Rockets' Dwight Howard ejected after picking up second technical foul

Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard was ejected in the fourth quarter of Sunday's playoff loss to the Los Angeles Clippers after picking up his second technical foul.

Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard was ejected in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 128–95 Game 4 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers after picking up his second technical foul. 

Howard played only 18 minutes due to foul trouble. He drew a technical foul midway through the first quarter for making contact with a referee. He picked up his third personal foul with just over eight minutes remaining in the second quarter, was taken out of the game and sat out the rest of the quarter.

Howard's fifth personal came when he shoved Clippers forward Blake Griffin to the ground late in the third quarter. Clippers point guard Chris Paulreportedly asked the refs not to give Howard a flagrant foul, saying "We want him to play."

• MORE NBA: Schedule | Grades | Awards | Playoff coverage | Finals picks

Howard picked up his sixth personal foul on another Griffin drive, bumping him as he went up for a layup. Howard then threw the ball at a referee's feet and was sent to the locker room with his second technical. 

[youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uls23CxDoR4]

• MORE NBA: Celebrating NBA moms | Preview | Highlights | Roundtable

The Clippers' win gives them a 3-1 lead in the series, with Game 5 Tuesday in Houston.

- Dan Gartland

[​video via ProBasketballTalk​]