Clippers on Short End at Houston

HOUSTON — Akeem Olajuwon had 28 points and 8 rebounds in less than three periods of play, leading the Houston Rockets to a 126-98 National Basketball Assn. victory over the Clippers Friday night.

Rodney McCray added 17 points in three periods as five players scored in double figures for Houston, which won its third straight game.

The Clippers, who have lost 5 straight and 10 of their last 11 games, got 19 points from Mike Woodson and 17 from Michael Cage.

Olajuwon and Robert Reid combined for an 8-0 surge that gave the Rockets a 78-57 lead with eight minutes left in the third quarter. A 9-2 spurt, capped by Allen Leavell’s technical foul shot, made it 101-74 going into the final period.

McCray had 11 points and 4 assists in the first quarter, and Olajuwon scored 18 points in the first two periods as the Rockets built a 64-50 halftime lead.