ROCKETS VS. CLIPPERS
Here are the key dynamics at play in Rockets clash with Clippers
Nov 13, 2024, 1:09 pm
Jalen Green and the Rockets host the Clippers Wednesday night. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.
The Houston Rockets (7-4) will look to extend their three-game home winning streak as they face the Los Angeles Clippers (6-5) in a Western Conference showdown on Wednesday. Coming off a 41-41 season, the Rockets are making early strides with a solid 7-4 start, positioning them fifth in the conference.
Last season, Houston’s defense allowed opponents 113.2 points per game on 46.3% shooting, and this season, they’re hoping to tighten up on that end to continue their momentum.
The Clippers, on the other hand, finished last season with a 51-31 record and currently sit at ninth in the conference with a 6-5 record.
Known for their offense, they averaged 115.6 points per game last season, shooting a sharp 48.9% from the field and 38.1% from three-point range. Los Angeles will be without Kawhi Leonard, who’s out due to a knee injury, potentially limiting their scoring power.
The Rockets will also face a few injury concerns with Jock Landale and Fred VanVleet listed as day-to-day. The Clippers, along with missing Leonard, may also be without Mo Bamba and P.J. Tucker, who are both day-to-day.
The Rockets aim to continue their solid home form, while the Clippers will look to make adjustments to secure a key conference win on the road.
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The Houston Rockets have been one of the NBA’s more surprising teams this season. After their past three games, they shouldn’t shock anyone.
The Rockets beat the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers twice last week before traveling to Boston and pulling out a 114-112 victory over the defending champion Celtics on Monday night.
“We’re over halfway through now and our record is what it is, so it’s not just a fluke or anything,” Houston coach Ime Udoka said. “People watch film and see the physicality and the way that we play, it’s a little different than the rest of the league, maybe that catches people off guard initially, but I wouldn’t say we’re sneaking up on anybody anymore at this point in the season.”
Houston (31-14), which is second in the Western Conference, posted its ninth win in 11 games on Monday. Its record is a few percentage points better than that of the defending NBA champion Celtics (32-15).
The Cavs and Celtics were a combined 104-28 (.788) entering their games against Houston. The Rockets became the first team in NBA history to win three straight games against teams with that high of a winning percentage, with a minimum of 40 games for each opponent, according to OptaSTATS.
Amen Thompson hit a floater over Jaylen Brown with 0.7 seconds left to give the Rockets the victory at Boston.
“We feel like we can beat anybody, and this road trip is really proving that,” Thompson said.
Led by a balanced lineup featuring Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, veteran Fred VanVleet, Thompson and Dillon Brooks, the Rockets have been rolling since their 23-point home loss to the Celtics on Jan. 3.
“We don’t like to lose at home, especially to the Celtics,” Thompson said. “We just come in here every day and we just try to win.”
Teams around the league are taking notice of what Houston is doing. After the Cavaliers finished off their 19-point home win over Detroit on Monday, they spent time in the postgame locker room watching the Rockets’ victory.
“We’re just playing hard, playing together,” said Brooks, who finished with a 36 points against Boston, including a 10-of-15 performance from 3-point range.
“We have trust in one another,” Brooks said.
The Rockets are plenty confident, but they understand big wins mean nothing if they can't follow them up. They’ll get that chance Tuesday night when they play at Atlanta.
“Playing some of the top teams obviously gives us some confidence,” Udoka said.