Report: NBA investigating Rockets-Clippers postgame fracas

The instigator reportedly was Houston's Trevor Ariza, with teammates Chris
Paul and James Harden trying to calm him, according to ESPN's Adrian
Wojnarowski.

Executives, coaches, players and security personnel talked with NBA officials
Tuesday, and the investigation was to continue Wednesday, Wojnarowski
reported.

With the Clippers celebrating a win over former teammate Paul and the Rockets,
the mood changed swiftly in the locker room when Ariza, Harden, Paul and
Gerald Green entered through a back corridor at Staples Center, apparently
seeking to confront Los Angeles' Austin Rivers and Blake Griffin.

ESPN reported tempers were high and Rockets players were looking for Rivers in
particular after Los Angeles won a fifth consecutive game, 113-102.

"We were where we were supposed to be," Griffin said. "We were in our locker
room. So whatever happens over there, I mean, we can't control what anybody
else does. We control what we did. Everybody was in our seats. That's it. You
should ask them."

The game went from chippy to full contact with fuses lit on both sides. Paul,
who spent six seasons with the Clippers and was honored with a video montage
before the game, lost his cool in the fourth quarter and the Rockets indicated
Rivers, who did not play, was the key instigator. According to Houston players
interviewed by ESPN, Rivers was shouting expletives and challenging the
Rockets while wearing a suit on the bench.

Paul would not share what he shouted at the Clippers' bench, but it didn't
appear to be pleasant.

"I don't know. You probably got it. With all the cameras in there, you can
probably tell me what I said," Paul said. "Whatever it was, I'm sure my momma
will let me know."

In addition to Rivers, DeAndre Jordan was out for the Clippers. Harden also
did not play as he recovers from a hamstring injury sustained Dec. 31.

With less than four minutes remaining in the game, Griffin scored and was
fouled by Paul.

Houston coach Mike D'Antoni went ballistic, as did Paul, and both received
technical fouls.

Two minutes later, Griffin sparked another fracas when he spiked the ball with
full force off the back of Rockets guard Eric Gordon to save it from going out
of bounds.

The play led to technical fouls on Ariza and Rivers, both of whom were
ejected.

--Field Level Media