Round 3: Houston Heads West as Rockets, Clippers Face-Off in West’s Wildest Rivalry
Midterm. Departing West. Middle Ground.
“Are you not entertained?” Russell Crowe asks the blood-thirsty crowd in Ridely Scott’s Gladiator. Tonight’s shaping up to be one of the most entertaining nights of this NBA regular season. Houston travels to Los Angeles to take on the Clippers for Act 3 in this season’s testiest rivalry. This highly anticipated matchup is the nightcap in a TNT doubleheader that begins with the NBA’s Conference leaders, the Lakers and Bucks, squaring off in Milwaukee. Thursday night’s battle in Los Angeles begins the first of four games on Houston’s current West-Coast road-trip. The Clippers are, by far, the most difficult test the Rockets will face on this stretch away from home. Tonight’s game is the third matchup this season in the heated rivalry. Houston won the first game, while the Clips took the second. Since they last saw each other, the Clippers have won ten straight games in L.A., and are an NBA-best 14-1 at home. Meanwhile, the Rockets have seen comebacks and collapses mired with mediocrity. A win tonight would boost Houston’s confidence and get the squad back on track. After Thursday’s game, we’ll be officially a third of the way through the season.
For the Rockets, tonight’s battle in L.A. serves as a midterm of sorts, and a measuring stick as to how far the team has come since opening night. Houston hasn’t played a winning team since they beat the Raptors in Toronto, back on December 5th. Since that victory, the Rockets have played down to their average competition, and been merely average over a stretch they shouldn’t have taken for granted. Houston now finds themselves at 18-9, in the fifth spot out West, but only a game in the loss column behind the Clippers. Tonight’s matchup is huge for many reasons. The Rockets can inch closer to the top with a victory, or get pushed farther towards mediocrity with a loss. Whoever wins tonight’s battle at Staples will grab the edge in the season series. Houston will still play the Clips once more, in March, but a win tonight ensures the Rockets will at worst split the season series with Los Angeles.
Houston has to protect the glass tonight if they want a chance of escaping L.A. with a victory. The Clippers are one the best rebounding teams in the league. Houston needs to box out and avoid giving up a lethal dose of second-chance points to the Clips, which could prove to be too much to overcome. Russell Westbrook tries to continue his roll of efficiency, as James Harden looks to regain his shooting rhythm in his hometown, a place where the Beard usually plays well. Houston needs Ben McLemore and other shooters to knock down open shots. The Clippers aren’t going to let Harden beat them, as they showed in Round 2 between these teams. If the Rockets can connect from deep on open shots, and force Los Angeles into a turnover frenzy, this match tilts towards Houston’s favor. But, that’s much easier said than done. Tonight’s matchup between these two heavyweights likely won’t be easy on either side. If the Rockets have shown anything through the first third of the season, they’ve shown the ability to play with the best when the spotlight’s the biggest. It’s taking care of everyone else that’s plagued Houston. Hopefully, the Beard finds his shooting rhythm back in his hometown. As we begin the middle portion of the NBA season, the Rockets are striving to stay away from middle ground in the standings, and prove they belong in the discussion with elites. A Houston victory in Los Angeles tonight would get people’s attention, but more importantly, give the squad confidence. If you can expect anything, expect excitement tonight at Staples Center. Two heated rivals, not far apart in the standings. The Clippers have many ex-Rockets. Both teams have closers in the fourth quarter (Harden and Leonard). Each squad has a member of the Rivers family. And each has real hate for the other. There’s no love lost between these teams. The Clippers have never won a title. And in Houston, there’s supposedly an era at stake if the Rockets can’t finally win this season. This is a huge game, for both teams, but especially Houston. While the Clippers are considered contenders by everyone despite their record, the Rockets have been written off by many in the contender conversation. Houston aims to change that story on Thursday. Another page in this rivalry gets written tonight… are you not entertained?
Staples Center: Los Angeles, California
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (18-9): Red
Los Angeles Clippers (21-8): White
TV: 9:30 PM CT – TNT, AT&T Sportsnet SW