Coach Jeff Van Gundy wasn't as concerned with Cassell as he was the Rockets failure to get back on transition.

"There's a lot that goes into winning and a lot that goes into losing," Van Gundy said. "Our second-half defense just led to another close loss.

"And their 21 points on transition in the first half, that was preventable."

The Clippers outscored Houston 12-2 in a span of 4:15 in the fourth quarter to take an 89-80 lead with 5:16 to play. Cassell's 3-pointer made it 94-85 with 1:28 to play.

Cassell scored seven points in the first five minutes of the third quarter to help the Clippers to their biggest lead at 60-51.

Houston answered with an 11-0 run. But Maggette hit two straight 3s in an 8-0 Clippers run to give them a 68-62 lead with 2:59 left in the period. Maggette had eight in the quarter as Los Angeles took a 73-70 lead into the fourth quarter.

Maggette had eight points in the first 7:30 of the second period as the Clippers took a 39-33 lead. Luther Head's six points the final four minutes helped pull Houston to within 46-45 at the half.

The Rockets led by as many as eight in the first quarter when Yao had eight points and five rebounds. Cassell had 12 that period and the Clippers closed it to 28-24 at the end.