If I told you the following things would happen in Game 6 of the Rockets-Clippers Western Conference Semifinals series, how do you think it would have ended?
- Blake Griffin will have 28 points at the end of the third quarter, including this shot.
- The Clippers will lead by 13 going into the fourth quarter, after leading by as many as 19 in the third (not to mention the fact the Rockets are 0-49 — all time — in playoff games they were losing by double digits heading into the fourth quarter).
- James Harden will sit the entire fourth quarter.
Sounds like smooth sailing to the conference finals for the Clippers, right? Nope.
Anyone who turned the game off after 36 minutes missed the Josh Smith show in the fourth quarter. Yes, that Josh Smith. While Harden sat, J-Smoove & Co. went to work defensively, while pulling a bunch of threes out of their collective asses on the other end for an improbable 119-107 win. The Clippers went completely cold, missing every field goal attempt from the 6:47 mark of the fourth quarter on, until Chris Paul hit a meaningless shot as the final buzzer sounded.
The good news for the Clippers is that Game 7 — their second in as many series — isn’t until Sunday, giving them an extra day’s rest before the win-or-go-home showdown in Houston. Meanwhile, the Rockets are riding high on momentum, and with Harden well rested, who knows what could transpire on their home floor. A series that appeared over after four games is now the most intriguing series in this round of the playoffs.
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