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Three takeaways from the LA Clippers’ comeback win over Rockets

By Garrett Chorpenning

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers reacts during a game against the Houston Rockets on November 22, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers reacts during a game against the Houston Rockets on November 22, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 22: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers reacts during a game against the Houston Rockets on November 22, 2019, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 22: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers reacts during a game against the Houston Rockets on November 22, 2019, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Despite trailing by five with one minute to go, the LA Clippers managed to pull off another improbable win against one of the league’s best teams.

When the LA Clippers beat the Boston Celtics Wednesday night, I was certain that there would not be a game (at least not so soon) that would be as stressful, or as impressive, as that one.

It didn’t take long for me to be proven wrong.

In what was easily one of the best games of the NBA season so far, the LA Clippers pulled off another comeback in thrilling fashion, this time downing the Houston Rockets by a final of 122-119.

It was a back-and-forth affair for the majority of the night. The Clippers jumped out to an early lead that was soon countered by the Rockets, and Houston took control in the third quarter to put LA under pressure going to the final frame. But once again, some of that same resiliency that we saw from last year’s squad came through.

The game appeared to be over several times in the fourth quarter. I was less willing to admit it than others were, especially considering that they had prevailed after being in an almost identical situation Wednesday night. But the Celtics don’t have a closer like James Harden, who’s liable to go on a lengthy personal run at the flip of a switch. And had he made one more bucket late in the fourth, I would be writing a different story right now.

But the Clippers came back.

With 1:26 to go in the fourth quarter, the Rockets took a 115-109 lead when Clint Capela grabbed his fifth offensive rebound of the night and put it back up for two. From that point on, possessions had to be perfectly executed. A missed shot or failure to make a stop would essentially end the game.

So what happened next?

Lou Williams came down the floor, as calm as ever, and drained a three-pointer. Easy.

And then Houston hit another demoralizing shot on the other end of the floor — this one from P.J. Tucker. In a matter of moments, a one-possession game became a two- with 1:00 on the clock.

Still, the Clippers refused to give up.

On LA’s next two offensive possessions, Paul George hit from beyond the arc and Williams sunk another from deep. In 30 short seconds, LA had reclaimed the lead.

Harden would then sink two free throws to put Houston back up, but by then, momentum was firmly on LA’s side. Nothing was going to stop them from winning this one.

It was Kawhi Leonard who hit the go-ahead bucket for the Clippers with 15 seconds left — a routine, pull-up jumper from the right elbow — and delivered the win.

With it, the Clippers moved to 11-5 on the season and 10-1 at home — a franchise-best start to the regular season on their home floor.

For in-depth takeaways of the LA Clippers’ win, continue to the next slide.

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