Rockets Sail Past Clippers, 111-103, for Third Straight Win
Hustle Kings. Benched Beard. Seconds.
Despite trailing by 11 points early in this contest, the Rockets managed to secure a half-time lead, and then fended off the Clippers for a 111-103 victory on Wednesday night. Jalen Green led Houston with 21 points. Alperen Sengun registered another double-double on the season with 13 points and 11 boards. Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks chipped in 15 points apiece. But the real difference makers in this game came in the form of the Terror Twins: Amen Thompson and Tari Eason.
Houston’s ferocious bench duo proved to be a force once again in tandem on the court. Thompson finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Eason contributed 18 points and 10 boards. They also led the way as the Rockets dominated the hustle stats in this contest. Houston out-rebounded L.A., and won the steals and blocks battle. Thanks to the Terror Twins, the Rockets also outscored the Clips 19-6 on second-chance points. Jabari Smith Jr. struggles continued on Wednesday night. Bari finished with only 5 points on 1-for-6 shooting. Hopefully, the third year forward can snap out of his slump in the rematch this coming Friday night. The Rockets need the Jabari who improved throughout last year to finally show up this season.
In an odd sequence, James Harden and most of the Clippers starters were benched in the fourth quarter. Ironically, L.A.’s third stringers fueled a comeback attempt, cutting Houston’s 19-point lead down to only 4 points in the final minutes. The Rockets managed to survive, but don’t expect to see L.A.’s coach Tyronn Lue waive the white flag in the upcoming rematch between these squads on Friday night.
These same two teams will meet again at Toyota Center on Friday night. However, that match will be under slightly different circumstances. It’s the first NBA Cup game for Houston and L.A. The Rockets got close to reaching the knockout round last season, and ironically were also in the group with the Clips last year. Houston will try and beat Los Angeles for the second straight time. The Rockets need to win the second-chance points and transition battle once again if they want to beat these Clips twice in a row. Expect L.A. to come out hungry for revenge. Houston should be prepared to be in a close contest until the final buzzer sounds, as both teams kick off their NBA Cup back here at Toyota Center on Friday night.