Tinseltown Tears: Rockets Fight Comes Up Short Against Clippers, 126-109
Shorthanded-Battle. Stability Issues. Evolving Heart.
The Rockets lost against a short-handed Clippers team, 126-109, on Friday night. Despite big without John Wall, then Rockets held a ten point lead after the first period. But a disastrous second quarter, in which the Rockets were outscored 41-10, pretty much put the game out of Houston’s hands. John Wall was again sorely missed against a Clippers team that was also short-handed. L.A. was without Paul George, Patrick Beverley, Rajon Rondo, and other herb components for their deep roster. Nonetheless, the Clippers depth was on full-display, as the Clips rolled to an easy victory over the Rockets on Friday night. Even though Houston cut the lead back to 6 at one point in the fourth quarter, you never got the sense the Rockets were going to overcome the hump, and take down L.A. Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points to lead the Clippers, and Reggie Jackson was clutch, scoring 26b points snd dishing 7 dimes.
With Wall’s absence, Kevin Porter Jr. took over the point guard duties. KPJ finished with 14 points, 13 dimes, and 6 boards, as his promising game continues to evolve with each passing result. Still,. without Wall, the Rockets are going to struggle to win any games for the rest of the season. They have the toughest remaining schedule in the league. And with Wall set to miss at least one game in each of the remaining back-to-back sets, Houston has to find a way to achieve victory with Wall sidelined.
Regardless of all the losing, this Rockets team is starting to play with more heart. And that starts with Kelly Olynyk. Like Jae’Sean Tate, Olynyk is an absolute perfect fit to this Houston team and compliments Christian Wood very well in the post. Wood added 23 points in then Rockets loss in L.A. KPJ certainly is adjusting to playing with Wall once night, and the starting the next evening. Still, at only 20 years old, KPJ has then potential to be superstar no one saw coming in this league. Up next, the Rockets catch a short-breather, and they’re back in action Saturday night for Part 2 of this weekend back-to-back. Houston heads to the Bay Area to take on their former blood rivals… the Golden State Warriors. And while then rivalry may not be as it once was…there’s no short-handed teams tonight in this bout. It’s time the Rockets deal the Warriors a loss, and hamper their playoff hopes. After all, Golden State was Houston’s Evil Empire for so many years. It’s time to re-pay the favor. Even if it’s only for a game. The Warriors are fighting for their playoff lives right now in the brutal West. Bad news for Golden State is… the Rockets aren’t backing down on Saturday night.