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| Scola leads Rockets over lowly Clippers HOUSTON 93, LA CLIPPERS 75 |
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HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Houston Rockets get their chance at revenge. Rookie Luis Scola had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets in Wednesday's 93-75 blowout victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in the season finale for both teams. With the win and Utah's loss, Houston (55-27) grabs home-court advantage in the opening round of its Western Conference playoff series against the Jazz (54-28) in a rematch of last season. "We wanted to set a tone going into the playoffs," Rockets guard Bobby Jackson said. "We knew if we won, we'd probably have home court. It's about being mentally prepared (in the playoffs), not physically prepared." But the Rockets will need to win at least one round for their season to be considered a success, regardless of their impressive 22-game winning streak. They haven't won a playoff series since the 1996-97 campaign. "Considering all the stuff we've been through this year, to get ourselves in a great position (for the playoffs) is a fantastic job on our part, despite losing Yao (Ming)," said Houston forward Tracy McGrady, who has never won a postseason series. Despite having home-court advantage in last season's playoffs, Houston still fell to Utah in the seventh and decisive game at home. "We should be proud of ourselves," McGrady added. "I feel good about (playing Utah). You want to seek some revenge. It took a while (to get over last year's seventh game loss). It's a different year, a different team. No flashbacks at all." "Playoffs are different," Houston forward Shane Battier said. "The intensity is raised. People counted us out a lot this year, when Yao went out. We're pretty familiar with Utah. If anything, last year, we were overprepared with Jeff Van Gundy. Okur makes (Utah) as difficult a matchup as any in the NBA." Jackson scored 15 points and McGrady handed out 11 assists for the Rockets, who jumped out to a commanding 35-17 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. Corey Maggette netted 22 points off the bench and Elton Brand chipped in 18 and 12 boards for the Clippers, who finished their injury-plagued season at 23-59. Houston swept all three games from the Clippers this season. "(The Rockets) have found a way to win all season," Maggette said. "The key is Scola. He's not a rookie. He's a veteran and plays really big on the court." |
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