Chris Paul/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Clippers, NBA.com
The Clippers had beaten the Houston Rockets twice before losing to them 110-105 on Wednesday at Houston. The difference, according to Chris Paul, was the success Houston had from both the 3-point line as well as the free-throw line on Wednesday.
Houston was 10 of 37 (27 percent) from 3-point range and made 11 of 15 (73.3 percent) from the free-throw line in a 102-85 loss to the Clippers on Nov. 28 at Houston. The Rockets made just 9 of 45 from (20 percent) from 3-point range, but made 18 of 22 (81.8 percent) from the free-throw line in a 110-95 loss to the Clippers on Feb. 11 at Staples Center.
On Wednesday, Houston made 17 of 44 (38.6 percent) from 3-point range and 21 of 30 (70 percent) from the free-throw line.
That means the Rockets scored 41 points combined from 3-point range and the free-throw line on Nov. 28 and 45 points on Feb. 11. On Wednesday, that number rose dramatically to 72 points combined.
“They got way too many 3s,” Paul said post-game. “Threes and free throws is what they do. That’s why we’ve been so successful on them, by not letting them get both. And tonight they got everything.”