Harden, Howard lead Rockets to series-tying win over Clippers

Faced with the prospect of going down two games at home against a Los Angeles Clippers squad minus Chris Paul, the Houston Rockets came through with a must-win Wednesday night.  

James Harden scored 32 points and Houston set a franchise playoff record with 64 free-throws attempted in a 115-109 win, squaring the Western Conference semifinal at a game apiece as the teams head to L.A. on Friday.

Turning Point

The Rockets took a 90-88 lead with a Trevor Ariza three off a Harden steal in the fourth quarter, but Houston planted the seeds of its comeback in the third when it switched Dwight Howard onto Griffin. 

Griffin only scored eight points in the second half, but found himself in foul trouble, like most Clippers. L.A. ran cold from deep, shooting 24 percent from beyond the arc - but then again so did the Rockets, who were 5-of-26.

Griffin finished with 34 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block, while Howard went 8-of-11 from the field for 24 points, adding 16 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass. 

Jamal Crawford shot 6-of-22 and was 1-of-8 from deep.

The Clippers cut the lead to four with under a minute left in the game, but comeback hopes were effectively snuffed out when Austin Rivers crossed himself up and turned the ball over, just like he did in Game 1.

Star Performer

Harden's struggles against the Clippers are real - his 35.8 field goal percentage and 51 percent true shooting percentage in 20 regular-season games against them are his lowest against any NBA team. But he led the Rockets' comeback Wednesday, finishing with 32 points and dishing seven assists. 

While Harden turned the ball over seven times, he - as usual - earned his free throws, going a perfect 15-of-15 from the line. 

Highlight Reel

Harden's 25-foot trey extended the Rockets' lead to nine in the fourth quarter.

But the first half was all about Griffin.

Series at a Glance

Game 1: Clippers 117, Rockets 101
Game 2: Rockets 115, Clippers 109
Game 3: Friday, May 8, 10:30 p.m. ET
Game 4: Sunday, May 10, 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 5: Tuesday, May 12, TBD 
Game 6*: Thursday, May 14, TBD
Game 7*: Sunday, May 17, TBD

*If necessary