Thursday on First Take, Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman talk about the Rockets' big win over the Clippers on Wednesday night.
Max still wants to see more from James Harden in the playoffs, but Stephen A. thinks the Rockets are the biggest threat to the Lakers and Clippers.
Check out the video above and see who you agree with most.
ALWAYS BE CLOSING
With no game on Monday, the Astros are rested and back in action Tuesday night at Minute Maid against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Luis Garcia (13-8, 3.90 ERA) will make the start for Houston, with Zach Davies (2-4, 4.03 ERA) pitching for the D-Backs. Lance McCullers was originally scheduled to pitch, but was scratched due to an "illness."
McCullers has been scratched with an “illness,” according to the Astros.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) September 27, 2022
Magic number: 2
The Astros currently sit atop the AL sporting a 101-53 record, 6.5 games ahead of the 94-59 New York Yankees. So the Astros could clinch the AL on Tuesday with a win over the Diamondbacks, and a Yankees loss. The Yankees face the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night. The Yankees are 1.5 run underdogs according to online betting sites.
The Astros can also clinch by winning their next two games, regardless of what happens with the Yankees. Both the Yankees and the Astros are playing well currently, as both clubs have won 7 of their last 10 games.
With the Yankees game starting about an hour before the Astros take on the Diamondbacks, the Astros may know the results of Yankees-Blue Jays while they're trying to finish off the D-Backs. So be sure to watch tonight's Astros game because we could see some fun celebrations if the Astros manage to win and the Yankees fall to Toronto.
