The Canadian power forward Kelly Olynyk scored 20 points and was one rebound from a triple-double who helped the Houston Rockets put end to a seven-game losing streak after beating the Los Angeles Clippers 122-115, which gave several starters a break.
Olynyk added 11 assists and 9 rebounds to help the Rockets win for the first time since April 29.
The Clippers went into the game without their stars, the 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.
The escort Luke Kennard, with 23 points, including three triples, finished as the leader of the Clippers, who also had the support of the rookie Jay scrubb, who played his third game with the Los Angeles team, first as a starter, and contributed 17 points.
The big news for the Clippers was to see the Spanish Congolese center back in action. Serge Ibaka who played his first match after missing 30 to a back injury.
Ibaka, which came out of reserve, contributed 15 points in the 17 minutes he playedAfter scoring 6 of 8 field goals, he missed a triple attempt and hit 3 of 4 from the personnel line. In addition to capturing 7 rebounds, including 4 defenders, he gave 4 assists and committed a personal foul.