Preview: Clippers vs. Rockets Game 5

The Clippers have a chance to advance to the Western Conference finals for the first time in their 45-year franchise history when they play the Houston Rockets on Tuesday evening at Houston’s Toyota Center in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series.

After winning Game 4 on Sunday, 128-95, the Clippers took a 3-1 lead over the Rockets in the best-of-seven series.

“Obviously I love where we’re at, but the series is not over,” Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said Sunday. “We’ve got to keep playing. We’ve got to finish. They’re not going to just get out of our way.”

In Sunday’s game, the Clippers outscored the Rockets in the second half, 68-41, and led by as many as 37 points in the fourth quarter. It was their second consecutive blowout win over the Rockets, after having won Game 3 on Friday, 124-99.

The Clippers are just the ninth team in NBA history to win two straight playoff games by 25 points or more.

In Game 4, the Rockets sent the Clippers to the free-throw line 63 times -- and the Clippers made 37 of those shots. DeAndre Jordan alone shot more free throws (34) than the entire Rockets team (30).

Rockets center Dwight Howard got in early foul trouble in Game 4, and fouled out with 9 minutes, 52 seconds left. Howard picked up two fouls in the first four minutes, and played in only 18 minutes of the game, finishing with just seven points and six rebounds.

The Rockets were led by James Harden, who had 21 points on five-for-12 shooting, eight rebounds and six assists. Trevor Ariza finished with 18 points and eight rebounds.

Jordan led the Clippers with 26 points on six-for-seven shooting from the field and 17 rebounds. Blake Griffin had 21 points on seven-for-11 shooting, eight rebounds and three assists.