Rockets Face Clippers in Tourney Match as Road Trip Begins
On the Road Again. Sinking Ship. Tourney Time, Part 2.
After enjoying the rare luxury of four days off during the NBA season, the red-hot Rockets hit the road to begin a stretch of three road games in four nights. On Friday night, Houston will face a few familiar foes as they battle former Rockets James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and the Los Angeles Clippers. Harden and Westbrook are new members to the Clippers this season, with Harden joining the team five games ago in a mid-season trade with the 76ers. The Clips are winless since Harden joined their club. After starting 3-1, Los Angeles is now 0-6 since, and 0-5 since acquiring Harden a few weeks ago. After battling the Clippers tonight, the Rockets have their first back-to-back on Sunday and Monday when they face-off against the Lakers and Warriors, both for the second time this season. For now, Houston will try and keep the former face of their franchise (Harden) winless with his current team. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are both expected to play, as they’ve played more games since the NBA issued their new rule prohibiting stars from “resting.” Despite the Clips record, they have plenty of weapons, and came up just short in Denver against the champs. If Houston isn’t prepared, they could be in a for a long start to this road trip.
These squads are currently heading in opposite directions. The Rockets have won six consecutive games, whilst the Clippers have lost six straight games. Houston will aim to seep their winning streak alive on the road, as the squad searches for their first road win of the season. Of the Rockets’ nine games, seven have been in Houston so far, and the team is winless on the road in two tries. However, the Rockets have shown serious improvement since the first two games of the season. Houston is undefeated in the month on November, and will look to continue that trend as they battle the Clippers tonight. Russell Westbrook recently announced his decision to come off the bench to try and solve the Clip’s slumping struggles. His move to the second unit could be the medicine L.A. needs to get their season back on track. Regardless, the Rockets will try and deal Harden another loss, as this is part of the core he left to rot as rookies when he departed Houston nearly three years ago. These young rooks are much improved now, and seeking revenge on an aging Harden, who’s playing nowhere near the peak level he reached in Houston.
Tonight’s matchup marks the second In-Season Tournament Game for the Rockets this season, and their first on the road. Houston is 1-0 in Group B play, with their victory over the Pelicans last Friday night. Group B is arguably the toughest of all the In-Season Tournament Groups. Besides the Clippers, the Pelicans, Mavericks, and defending champion Nuggets are in Houston’s group. Los Angeles is 0-2 in Group B play, with losses to the Mavericks and most recently, the Nuggets. The Rockets can essentially knock the Clippers out of contention with a victory in their group-play matchup tonight. Houston is red-hot, but all of their wins have come at home. The squad will aim to secure their first road win of the season, and keep the Clippers reeling with a victory tonight. The Rockets may be a little rusty after enduring their longest break of the season so far, but expect the squad to wake up by the second period. Hopefully the squad can contain a fired-up Westbrook and desperate Clippers team seeking their first win in seven tries. Ime Udoka’s been the Coach of the Year so far during this early season, and he won’t allow his young squad to have a letdown. Like the majority of the league’s In-Season Tournament Games, expect a close and competitive matchup tonight as the Rockets seek their seventh straight win.
Crypto.com Arena: Los Angeles, California
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (6-3): White
Los Angeles Clippers (3-7): “City Edition” Blue
Tip-Off: 9:30 PM CT
TV: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass