An ill James Harden had 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, Dwight Howard added 20 points and 15 rebounds and Houston bounced back from two lopsided losses.
Houston used a 36-point second quarter to take a commanding lead and withstood a third-quarter surge by Los Angeles to lead by 14 entering the fourth.
Blake Griffin had 30 points and 16 rebounds, and Chris Paul added 22 points and 10 assists for the Clippers.
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