Game 7: Houston Rockets At Los Angeles Clippers Preview

The Houston Rockets did it!

They’re finally back at .500 with a 3-3 record and considering how this team started, I was wondering if we were ever going to get back there.

But that’s the first step and now the Rockets will need to start making inroads in the division as well as the Western Conference.

I just don’t want them to play catch up down the stretch when it counts because anything can happen and the Rockets need every possible advantage that they can get.

But I have good feeling that they’ll get there.

Wow! The Rockets looked a bit smoother last night against a banged-up, young Sacramento Kings team.

They weren’t perfect but stepped up when it counted.

But that 18-0 run the Rockets allowed that started toward the end of the third quarter through the early stages of the fourth was almost inexcusable.

But they picked themselves up by their bootstraps and pressed on.

I cannot begin to credit how strong the performances of Clint Capela — 13 points/12 rebounds — and Marcus Thornton (16 points/seven rebounds) including going 4-for-10 behind-the-arc.

These guys have fit in nicely with what the Rockets attempt to do every night and I feel they’ll pay big dividends down the road.

But it’s time to talk about the 2nd game of a back-to-back that they’re playing against the Los Angeles Clippers tonight.

It’s a rematch since the Rockets were able to climb out of 3-1 hole in the West Semis, being only the ninth team in NBA history to do that.

It’s going to be a bloodbath and expect to see a game that’s quite entertaining from top to bottom!

So who’s leading the charge for the Clips?

More from House of Houston

Josh Smith decided to join the Clips in this year’s free agency off season and his role is quite similar that what it was with the Rockets.

I just have to wonder if he would’ve stayed, he’d be getting a lot of playing time because of injuries to the front court. But he had to make the best decision for he and his family and I totally understand that.

But anyway, keep your eye on the match ups of the back court tonight — Lawson/Paul and Redick/Beard — as well as Dwight Howard/Jordan and Blake Griffin/Thornton.

I fully expect to see Clint Capela’s used often to defend the Clips ever-burgeoning front court.

Let’s talk about what the Clips do well.

They have an high-powered offense. The Clippers are 4th in the league in offensive efficiency, scoring a whopping 105.4 points per 100 possessions.

They take care of the basketball. The Clippers are currently 4th in the league in turnover ratio with 11.7 percent of their possessions ending in a turnover.

Injuries:

As far as injuries, Terrence Jones (eyelid laceration). Donatas Motiejunas (back) and Patrick Beverley (concussion) will be OUT tonight.

On the other hand, the Clippers are mostly healthy but Chris Paul has been dealing with a groin injury since earlier this week.

According to the LA Times’ Melissa Rohlin, Paul is listed as probable tonight.

Next: The Rockets Run To Respectability

Three Things to Watch:

The Battle of the Backcourt — Lawson vs. Paul and Beard vs. Redick
D12 vs. Jordan
Griffin vs. Thornton/Capela/Any warm body we have that can defend well

Prediction:

110-106 in a Rockets’ win!

The Rockets take on the Clippers tonight at the STAPLES Center.

Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CST.

The game will be televised on ROOT Sports and broadcast on SportsTalk 790 AM (KBME) & La Ranchera 850 AM (KEYH) in Spanish.

Go Rockets.

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