The LA Clippers have not been two games over .500 since they beat the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 22 (they would go on to lose two in a row thereafter). Tonight, the Clippers (now 32-31) have a change to hit that mark once again, as well as sweep the season series against the Rockets. Check out our preview for this second LA-HOU matchup in three days.
Clippers vs. Rockets Game Information
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
When: 5 PM PT
How to Tune in: Bally Sports SoCal, AM 570 KLAC, KTMZ
Projected Starting Lineups
LA Clippers: Reggie Jackson – Terance Mann – Nicolas Batum – Marcus Morris, Sr. – Ivica Zubac
Houston Rockets: Dennis Schröder – Jalen Green – Eric Gordon – Jae’Sean Tate – Christian Wood
Injury Report
LA Clippers: OUT: Paul George (Right Elbow), Kawhi Leonard (Right Knee), Norman Powell (Left Foot), Jason Preston (Right Foot), Jay Scrubb (Right Foot)
Houston Rockets: OUT: Usman Garuba (Left Wrist), Daishen Nix (G League), Kevin Porter Jr. (Left Ankle), Trevelin Queen (G League)
The Big Picture
The Clippers should go into this game with some confidence: although the Rockets had a huge shooting night (especially from three), the Clippers were able to hang tough and pull out a clutch win. Really, only Ivica Zubac, Isiah Hartenstein, and (to a limited extend) Reggie Jackson had “good” games. Kennard, Morris, Batum, and Covington had poor shooting nights (Reggie did as well, but he hit a few big shots, so giving him a small pass here).
Nonetheless, the Clippers were able to grit out a win at the free throw line, through team rebounding, and making just enough stops on the defensive end in the fourth quarter.
Assuming one of Kennard, Morris, etc. has an average or better shooting night, the Clippers should be able to handle the Rockets more comfortably and complete the season sweep.
The Antagonist
But beating a team three times in a row is tough, regardless of the talent discrepancy. And beating a team, on the road, after playing them just two days before is even tougher. Just as in the playoffs, teams start to get used to each other and can find ways to exploit matchups or disrupt favored plays.
Moreover, the Rockets, although they hit 17 threes on Sunday, did not shoot well overall (just 38%). Jalen Green was 4/18 from the field; Eric Gordon was 2/9; and Dennis Schröder was 4/15. Given that they only lost by one, any one of those guys having a better night could have preserved their double-digit lead. Finally, the Rockets are a young team with a coach who is early in his head coaching career—pride will push them to compete and try to avoid letting the Clippers sweep them.
Clippers vs. Rockets Game Notes
- Schedule Watching: The sports books have the Clippers as a 6.5 point favorite for tomorrow’s match up. Unless the Clippers get Powell, George, and/or Leonard back, the Clippers likely will not be this big of a favorite for the rest of the year. The Rockets are the second-worst team in the league, by record, and are not exactly trying to win longterm. A win tonight will help making the closing stretch more manageable.
- Crazy Idea: As others on the site have noted, the Clippers need to find a way to get Reggie more rest and delegate some of the ball handling when he’s not on the floor. Mann has done a nice job, and Coffey has done well handling the ball too. Moreover, Robert Covington need more minutes too, which cuts into Batum’s minutes. Which brings me to my crazy (?) idea: Should the Clippers try to let Batum do more ball handling? He’s on of the better passers in transition and around the arc, and he’s generally a smart player. I think he could do it. What do y’all think?
That does it for our preview of this third and final game against the Rockets this season. Let’s see if the Clippers can pull off the sweep!