Paul George’s go-ahead jumper lifts Clippers over Rockets and snaps losing streak

Tyronne Lue eased to his seat, plopped down to do his pregame news conference before Monday night’s game against the Houston Rockets and smiled. Before taking any questions, the Clippers coach offered this:

“Starters tonight — Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, Paul George, Marcus Morris [Sr.] and [Ivica] Zubac,” Lue said.

There was a quick pause, allowing Lue to answer the question of why he made the change before it was even asked.

“Because I wanted to,” Lue said, laughing.

Why?

“I just wanted to do something a little different,” Lue said.

It worked out for Lue and the Clippers because Paul George wouldn’t have it any other way, his fingerprints all over their 95-93 win over the Rockets.

His 35 points, nine rebounds and eight assists told just part of the story.

George came up clutch when the Clippers needed him the most, drilling a three-pointer to tie the score 93-93 with 39.4 seconds left, stealing the ball from Eric Gordon with 29.3 seconds left and then drilling a 15-foot jumper with 6.2 seconds left for the final score.

But the game wasn’t over until Gordon missed a driving layup with Nic Batum playing tough defense on the Rockets guard.

Lue was reminded of his postgame comments after Sunday’s loss in which he said if things didn’t change, he might consider doing something different.

So, Lue was asked, did he accelerate this change by starting Kennard for the first time this season in place of Norman Powell, who had started five of the Clippers first six games?

“Yessir,” Lue responded.

A four-game losing streak, perhaps, played a part in Lue’s decision. Or maybe it was poor execution, or just poor play by his group.

Either way, Lue said the Clippers needed a spark.