Rockets Face Red-Hot Clippers in Potential First Round Preview
Final Four. First Round Matchup? Homecoming.
It was a legendary team-performance for Houston last night in Sacramento. The Rockets tied their previous NBA-record with 26 threes, and also had 30 assists, as they torched the Kings for 130 points. Tonight, it won’t be that easy. Houston travels to Los Angeles to take on the Clippers. It’s the second night of a back-to-back for the Rockets, while the Clips have had two days of rest. And the Clippers are red-hot. Winners of 13 of their last 15 games, the Clips have been one of the best teams in the NBA since March. The Clippers haven’t lost at home since January, when Tobias Harris was still a member of the team. The Rockets and Clippers have been the West’s two hottest teams over the last 15 games. Houston is 17-3 over their last 20 games. Tonight’s matchup is a pivotal one in the Western Conference playoff standings as both teams are fighting for positioning.
This is the first of the final four regular season games for the Rockets. Houston only trails Denver by two games in the loss column for the second seed, but the Blazers are right on the Rockets’ tail for the third seed. The Nuggets have a brutal schedule, and Houston has a legitimate chance to get the second spot in the West. If the Rockets win their final four games, they should at least solidify the third slot. Portland holds the tiebreaker over Houston, but the Blazers play the Nuggets twice more this season. They’re bound to lose at least one of those games without their Center, Jusuf Nurkic.
If the playoffs started today, the Rockets and Clippers would face off in the first found. It’s certainly a possibility that these two squads will see each other again after tonight. Houston would like to see a different team, although, there is no “ideal” matchup in the relentless Western Conference. Every team going to the playoffs out West is a threat, in some form or other, and can catch the favorites sleeping if they’re not sharp.
The Clippers always seem to play well against the Rockets. Los Angeles is the only team in the West that Houston has yet to beat. The Rockets are 0-2 against the Clips this season. Los Angeles has three former Rockets from the Chris Paul deal, and the ex-Rockets always seem to play their best basketball against their former team. The beloved Patrick Beverly, who’s still missed in Houston, is as gritty as ever, and will be his usual pesky self tonight against the Rockets. Houston has an even bigger problem on their hands, in Montrezl Harrell. The former Rocket has torched Houston ever since he was traded. Harrell is an absolute beast and has feasted on the Rockets lack of strength inside this season. Lou Williams, the best bench player in the NBA for a few years, has torched the Rockets since he was dealt. Sweet Lou can be a nightmare for defenses on the perimeter. Houston needs to make sure they don’t let Williams get a rhythm going offensively, or it could be a long night in Los Angeles.
However, both of the Clippers’ wins over the Rockets came back in October. Houston was a completely different team back then. They didn’t have Danuel House, Austin Rivers, and… The Manimal. Kenneth Faried vs. Montrezl Harrell will be the matchup to watch tonight. Both players are gritty, energetic, no-nonsense guys off the bench, who are very effective for their respective squads. The Manimal needs to keep Harrell from getting the crowd in the game, as Trez has been known for vicious dunks and getting the arena revved up. The Rockets also need to try and somehow contain Lou Williams, the best bench player in the NBA. Williams is one of the most talented offensive players in the league, and poses nightmare situations for opponents, night-in, and night-out.
Luckily for the Rockets, they have James Harden, and his historic season hasn’t slowed down. The Beard returns to Los Angeles tonight. The city, in which he was born and raised. This also marks the first time Harden returns to Los Angeles since the death of his childhood friend, entertainer and activist Nipsey Hussle. Last night, watching Harden walk into Golden 1 Center before the game, you could tell he was playing with a heavy heart. The Beard didn’t let it effect his play. Harden led the way on the court, leading the offensive orchestra that produced 30 assists, in one of the best team wins of the season. But tonight in Los Angeles, it’s personal. Last night, Russell Westbrook had a 20-20-20 game to honor Nipsey Hussle. Westbrook is from L.A., and knew the late Hussle as well. But no one was closer with Nip in the NBA than James Harden. And as the Beard returns to L.A. tonight, with one less familiar face in the stands, expect him to put on a show, and dedicate this game to his late-friend. And this season, a Harden Show always breaks records. In a season full of epic achievements, expect Harden to cement his status as this season’s MVP, with a legendary performance in a win over the Clippers. This one’s for Nip.
Staples Center: Los Angeles, California
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (50-28): Black
Los Angeles Clippers (47-31): White
TV: 9:30 PM CT – NBA TV, ATT Sportsnet SW