Paul returns, but it's Rivers who shines as Clippers roll Rockets in Game 3

Friday night's Game 3 between the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets featured Chris Paul's much-anticipated return from a hamstring strain that cost him the first two games of the series.

As well as Paul played in restricted minutes, though, several other Clippers shone even brighter, and they got a total team effort in steamrolling the Rockets 124-99 to take a 2-1 series lead.

The Rockets got off to a strong start, and with Paul moving gingerly and Dwight Howard beasting early in the first quarter, Houston got out to an 11-8 lead.

But the Clippers quickly got their act together, with Paul assisting on the next five consecutive baskets. A J.J. Redick triple knotted things up at 11, and the Rockets never led again.

Houston did manage to get a small measure of revenge, as Terrence Jones laid a hard foul on Matt Barnes, perhaps as payback for Barnes' obscene comments towards James Harden's mother during Game 2.

It ultimately failed to fire the team up enough to put a serious run together, and by the end of the half, Paul clearly had his mojo back.

The Rockets hung around for a time, but a ridiculous third-quarter run from the Clippers (more on this shortly) buried them.

Turning Point

The Rockets came out gunning after the halftime break, and in the midst of a see-saw third quarter, a Corey Brewer triple at the 3:49 mark narrowed the deficit to five points.

In that 3:49, though, the Clippers outscored the Rockers with an 18-0 run. Amazingly, that entire run happened with Paul on the bench.

It was coach's son/media punching bag Austin freaking Rivers doing most of the damage, scoring 13 of those 18 points, flashing a healthy dose of confidence and swagger in the process.

Star Performer

Amidst all the (justifiable) hubbub over Rivers, Redick quietly had one of the best games of the postseason thus far.

He was his typically active self, slashing and changing direction and darting around screens all night. He also just flat-out knocked down every look he got, finishing with a game-high 31 points on a scorching 11-of-14 shooting and 5-of-6 from downtown.

Still, it wasn't Redick's name the fans at Staples Center were chanting.

Rivers was equally dead-eyed, hitting 10-of-13 and 3-of-6 from deep for 25 points in 23 minutes. He also tossed in six rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.

This was Austin's night.

Highlight Reel

Paul and Blake Griffin got re-acquainted right off the bat, running the two-man game to produce a thunderous Griffin jam early in the first quarter.

Another Paul-to-Griffin hookup, this one featuring a wizardly underhand pass from Paul after drawing the double-team.

Series at a Glance

Game 1: Clippers 117, Rockets 101 (Clippers lead 1-0)
Game 2: Rockets 115, Clippers 109 (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: Clippers 124, Rockets 99 (Clippers lead 2-1)
Game 4: Sunday, May 10, 8:30 p.m. ET
Game 5: Tuesday, May 12, 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 6*: Thursday, May 14, TBD
Game 7*: Sunday, May 17, TBD

* If necessary