Clippers vs. Houston Rockets: Looking back on this season’s results

The Clippers open their second-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets on Monday at 6:30 p.m. PDT.

Both teams finished with 56 wins in the regular season. They split their four games against each other, the Rockets winning their last two meetings.

Clippers superstar power forward Blake Griffin missed two of the team’s games against the Rockets this season -- on Feb. 11 and Feb. 25 -- because of a staph infection in his right elbow that required surgery. Rockets’ superstar center Dwight Howard missed each of his team’s four games against the Clippers because of a knee injury.

Here’s a look at how those four games went down:

March 15: Rockets win, 100-98

The Clippers overcame a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 96-96 with just over three minutes left after Chris Paul made a three-pointer.

With 12 seconds left and the Clippers down, 99-98, Blake Griffin got called for a charging foul against Trevor Ariza as he penetrated the lane.

James Harden then made one of two free throws with 8.9 seconds left to put the Rockets up by two, and Paul missed his chance to tie the game with 1.2 seconds left, falling short on a fade-away jumper.

Feb. 25: Rockets win, 110-105

The Rockets opened the fourth quarter with a 15-1 run to turn a one-point deficit at the top of the quarter to a 13-point lead with 7 minutes and 32 seconds left.

The Clippers went on a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to four points, 109-105, with 37.8 seconds left, but they couldn’t complete the comeback.

Feb. 11: Clippers win, 110-95

The game featured 14 lead changes and 14 ties, the Clippers taking their biggest lead in the fourth quarter at 15 points, 110-95, after DeAndre Jordan tipped the ball in with 38.8 seconds left.

The Clippers, who ended the third quarter up by only one point, outscored the Rockets in the fourth quarter, 28-16.

Jordan shot more free throws (26) than the entire Rockets team (22), making 12 of his attempts.

The Clippers’ center led the team with 24 points and 20 rebounds, his second consecutive 20-20 performance.

Nov. 28: Clippers win, 102-85

The Clippers held the Rockets to 13 points in the fourth quarter on four-for-22 (18.2%) shooting. The Rockets didn’t score their first field goal in the fourth until there were 3 minutes and 12 seconds left.

The Clippers led by as much as 24 points, and outshot the Rockets from the field, 47% to 39%, and from beyond the three-point line, 36% to 27%.