Blake Griffin was out for the Clippers just six minutes into the game (back spasms have him day-to-day), and that set them on their heels — the Rockets led by 15 at one point in the early in the second quarter.
Then Chris Paul took over.
The best point guard in the game scored 30 points — 17 of them in the second quarter when the Clippers put up 38 points to lead by 3 at the half — and dished out 12 assists to lead the Clippers to a season sweep of the Rockets, 118-107. Without Patrick Beverley or Dwight Howard to slow him, Paul was able to do what he wanted but he was also knocking down shots, hitting 5-of-9 from three.
CP3 got help — Houston native DeAndre Jordan had 20 points, 11 rebounds and six blocked shots. The Clippers earlier this season showed they could win without Paul, on Saturday night they showed they can beat a good team with him but without Blake Griffin.