Russell Westbrook scores 40 to lead epic Rockets rally at Clippers

Russell Westbrook and James Harden combined for 68 points as the Rockets (19-9) overcame a 17-point deficit to defeat the host Clippers.

The Rockets went on 40-12 and 17-2 runs in the second half of Thursday’s wild game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, overcoming a 16-point deficit in the third quarter to defeat the host Clippers, 122-117 (box score).

Russell Westbrook led Houston with 40 points and 10 rebounds, becoming the first Rockets player not named James Harden to score 40 or more points in a game since Kevin Martin on Jan. 5, 2011.

Meanwhile, Harden had 28 points and 10 assists, with one of those dimes making him the franchise’s all-time assists leader.

Westbrook keyed the massive 40-12 run for the Rockets late in the third and early in the fourth quarters, in which Houston (19-9) turned a 77-61 deficit into a 101-89 lead with just over nine minutes left. Part of that run came with Harden on the bench and Westbrook leading the second unit.

Then, after the Clippers (21-9) responded with a 22-4 burst to go up 111-105, Harden took over down the stretch with 10 points in the final five minutes during a 17-2 Rockets run to secure the game.

Frontcourt startersย P.J. Tucker and Clint Capela offered key defensive contributions, especially late. Tucker had 10 points, 12 rebounds and helped limit Kawhi Leonard in the fourth, while Capela posted 16 points (8-of-9 shooting), eight rebounds, four steals, and a game-high plus/minus figure of +27 in his 39 minutes.

Paul George led Los Angeles with 34 points, but Harden took on the assignment of the Clippers’ leading scorer in the final five minutes and held him in check as the Rockets took command with that 17-2 burst.

The Rockets, who have now won eight of their last 11 games overall, return to action Saturday night at Phoenix (11-16) for the second game of a four-game West Coast road trip.

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