Rockets vs. Clippers: Game 6 Score and Twitter Reaction from 2015 NBA Playoffs

The Houston Rockets needed to launch their level of play into a new stratosphere to stave off playoff elimination against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday at the Staples Center in Game 6.

Houston managed to do that, staging a rally for the ages with a dominant, 40-15 fourth quarter to stay alive in the Western Conference Semifinals with a 119-107 victory, knotting the series at three games each.

ESPN's Arash Markazi highlighted just how much the tables turned on the star-crossed Clippers:

The following quote from ESPN's Mike Tirico, as relayed by NBA History, wasn't hyperbolic at all:

Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle provided context for Houston's comeback:

The NBA on ESPN referenced the Clippers' cold shooting in the final 12 minutes:

After falling behind 89-70 in the third, the Rockets wouldn't be denied, stringing together a 32-13 run into the fourth quarter to knot the score at 102 with 4:21 remaining. Josh Smith scored eight straight points to help cut the deficit to three.

Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports observed how extraordinarily hot Smith got:

Following Smith's spark, Corey Brewer drained a three out of a Houston timeout to give his side its first lead of the second half.

ESPN Stats & Info had more on Brewer's impact and just how much bad history the Rockets overcame in similarly adverse playoff situations:

Brewer and Smith finished with 19 points apiece. Most impressive about the amazing comeback was that it came without MVP runner-up James Harden. Struggles persisted for him all evening following his first playoff career triple-double. 

Harden made just five of 20 shots from the field, though he sank all 11 free-throw attempts and scored 23 points. After he carried the Rockets for much of the regular season, it was his teammates' turn to pick up the slack. Harden sat out the fourth quarter until the last minute.

One key decision came much earlier when Houston coach Kevin McHale opted to leave center Dwight Howard in once he'd picked up two quick fouls in the first quarter.

James Starks of KPRC-TV highlighted the significance of Howard's monster numbers of 20 points and 21 boards:

So between the moves to keep Howard in early and sit Harden late, McHale saved the Rockets' season in extremely bold style. The coach spoke afterward about the late personnel decisions, per Mike Meltser of SportsRadio 610:

Clippers All-Star forward Blake Griffin set the tone at the beginning, winding up with 28 points and eight rebounds.

Griffin was instrumental to the big third quarter L.A. had after it failed to pull away following a great start and holding a slim 64-62 halftime lead. Of all the shots Griffin made Thursday, the following 180-degree spin and finish will be the most talked about:

A certain Los Angeles basketball legend couldn't help but compliment Griffin on how well he's progressed:

The finishes at the rim have always been part of Griffin's game thanks to his transcendent athleticism. What has made him special of late is how well-rounded he's become.

That was also evident in this highlight-reel block of Brewer on a third-quarter fast break:

Banged-up superstar point guard Chris Paul came to play for L.A. as well, putting forth a gutsy performance through pain, with a history of falling short in the postseason weighing on him.

CBSSports.com's Matt Moore reacted to Paul's proficient play, which featured 31 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists to just two turnovers:

"

Chris Paul’s got that axe over the “never made the WCF” narrative’s head.

— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) May 15, 2015"

The ax referred to above never dropped. Somehow, everything changed just when it appeared L.A. would certainly punch its first ticket to the conference finals in franchise history.

The Clippers had won their previous two home contests by 25 and 33 points, respectively, and it looked as though something similar would happen in Game 6. Credit Houston for getting off the mat, bucking that recent history and forcing a Game 7 back in the Toyota Center on Sunday.

This is a disheartening defeat for L.A. Griffin and Paul were so close to expunging those playoff shortcomings of the past until what was quite frankly a stunning collapse. Now those questions will follow them into an elimination game with an unimaginable amount of pressure.

If Harden can regain his form in Game 7, one has to believe the Rockets will have the inside track to advance to the conference finals.