Rockets close on top priority

HOUSTON - There was no celebrating in Houston's locker room on Thursday night after the Rockets clinched the Southwest Division title.

"It's good, but not this year. We want that No 1 seed and that's the main goal right now," Eric Gordon said.

James Harden scored 24 points, Gordon added 23 and the Rockets outlasted the Los Angeles Clippers for a 101-96 win. The victory, coupled with a loss by the New Orleans Pelicans to the San Antonio Spurs, wrapped up the division.