Round 4: Rockets Duel with Clippers in Final Meeting of Regular Season
Preview of the Future. First Look. Best Against the West.
“No one ever made a difference by being like everybody else,” P.T. Barnum says in The Greatest Showman. And tonight in Houston, some of the greatest showmen in the NBA face-off on the court. The Rockets host their heated rivals, the Clippers, for the final meeting this regular season. And there’s a very realistic these clubs could meet in the playoffs. As of now, Houston is the fourth seed, but only two games behind the Clippers for second, and one game behind Denver for third. The way all these teams have been playing suggests the Clippers and Rockets will finish in the second and third spots, with Denver sliding to fourth. Although, anything is possible (a Clips slide to fourth would be the best-case scenario for Houston, ensuring they don’t have to play both L.A. teams in the playoffs). However, I don’t see the Clippers falling below third, and I don’t see the Rockets catching the Lakers for first. This game essentially might be the deciding factor in who finishes second. Houston leads the season series 2-1, and with a win tonight, the Rockets would own the tiebreaker. A victory on Thursday night also pushes them within a game of both the Clippers and Nuggets in the standings. Houston will likely be ready to bounce back after their poor showing in New York, with the Clippers prepared to give the Rockets’ small-ball style it’s biggest test.
Unlike the first three matchups between these heated rivals, tonight marks the first time the Rockets are facing completely healthy Clippers team. No one’s on the injury report for the Clips. No load management tonight. And Los Angeles can play small-ball better than any opponent Houston will face in the modern NBA. The Clippers are already built towards that style, with lengthy wings, and a ferocious Montrezl Harrell acting as their small center at times. They’re shorter but makeup for their lack of size with strength, like the Rockets. And tonight, the Clips will get their first-look at the Houston’s small-ball revolution.
Houston and the Clippers are tied for having the best record against playoff teams in the Western Conference. Expect one of the best games of the entire NBA season to play out in Houston tonight. Russell Westbrook rarely has two bad games in a row, and James Harden has torched the Clippers this season (37 PPG on 50% shooting). If the Rockets star-backcourt can bounce back from a sub-par showing in the Big Apple, Houston should be able to hold off the Clippers. However, the Clips are rolling, winners of five straight. And these teams hate each other more than any two squads in the NBA. Tonight, one thing’s set in stone… this game won’t be like anything else you’ll see all season.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Los Angeles Clippers (42-19): Black
Houston Rockets (39-21): Red
TV: 7 PM CT – TNT