LOS ANGELES — Center DeAndre Jordan scored 24 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers continued their recent dominance of the Houston Rockets with a 110-95 victory on Wednesday night at Staples Center.
It was the third game in the last six Jordan had produced at least 20 points and 20 boards. Forward Jamal Crawford and guard J.J. Redick scored 20 points apiece for the Clippers (35-19), who defeated the Rockets (36-17) for the sixth consecutive time. Point guard Chris Paul finished with 12 points and 12 assists. Forward Spencer Hawes also scored 12 for Los Angeles.
Forward Corey Brewer came off the bench to score 22 points for Houston, while forward Josh Smith added 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Rockets guard James Harden, who was coming off back-to-back outings of 40 and 45 points, struggled again against the Clippers, managing just nine points on 3-of-12 shooting and missing all seven of his 3-point attempts. Harden, the league’s leading scorer, entered the game averaging 18.6 points per game in the last five meetings against Los Angeles.
The Clippers took control early in the fourth, opening the quarter with a 9-2 surge for a 89-81 lead after a 3-point basket by Crawford with 9:11 remaining in the game.
They stretched the margin to 100-88 after three free throws by Crawford with 4:47 left. Houston, despite resorting to intentionally fouling Jordan, a 41 percent foul shooter entering the game, who made just 12-of-26 of his free throws, failed to get any closer than 10 the rest of the way.
It was the Clippers’ second game without All-Star forward Blake Griffin, who is expected to miss at least three weeks after having surgery on his right elbow. Without Griffin, who watched the game from the bench in street clothes, the Clippes are 2-0.
The Rockets held a 56-54 lead at the half. They hit 53.5 percent of their shots compared to 44.2 percent for the Clippers. Redick led all scorers with 14 points at the break.
Overall, Los Angeles connected on 48.1 percent of its shots to 39.1 for Houston.
NOTES: Clippers coach Doc Rivers said he was a huge admirer of the late Jerry Tarkanian, the 84-year-old former UNLV coach who died Wednesday after dealing with a variety of health issues. “I just always loved his spirit,” Rivers said. “I’ve always been a big ‘Tark’ fan. I never felt like he got his due.” … Houston F Terrence Jones missed his second straight game with flu-like symptoms. … The Clippers won the initial encounter with the Rockets 102-85 in Houston on Nov. 28. … Both clubs are off until after the All-Star break. The Clippers resume play Feb. 19 against the San Antonio Spurs at the Staples Center. The Rockets visit the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 20.