Rockets Return Home After Road Stretch, Meet Clippers for Third Time This Season
Homecoming. Pause George. Ball Security.
The Houston Rockets return home to Toyota Center for what seems like the first time in a month tonight. The squad endured a rough, road-heavy start to the season, but now looks to turn things around with a win as they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night. These two foes have already met twice this season, with the Clips winning both games. In fact the last time Houston played a game at Toyota Center, it was against these same Clippers, in an ugly loss. The Rockets will try and make the third time the charm as they play the Clips for the final time at Toyota Center this season to begin a home-heavy stretch. Five of Houston’s next six games are at home. The Clippers are coming off a 15-point loss to the Brooklyn Nets, but L.A. has won five of their last seven games overall, including two victories over the Rockets. Beginning tonight, Houston has a great chance to improve their record and put some more wins on the board, as they try and climb out of the hole they dug themselves that is the NBA’s worst record.
The main reason the Rockets are 0-2 against the Clippers this season is Paul George. L.A.’s superstar hit the go-ahead shot in the first meeting between these squads, and led them in scoring both times. If Houston wants any chance to get their third win of the season, they need to contain Paul George. The Rockets need to find a way to ensure PG13 doesn’t explode for a 30 or 40-point night. Houston fans have seen enough of Paul George already this season, it’s time to witness a little “Pause George.” It’s not impossible for these Rockets, the Goon Squad (KJ Martin, Usman Garuba, and Tari Eason) has been reliably efficient in limited minutes recently, but they’ll need help from teammates if they want to stop one of the best players the league has to offer tonight. Houston will see ex-Rocket John Wall for the first time on court against his former team. Wall isn’t putting up the All-Star numbers he displayed earlier in his career but he’s quietly having an efficient season off the bench for the Clips. The Rockets also needs to focus on Marcus Morris Sr., who seem to score over 20 points every time he faces Houston. If Stephen Silas can architect the right rotations, the Rockets have a decent chance to upset the Clippers, and grab their third win of the season tonight.
As was the case last season, Houston’s achilles’ heal this year has been turning the ball over. The Rockets almost always turn the ball over more than their opponent, and these often lead to easy, almost seemingly free points, for the other team. Houston has to take better care of the basketball, or they could be in for another long night against a pesky Clippers team. L.A. will feast on turnovers if the Rockets give away costly points in transition, which has been Houston’s biggest weakness to start the season. Maybe a return home the friendly confines of Toyota Center and Rocket fans will allow Houston to play at a more efficient pace… which might be all they need to earn their first win over these Clippers.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Los Angeles Clippers (7-6): Black
Houston Rockets (2-11): Red
Tip-Off: 7:00 PM CT
TV: AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass