Clippers Have a Blast as Losing Streak Ends

Like a jockey going to the whip down the stretch in the Kentucky Derby, Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry wouldn’t let up on his team despite a 20-point plus lead over the Houston Rockets in the second half.

That’s because Gentry knew better and so did his players. They remembered the numerous blown leads and losses late in games this season and they were determined not to let it happen again Thursday night.

And it didn’t.

The Clippers finally rediscovered their shooting touch and that was enough to end a nine-game losing streak as they crushed the Rockets, 101-84, before 11,124 at Compaq Center.

“We didn’t want to be up by [27 points] and then win . . . on a last shot,” said Lamar Odom, who had 19 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds despite playing with an injured left wrist and knee. “We have to learn how to close games out and tonight was a good learning lesson.”

After shooting poorly and getting dominated in consecutive losses to the San Antonio Spurs, the Clippers shot 51.8% and played inspired basketball for 48 minutes on Thursday.

“I wanted to make sure we stayed aggressive with our offense,” Gentry said. “We’ve been playing pretty good defense but if you don’t score it puts too much pressure on your defense.”

The loss had the Rockets, who dropped to 0-2 against the Clippers this season, questioning themselves.

“It’s [the players’] fault,” said former Clipper Maurice Taylor, who led Houston with 16 points and six rebounds. “It’s not the coaches’ fault. We came out on the floor and didn’t get the job done.”

Five Clippers reached double figures in points and every player who played scored at least a basket. The Clippers made six of 11 three-pointers, with Odom sinking three of them, and they had an eye-opening 23 assists to go with only seven turnovers.

“It feels good to finally get a win because it was getting to the point where we started thinking about [the losing streak] too much,” center Michael Olowokandi said. “Hopefully, everyone will feel more comfortable making their shots now.”

With leading scorer and rebounder Steve Francis arriving late for the game because he missed a return flight to Houston after going home to Maryland on Wednesday for personal reasons, the Rockets played like a lost team. Moochie Norris started at point guard, but he’s not Francis and the Clippers attacked every area of Houston’s offense from the start.

The Clippers limited the Rockets to six field goals in the first quarter and Odom made sure his teammates got involved early in the offense. The tactic worked because every starter scored a basket and the Clippers held a 22-14 lead after one quarter.

Throughout their losing streak, the Clippers didn’t play bad defense, but they were outstanding in the first half against the Rockets. In limiting Houston to 37.8% shooting over the first two quarters, the Clippers held Hakeem Olajuwon and Shandon Anderson to a combined 0-for-8 shooting.

Houston tried to rally in the second half once Francis entered the game, but the Clippers’ 50-36 halftime lead proved to be too much. With Odom finally looking for his shot, the Clippers extended their lead to 79-57 heading into the fourth quarter.

“I was focusing in on getting my teammates their shots and then let my shots come later on,” said Odom, who had 15 points in the second half. “When they did come, I was able to hit them.”

The Clippers, who scored 67 and 70 points in losses to the Spurs, ended up scoring more than 100 points for only the 10th time this season. They also improved to 6-0 in games in which they shoot 50% or higher.

Eric Piatkowski finished with 15 points, Jeff McInnis 14, Darius Miles 11 and Corey Maggette 10 for the Clippers, who had not won at Compaq Center since Jan. 4, 1997.

“All it is, is making your shots,” Gentry said. “If we make our shots we are better defensively. It’s not like this team has not been playing hard. The bottom line is we stepped up and made our shots and won the game.”

Now the Clippers will try to make it two in a row when they play the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday at Staples Center.