The Houston Rockets have secured a 115-109 win in game two of their Western Conference semi-final playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The home side made the stronger start, dominating the first quarter, with Dwight Howard and Trevor Ariza putting Houston 11 points up by the end of the opening period.
The Clippers took control before the break though, outscoring Houston 41-21 in the second quarter thanks to a run of points from Blake Griffin, who added 26 of his 34 in the first half.
The Rockets were still two points behind heading into the fourth quarter, but James Harden led a late push, adding 16 of his 32 points in the final spell to edge the side back ahead.
Jamal Crawford and DeAndre Jordan tried to get LA back into the game in the final minute, but Howard and Harden did enough to make sure Houston did not fall behind again.
The teams meet again at the Staples Center on Friday.
Sian Cowper
