Clippers Have Epic Collapse, Will Face Game 7 in Houston

The Clippers had the game all wrapped up, complete with confetti ready to pop in less than fifteen minutes for their first trip to the Conference Final in franchise history.

The fourth quarter saw their perfect story unravel as the Rockets went on a 33-10 run that destroyed the Clippers huge lead and won the game 119-107.

Amazingly, the fourth quarter run did not feature James Harden as he watched his team close the deficit and take the lead.

The Clippers offense collapsed as the Rockets mounted a comeback late in the third where they began to chip away at the 19-point lead held by the Clippers.

The Rockets were sparked by Josh Smith who had 14 points in the fourth quarter while Houston’s MVP candidate remained absent.

It was seven three-pointers in the fourth quarter that delivered the majority of the damage to the Clippers lead.

Game 7 could very well be the defining moment for this Clippers squad

Chris Paul did his best to deliver the final nail as he led the Clippers with 31 points and 11 assists.  His two free-throws late in the fourth quarter were the only points made by the team in the closing minutes before a last second three-pointer by Austin Rivers at a time when the game had long since been decided.

Blake Griffin was not his usual self as he provided 26 points but only two assists and eight rebounds, unlike the dominating double-double performance he has put in in games where the team won by a 20-point margin.

DeAndre Jordan was also subdued on the night, chipping in eight points and nine rebounds.

To help put their fourth quarter fallout into perspective, the team missed a total of 14 shots from the field.

May 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Rockets center

(12) backs down Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

For the Rockets, the team was led by Harden who provided 23 points despite sitting on the bench as the team closed out the game in the fourth quarter.

Dwight Howard had an impressive night as he lifted his team with 20 points and 21 rebounds, all of this despite making only 6-of-16 free-throw attempts.

Josh Smith had 19 points overall and was matched by Corey Brewer who came off the bench to add to Houston’s powerful comeback.

The Clippers epic collapse leaves them scrambling for answers as the Rockets have survived a 3-1 series deficit to force a Game 7 back at the Toyota Center in Houston.

The Clippers now find themselves in an unenviable position.

Historically, teams that are up 3-1 in tend to win the series — teams that play Game 7 at home tend to win at nearly the same percentage — which means that Los Angeles will need a phenomenal performance if they are to overcome the Rockets.

A victory would send the Clippers to the Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history, which would also be a first for players such as Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and  most others.

Bottom Line: The Clippers’ time to win is now or never

The game will likely be seen as a last stand as DeAndre Jordan enters free-agency this summer.

Also, the reputation of the Clippers looms mightily over them and there is the sense that this year is the last chance for the team to succeed before the front office makes drastic changes to the squad.

The Clippers will have one last chance to overcome the Rockets on Sunday, at the Toyota Center in Houston, live at 12:30 pm PT on TNT.