With a playoff spot on the line for the National Basketball Association's (NBA) playoffs approaching, Blake Griffin and the Los Angeles Clippers falter to the Houston Rockets at home (100-98).

The game signified Griffin's return to the Clippers after missing 15 games after having surgery to remove his staph infection in his right elbow. While his return cause many fans to rejoice, his performance was not a happy sight, most especially to Griffin himself.

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In a post-game interview, Griffin said that he did not play well. He earned 11 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists all in over 40 minutes on the floor.

"I was out of rhythm --- way too many turnovers. I didn't put us in a position to win. I've got to be better," Griffin said.

Head Coach Doc Rivers was not as critical though, praising Griffin's passing ability that complemented Chris Paul's.

Griffin started out as facilitator early on in the first quarter, dishing out four assists to his teammates. He helped set up a couple of three point shots by J.J. Redick and Matt Barnes, and even an alley-oop dunk with DeAndre Jordan.

With time running out in the fourth, the Clippers looked poised to win after a 13-3 run that was capped by a jumper by Paul. The score was tied at 96.

With 1:55 to go, Terence Jones dropped a three pointer that put the Rockets up by three. A pass from Harden to Ariza was intercepted by Griffin, but luck wasn't on the Clippers' side as a foul was called against Griffin.  

James Harden and the Rockets were just better than the Clippers this outing.

Harden scored 34 points, while Jones had 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Trevor Ariza contributed 19 points. Their pooled efforts helped move the Rockets to two games of the stagnant Memphis Grizzlies for the Southwest Division lead.

The Clippers had just come off a loss to the Dallas Mavericks, a team who they had beat two times previously this season. They hoped to beat the Rockets at home to bounce back from their loss and improve their ranking for the playoffs.

However, they fell short to the Rockets who they had also beaten twice this season.

Tagsblake griffin, LA Clippers