Los Angeles Clippers vs Houston Rockets: Match Preview and Predictions - 13th November 2019
Match details
Fixture: Los Angeles Clippers vs Houston Rockets
Date and time: Wednesday, 13 November 2019, 07:30 PM ET
Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Last game results
Los Angeles Clippers (7-3): 98-88 win against the Toronto Raptors (11th November, Monday)
Houston Rockets (7-3): 122-116 win against the New Orleans Pelicans (11th November, Monday)
Los Angeles Clippers Preview
The Los Angeles Clippers are coming off a 98-88 win against the Toronto Raptors at home. Kawhi had a rare off-night as he shot 2-for-11 from the field and had as many as nine turnovers. However, Lou William's 21-point effort took them home.
The game against the Houston Rockets will be the first of their two-game road trip and they will be looking to start on a positive note. It is still unclear whether Paul George will return to action on Wednesday but if he does, it will be his reunion with former teammate Russell Westbrook and will be a very special matchup.
Key Player - Kawhi Leonard
There is no one on this team that is as talented as Kawhi Leonard as he is one of the top three two-way players in the league. His game has no weaknesses and is literally impossible to stop him once he catches fire.
The special thing about 'The Klaw' is that he brings the same intensity and efficiency on the defensive end and plays stifling defense to suffocate the opposition teams. Kawhi did not have his best performance against the Raptors and will be looking to get back to form.
Clippers predicted lineup
Ivica Zubac, Patrick Patterson, Patrick Beverley, Landry Shamet, Kawhi Leonard
Houston Rockets Preview
After a 3-3 start, the Houston Rockets won four straight games and are at the third spot in Western Conference Standings table with a 7-3 record. While the Rockets are not one of the best teams when it comes to defense, their offense is still one of the best in the league.
Having two of the best scorers in the league on your team definitely helps as it is evident from how the Rockets are getting points from Harden-Westbrook duo. If they can improve on the defensive end, they can definitely go deep in the playoffs this year.
Key Player - James Harden
Before the start of the season, a lot of analysts and fans said that James Harden will not have the kind of scoring season he has had last year. However, two weeks into the season, it appears like those people are in for a surprise as 'The Beard' is averaging 37.3 points per game in 35.7 minutes of action.
Even with Westbrook, who is yet another ball-dominant player on the team, Harden has been the go-to scorer for this team and even though he has been struggling to shoot from beyond the arc, he is still finding ways to score.
In the game against the Washington Wizards, Harden exploded for 59 points and sinked two game-winning free-throws to take the Rockets home.
Rockets predicted lineup
Clint Capela, PJ Tucker, Danuel House Jr, James Harden, Russell Westbrook
Clippers vs Rockets match prediction
Playing against one of the top defensive teams in the league will be a challenge for the Houston Rockets. The fact that the Rockets are an average team defensively while the Clippers have players who can hit clutch shots down the stretch will only make it more difficult for the Rockets to win this game.
I expect the Clippers' defensive juggernauts to stop Harden's scoring streak and give the Clippers a good road win.
Where to watch Clippers vs Rockets?
The game will be broadcast nationwide on ESPN. You can also catch the local coverage of the same on AT&T SPORTSNET - SOUTHWEST and FOX SPORTS PRIME TICKET. You can additionally live stream the game via NBA League Pass.