SB Nation Los Angeles - Eric Gordon Returns, Leads Clippers Past Rockets 106-103https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2011-03-03T07:49:04-08:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/17901312011-03-03T07:49:04-08:002011-03-03T07:49:04-08:00Eric Gordon Returns To Score 24 Points, Sparks Clippers To Win Over The Rockets
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<p>Eric Gordon missed the last 18 games for the Clippers with a fracture in his wrist. But if you were just watching the Clippers play the Houston Rockets last night, you would have no idea that it was his first game back.</p>
<p>Gordon showed no signs of rust, converting on eight of his 16 shot attempts for a game-high 24 points, leading the Clippers to a 106-103 win. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=6177044">According to Pedro Moura of ESPN</a>, Gordon wanted to regain his rhythm by taking the ball to the hoop, early and often.</p>
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<p>"It just felt natural for me to get to the basket," Gordon said, adding that the 18-game break was the longest he's ever sat out in his basketball career. "But it's all about how the defense reads you: If it's a good shot, then take it; if it's not, then pass it up and drive it to the basket.</p>
<p>"I just tried to come out and play well and do the things I know how to do."</p>
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<p>On the season, Gordon is averaging just a shade over that 24 points per game. With that scoring punch back in the lineup, and the continued emergence of Blake Griffin inside, the Clippers have a legitimate inside-outside combo for the rest of the season.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2011/3/3/2027285/clippers-vs-rockets-eric-gordon-return-24-pointsJordan Ruby2011-03-02T22:16:10-08:002011-03-02T22:16:10-08:00William's Late Free Throws Lifts Clippers Past Rockets 106-103
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<p>Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) – Mo Williams finished with 17 points, including three free throws in the final 15 seconds, as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> edged the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Rockets</a>, 106-103, at Staples Center.
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<p>Williams gave Los Angeles a 104-100 advantage with the second of two from the line with 14.4 seconds left on the clock. After Chase Budinger connected on a long three-pointer inside the final 10 seconds, Williams iced a pair from the line for a 106-103 lead.</p>
<p>Budinger attempted a three at the buzzer, but the shot was far off target to end the game.</p>
<p>Eric Gordon led the Clippers with 24 points in his first game since missing significant time with a right wrist injury. Gordon last played on January 22.</p>
<p>Blake Griffin registered his 52nd double-double of the season with 20 points and 14 rebounds while Chris Kaman added 21 points and nine rebounds in a reserve role for LA, which snapped a five-game skid.</p>
<p>Kyle Lowry paced Houston with 24 points and 11 assists. Courtney Lee added 18 points in a reserve role while Kevin Martin and Luis Scola both finished with 12 points in the loss.</p>
<p>The Rockets had a five-game winning streak snapped.</p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2011/3/2/2026839/williams-late-free-throws-lifts-clippers-past-rockets-106-103Julio Nievas2011-03-02T15:46:44-08:002011-03-02T15:46:44-08:00Eric Gordon Back As Clippers Host Rockets At Staples Center
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<p><font size="2"> (Sports Network) - There's still plenty of time for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a> 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 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> at Staples Center. 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 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Trail Blazers</a> behind <span>Kyle Lowry</span>'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. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> <span>Luis Scola</span> shook off a knee strain to score 21 points and <span>Kevin Martin</span> posted 20 to help the Rockets end a four-game losing streak in the Rose City. "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." </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> 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. Los Angeles is expected to have talented point guard <span>Eric Gordon</span> 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. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> The Clippers have lost five straight and 12 of their last 14 games, including Monday's 105-99 setback at Sacramento. <span>Blake Griffin</span> posted his 51st double- double with 27 points and 12 rebounds, and <span>Mo Williams</span> made his Clippers debut with 16 points, five assists and five steals. The Clippers recorded a season- high 14 steals on the night. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> "They picked up the intensity and their crowd got into it," Griffin said of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Kings</a> in the fourth quarter. "We have to do a better job of matching that intensity." <span>Randy Foye</span> finished with 23 points for LA. <span>Jamario Moon</span> 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 <span>Baron Davis</span> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cavaliers</a> before the trade deadline. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> 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. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> 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. </font></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2011/3/2/2330725/eric-gordon-back-as-clippers-host-rockets-at-staples-centerEric Stephen