Rockets get 122-115 win with Clippers resting stars

<p>HOUSTON &mdash; Kelly Olynyk scored 20 points and fell a rebound shy of a triple-double as the Houston Rockets snapped a seven-game skid with a 122-115 victory over a Los Angeles Clippers team that rested several starters Friday night. </p>
<p>Olynyk had 11 assists and nine rebounds to help the Rockets win for the first time since April 29.</p>
<p>The Clippers were without Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Patrick Beverley as all three sat out on the second night of back-to-back games as the team prepares for the playoffs. </p>
<p>The loss coupled with a win by Denver on Friday night leaves the Clippers in a tie for third place in the Western Conference with one game remaining. </p>
<p>The Rockets, who have the NBA’s worst record at 17-54, won for just the second time in the last 14 games thanks to a balanced scoring effort where seven players scored at least 10 points. </p>
<p>Rookie Jae’Sean Tate added 20 points and Khyri Thomas and Anthony Lamb added 17 points each for Houston.</p>
<p>The Rockets trailed by as many as 11 in the first half but used a 43-point second quarter to take an 83-79 lead into halftime. </p>
<p>A 3-pointer by Luke Kennard got the Clippers within four with about eight minutes left in the third quarter. The Rockets then used a 14-5 run, powered by seven points from D.J. Augustin, to extend the lead to 97-84 with about four minutes left in the third. </p>
<p>A basket by DeMarcus Cousins cut the lead to 11 early in the fourth quarter. But Thomas scored four quick points for the Rockets to make it 112-97 with about eight minutes to go. </p>
<p>Kennard led the Clippers with 23 points and Rajon Rondo had nine points and a season-high 13 assists. </p>
<p>TIP-INS</p>
<p>Rockets: Avery Bradley missed a fifth straight game due to personal reasons. … Christian Wood missed his sixth consecutive game because of a sore right ankle. … Kevin Porter Jr. sat out for a fifth straight game with a sprained left ankle. </p>
<p>Clippers: Ibaka returned after missing 30 games with lower back tightness. He had 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 17 minutes. … Cousins scored 13 points off the bench. </p>
<p>UP NEXT</p>
<p>Rockets: End the season Sunday night at Atlanta. </p>
<p>Clippers: Wrap up the regular season Sunday night at Oklahoma City. </p>
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