team to come back from a 3-1 series deficit since the Phoenix Suns in 2006.
Griffin finished with 27 points, while Chris Paul had a double-double of 26 points and 10 assists in the loss.
The Rockets will move on to battle the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday night.
