Turnovers, missed shots and a monstrous fourth quarter by Kawhi Leonard doomed the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night in their final game before the All-Star break.
The Rockets had been in control for much of the game, with only one lead change through the third quarter and Houston having led by as many as 15 points.
But third quarter shooting woes caught up with the Rockets, as did turnovers. The Rockets fell 105-102 to the Clippers, despite shooting 56 percent from the field and playing high-level defense at times in the first half.
Leonard had 19 fourth-quarter points. The Rockets had 21 turnovers. Twelve of those turnovers came in the second half - five in the third quarter and seven in the fourth.
The Rockets were 14-for-18 from the free throw line, but misses from All-Stars Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun down the stretch proved to be costly.
With the game tied after Sengun split a pair of free throws, Leonard drove to his right, rose above Amen Thompson and was fouled by Jae'Sean Tate as he drained the mid-range jumper. The bucket and foul shot gave the Clippers their defining three-point lead.