Game 28: Houston Rockets Vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview
The Houston Rockets took care of business Thursday night by downing the Los Angeles Lakers in their home building while being featured nationally on television.
I had thought something was going to go terribly awry and somehow the Rockets were going to screw it up.
But they maintained their poise and kept control with the foot to the pedal the entire game.
Thank goodness — I just wished that the Rockets could do that for every opponent.
The Rockets will now face the 16-11 Los Angeles Clippers tonight, who have been on tear since starting quite tentatively right out of the gate at the beginning of the season.
Their happenings are quite similar to the Rockets but unfortunately, they have more wins in the column than we do.
The last time we faced the Clips, it was 109-105 gritty win and Kevin McHale was still the coach of this team. A lot has changed now and this will be a true test of J.B. Bickerstaff’s wit as the Rockets face some stiff competition over the next eight games.
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So who’s leading the charge for the Clippers?
Blake Griffin leads the team in scoring (24.0 PPG). DeAndre Jordan is the top board-getter (13.3 RPG) and is the team’s chief shot-blocker (2.40 BPG). Chris Paul, of course, grabs more steals than anybody else (1.80 SPG) and is in charge of doling out the dimes (8.9 APG).
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Let’s talk about what the Clippers do well.
They are the offensive juggernauts. The Clippers are 5th in the league in offensive efficiency, scoring 104.3 points per 100 possessions.
They move around the ball quite well. The Clippers are tied for 6th in the league in assist ratio — along with the Sacramento Kings and Boston Celtics — with 17.5 percent of the their possessions ending with an assist.
They take care of the basketball. The Clippers are 3rd in the league in turnover ratio with only 12.5 percent of their possessions ending in a turnover.
Injuries:
Ty Lawson has been suspended for two games as a result of his pleading and the verdict stemming from his 2014 DUI charges. The Rockets should hum along just fine without him but he is valuable in terms of ensuring that Patrick Beverley gets the rest he needs. He has been terrible for the Rockets to say the least so far this season.
Sam Dekker had back surgery and is expected to miss about a couple more months.
There are no injuries to report for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Sources: Jenny Dial Creech/Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
Three Things to Watch:
- Dwight Howard vs. Jordan
- Patrick Beverley vs. Paul
- Clint Capela vs. Griffin
Prediction:
108-105 in a Rockets’ win!
The Rockets are back at home to take on the Clippers at Toyota Center.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.
The game will be televised on ROOT Sports Southwest and broadcast on SportsTalk 790 AM (KBME) and La Ranchera 850 AM (KEYH) in Spanish.
Go Rockets!