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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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.