Houston (USA), May 15 (EFE) .- Canadian power forward Kelly Olynyk scored 20 points and was one rebound from a triple-double that helped the Houston Rockets end a seven-year streak consecutive defeats after beating the Los Angeles Clippers 122-115 that gave rest to several starters.
Olynyk added 11 assists and nine rebounds to help the Rockets win for the first time since April 29.
The Clippers went into the game without their stars, forwards Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and point guard Patrick Beverley, who rested with a view to the playoffs.
The loss, coupled with a Denver Nuggets away win over the Detroit Pistons (91-104) leaves the Clippers (47-24) tied for third in the Western Conference with one game to go.
Guard Luke Kennard, with 23 points, including three triples, finished as the leader of the Clippers, who also had the support of rookie Jay Scrubb, who played his third game with the Los Angeles team, first starting, and contributed 17 points.
The big news for the Clippers was seeing Spanish Congolese center Serge Ibaka in action again, playing his first game after missing 30 with a back injury.
Ibaka, who came out of reserve, contributed 15 points in the 17 minutes he played, after scoring 6 of 8 shots from the field, missed a triple attempt and hit 3 of 4 from the personnel line. In addition to grabbing seven rebounds, including four defenders, he gave four assists and a personal foul.
(c) EFE Agency