The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Houston Rockets, 109-104, at Toyota Center on Friday night.

The Clippers (43-19) took the floor yet again without Kawhi Leonard (foot) on Friday night, and a game Houston Rockets (15-45) squad with no playoff aspirations appeared intent on taking advantage. Houston hung tough during a first half that culminated in a modest four-point halftime lead for Los Angeles, and they then took a their own four-point edge into the final period by impressively holding the visitors to just 11 third-quarter points. The Clippers would eventually retake the lead early in the fourth and hang on, although the game wasn't decided until Reggie Jackson's two free throws with four seconds remaining.

Paul George led the Clippers with 33 points, adding 14 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Reggie Jackson supplied 19 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Ivica Zubac and Patrick Patterson generated matching 12-point tallies while pulling down eight and six rebounds, respectively. Demarcus Cousins furnished 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists and one block. Amir Coffey totaled 10 points, five rebounds and three assists.

John Wall paced the Rockets with 27 points, complementing them with 13 assists, three rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Christian Wood posted a 24-point, 19-rebound double-double that also included two assists. Kelly Olynyk compiled 23 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and four steals.

The Clippers remain on the road and tangle with the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night, while the Rockets visit the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night.