Leonard scores 31 as Clippers extend winning streak to 4

Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points, Reggie Jackson added 26 and the Los Angeles Clippers used a dominating second quarter Friday night to defeat the Houston Rockets 126-109 and extend their winning streak to four games.

The Clippers trailed by 10 at the end of the first quarter and found themselves down 40-26 with 9:57 remaining in the second before outscoring the Rockets 41-6 the remainder of the period.

Leonard scored 11 and Jackson connected on three of his six 3-pointers during the quarter to give Los Angeles a 67-46 advantage at the break. The Clippers were 15 of 21 from the field during the quarter while the Rockets missed 14 of 15 after making their first two shots.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, right, shoots as Houston Rockets forward Jae'Sean Tate defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoMark J. Terrill)

The Clippers said the 31-point quarter differential is tied for the second-largest in team history and the largest since they outscored the Lakers by 31 in the second quarter of March 2014 game.

According to Sportradar, which has quarter point differentials since 1996, it is the most the Rockets have been outscored in the second quarter and the second-most in any quarter. they were outscored by 32 (46-14) in the first quarter against Miami last season.

The Rockets worked their way back throughout the second half. They pulled within 11 at the end of the third quarter and had their deficit cut down to five (104-99) on Sterling Brown's 3-pointer but could not draw closer.

Houston Rockets forward Jae'Sean Tate, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, low center, defends along with guard Luke Kennard, lower right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoMark J. Terrill)

Christian Wood led Houston with 23 points and Jae’Sean Tate scored 18.

The Clippers won the game despite being short handed again. The team announced before the game that guard Patrick Beverley broke his left hand in Thursday's win over Phoenix and will be out for at least four weeks after undergoing surgery. LA was also without All-Star guard Paul George, who had two straight 30-point games, and Rajon Rondo.

George sat out the second game of a back-to-back set as he has been dealing with a lingering toe injury. Rondo has seen his minutes limited as he comes back from an adductor injury. Center Serge Ibaka (back) missed his 14th straight.

Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, right, shoots as Houston Rockets forward Kelly Olynyk defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoMark J. Terrill)

TIP INS

Rockets: Kevin Porter had 14 points and a career-high 12 assists for his second double-double.

Clippers: Jackson tied his career high for 3-pointers made in a half with five. ... The 10 points allowed in the second were the fewest in a quarter since last season when LA gave up 10 in the final 12 minutes against Toronto.

Houston Rockets forward Jae'Sean Tate, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Reggie Jackson defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoMark J. Terrill)

UP NEXT

Rockets: Continue their road trip at Golden State on Saturday.

Clippers: Conclude their nine-game homestand against Detroit on Sunday.

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Houston Rockets forward Sterling Brown, right, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, April 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoMark J. Terrill)