LOS ANGELES – DeAndre Jordan had 26 points, 17 rebounds and shot a shocking 34 free throws as he sparked a 29-7 third quarter run and the Los Angeles Clippers routed the Rockets 128-95 for the second straight game.
"I didn't even know how many I was shooting," said Jordan of his 34 attempts from the line. "I was just trying to make as many as I could for our team and on the other end of the floor try and get as many stops as I could in a row."
Blake Griffin scored 21 points and Chris Paul had 15 points and 12 assists as the Clippers now lead the best-of-seven series 3-1.
Jordan shot an NBA record, 28 free throws in the first half and made 14 of 34 in the game. In total, both teams shot a combined 93 free throws for the game.
"Anybody who shoots 28 free throws in the first half is just crazy," joked Griffin of the record. "I've never witnessed that or experienced anything like that in my life."
The Clippers had six players in double figures as J.J. Redick had 18, Jamal Crawford 13 and Austin Rivers scored 12 off the bench for his fourth consecutive game in double figures this series.
The Rockets are now on the brink of elimination as the Clippers can close out the series on Tuesday in Houston and advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.
"It's a great opportunity, but that's not what we want to achieve," Jordan added. "We want to be able to win nine more games and we still have business to take care of."
James Harden scored 21 points with 8 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the Rockets. Trevor Ariza had 18 and Jason Terry scored 16. No Rockets player off the bench scored in double figures.
"We're not moving on the offensive end," said a frustrated Harden after the game. "We're pretty much stagnant, so it makes it easier for them to load up and play defense. They're a really good defensive team and they're not going to change so we need to move and cut and create open shots."
Jordan dominated the battle of the big men on Sunday as Rockets center Dwight Howard was in foul trouble for the most of the game. The three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year finished with just seven points and a paltry six rebounds.
Howard and Clippers forward Matt Barnes were involved in several altercations throughout the game as the Rockets frustration boiled over during the third court. Howard and Barnes tangled arms and exchanged words on numerous occasions, the first of which resulted in a technical foul for Howard.
"It's frustrating," said Howard of his performance. "I get emotional when I'm playing in the playoffs and I want to win so bad. It's frustrating at times, but I have to try my best to keep my cool."
Howard threw Griffin to the ground in the third quarter as the forward was going up for a dunk. It looked like it could have been called a flagrant foul, but after review it was called a common foul and Howard went to the bench with five personals.
"My entire career everybody says I need to punch somebody," said Griffin of the hard foul and his ability to keep his cool. "I never have. The Playoffs aren't any different. Hard fouls are part of Playoff basketball."
Howard picked up his sixth and final foul with 9:52 left in the game. He was ejected shortly thereafter for receiving his second technical foul of the game.
"I don't know why I was ejected," said Howard candidly. "I didn't do anything. We just have to get ready for the next game."
The Clippers opened the third quarter on a 15-2 run to go up by a 28 points, the biggest lead in the game by either team. Jordan and Paul brought the crowd to their feet as Lob City landed in Los Angeles during the spurt. Paul found Jordan for three straight alley-oop dunks, the last of which was a thunderous one-handed slam that brought Clippers owner Steve Ballmer to his feet.
"There was a moment of truth where the game could have gone either way," said Crawford of the third quarter. "In the first five minutes, the starters set the tone and from there we just got rolling."
The Clippers scored 103 points after three quarters enacting "Lawler's Law" with 12 minutes left to play for the first time all series. The Rockets have given up 107, 109, 124 and 128 points in the firs four games of the series.
"We're out of sync and we're not playing well," said Houston head coach Kevin McHale. "We've played in four games and we've only had one half in the second game where I thought we came out and really played well as far as defense, getting our assignments, and being aggressive."
For the second game in a row, the Staples Center crowd chanted "Austin Rivers," the son of Clippers coach Doc Rivers who has been terrific throughout the series.
Game Notes:
Floyd "Money" Mayweather, Nerlens Noel, Anthony Anderson, and Roger Clemens all sat courtside during the game.
The Clippers are now 13-0 this season when Jordan shoots more than 14 free throws in a game.
Jordan was shown on the jumbotron during the fourth quarter with the game already in hand, at first the Clippers center gave the camera a stone-cold stare, but then fixed his eyebrows and smiled as the crowd cheered in celebration.
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