Diary of the Rockets game against the Los Angeles Clippers

November 8, 12:38 PMHouston Rockets ExaminerDavid Hartnett

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In attempt to do something new for the Rockets game against the L.A. Clippers, I prepared a live diary of the game rather than writing a column following the game's conclusion. Enjoy.

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9:30 p.m: The game is about to begin, and it’s good to see the Rockets back out on the court. Thankfully —after two consecutive losses — the Rockets go against the Clippers. The Rockets should get back to their winning ways against this winless crew.

Coming into the game, despite their injuries, the Clippers are currently the worst team in the NBA. With a 0-5 record, and an average margin of defeat 20 points, they are preparing their fans for another season cumulating with a lottery pick.

9:55 p.m: The first timeout has been called, and the Rockets are up 15-6 with five minutes left in the first quarter. Yao came out strong on the defensive end with two blocks on the Clippers first three offensive possesions. Good lateral movement by the big guy to begin the game. Scola continues to hit those 15-foot jumpers along the baseline. He has six points, and may not miss a shot the way he’s been playing. For Artest, well unless he’s shooting a 3-pointer, he is just throwing up bricks.

10:00 p.m: Scola Watch ’08, Luis Scola 14 points, Los Angeles Clippers 10. It’s a 15-point lead for the Rockets now (25-10). After three consecutive missed shots by the Rockets, followed by three consecutive offensive rebounds, Ron Artest finished the offensive series with a lay-up. The Clippers calle a timeout, and see if they can regroup.

10:07 p.m: The first quarter is over (Rockets lead 25-18), and there is some fight in these Clippers after all. They went on an 8-0 run to end the quarter; led by Baron Davis,  who finished the quarter with eight points. Scola had a great opening quarter, with 14 points (7-of-10) and five rebounds. There doesn’t seem to be too much of a hangover from yesterday’s game.

10:18 p.m: A Steve Novak sighting! The 15-point lead the Rockets had not too long ago is now gone. Due to a 16-4 run by the Clippers, the lead is down to three. Yao is back in the game, and hit his first shot, a hookshot in the paint. Yao seems much more comfortable out there; this is in direct contrast with the way he has played the last two games.

10:31 p.m: At the way this game is progressing, Yao may have a triple-double. With 2:53 left in the first half, Yao has eight points, four rebounds and four blocks. He’s getting double-teamed, but has found an open Artest who hit two consecutive 3-pointers. Yao seems to be trying to make amends for his putrid performance the last two games. The Rockets have expanded the lead to seven (43-36), but the Clippers aren’t going away.

10:45 p.m: It’s halftime and the Rockets are up 49-41. Carl Landry to closed out the half with a powerful dunk against two Clippers defenders. The offensive execution for the Rockets has been something to be desired. They are scoring, but the plays that are called apparently aren’t being executed in the manner which they should. The Rockets starting frontcourt is carrying them so far. Yao has 10 points, Artest has 11, and Scola has a team-leading 14. While Baron Davis is keeping the Clippers in the game with 14 points, his teammates are having a difficult time scoring.

11:01 p.m: The Clippers have started the second half with an offensive explosion, making eight of their first 10 shots to cut the lead to one, 59-58. In addition — thanks to a poor call by the officials — Luis Scola just got his fifth foul, and is likely out until midway through the fourth quarter.

11:07 p.m: The Clippers are keeping this close, 62-60. Yao leads the team with 15 points, but I have to agree with Bill Worrell, he’s getting beat up in the paint, and nothing is being called. Brian Skinner has a pair of “blocks” on Yao, but he’s just smacking his arm to alter the shot. There is a lot of time left, and the Clippers may actually pull this one out. By the way, where is T-Mac?

11:22 p.m: Well, the fourth quarter is about to begin, and the Rockets continue to hold on to a narrow lead, 71-66. Everytime the Clippers have a chance to tie the game, they blow the opportunity. Though this Clippers team isn’t quitting, as both Chris Kaman and Baron Davis are keeping them in the game with 16 and 19 points respectively.

11:38 p.m: The Rockets lead is up to nine points — 84-75 — and it looks like now is the time the Rockets will pull away from the Clippers. Ron Artest is taking over, as T-Mac is noticeably quiet. I’m not sure if T-Mac has played in the fourth quarter. Currently, Artest has a game-high 23 points, and continues to give the team a viable option on the offensive end alongside Yao.

11:43 p.m: There is only 2:15 left in the game, and the Rockets are up 88-81. Carl Landry has the team’s last four points, but the Rockets can’t seem to contain Kaman on the offensive end. He continues to score with relative ease. This may cause problems in the last couple of minutes.

11:53 p.m: The game is over, and the Rockets snap their two-game losing streak with a 92-83 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Overall, it wasn’t a bad victory. Yao didn’t have a great game, but his 16 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks gave the team exactly what they needed. Artest was solid in the second half. While for much of the first half he was primarily hitting 3-pointers, in the second half he continued to drive to the lane and give the Rockets relatively easy baskets.

Carl Landry played well towards the end. He scored six of the last eight Rockets points, but more importantly, he picked up the pace set for him by Scola. T-Mac finished the game with 2 points, and failed to make a field goal. Obviously, his conditioning isn’t at where it should be. He seemed sluggish after playing 44 minutes the night before.

The Clippers got good performances by both Kaman and Baron Davis, but no one else seemed to do much.

Next up for the Rockets are the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday night.

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Player of the Game:

ScoLandry, 34 points, 16 rebounds

Scola started the game hitting just about everything he was given along the baseline. However, as foul trouble limited his time on the court, Landry picked up the pace. With a few big dunks in the second half, and some key rebounds, Landry keeps showing how valuable of an option he is off the bench.

Goat(s) of the Game:

All Clippers not named Baron Davis or Chris Kaman.  Collectively they shot 16 of 47.

Kaman and Davis earned their paychecks tonight.  What did the rest do?