NBA Game of the Week: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets

Friday marks the opening games of the NBA Emirates Cup group stage for many teams. Already, the tournament has delivered surprises, like the Atlanta Hawks upsetting the Boston Celtics and Klay Thompson, now with the Dallas Mavericks, taking down his former team, the Golden State Warriors.

Today, we’re focusing on a rematch between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Houston Rockets, following their recent clash on Wednesday. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect in this anticipated matchup.

Wednesday’s game saw the Rockets prevail over the Clippers, 111-103, in a performance that highlighted some of L.A.’s key vulnerabilities. Without Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers struggled to generate consistent offense.

Leading scorer Norman Powell had an off night, shooting just 5-for-18 from the field, and the bench contributed little outside of Terrence Mann. The lack of scoring depth underscored just how much Leonard’s absence impacts the team.

In contrast, the Rockets benefited from strong bench performances, particularly from Amen Thompson and Tariq Eason. Both posted 18-point double-doubles and along with Dillon Brooks, they were the only Rockets players to post a positive box plus-minus, showcasing the depth and impact of Houston’s reserves.

With this win, Houston extended their winning streak to three games, while the Clippers will be looking to rebound from two consecutive losses after previously riding a four-game winning streak.

Given that it’s uncommon for both teams’ starters to have consecutive off nights, this next game in the back-to-back series should look different.

The stakes of the NBA Cup group stage add additional pressure, with point differential potentially factoring into which teams advance. This should lead to higher intensity and, likely, a higher-scoring game.

To avoid another loss, the Clippers need to maintain focus throughout and avoid underestimating the Rockets’ bench. Wednesday’s game underscored the value of Houston’s reserves, and L.A. will have to respect that depth.

Powell and Ivica Zubac will need to step up; both have been pivotal for the Clippers, with Powell averaging 25 points per game and Zubac posting 16 points and 12 rebounds per game.

James Harden’s performance is also crucial. His struggles with shot consistency and decision-making in critical moments have been issues this season. Harden will need to cut down on costly turnovers and poor shot selection if the Clippers want to keep the game close in the final minutes.

For Houston, the starting lineup needs to step up. While the bench has been exceptional, relying on them to win every game isn’t sustainable—only deep, elite teams like the Warriors of recent years can do that consistently. The Rockets will also need to continue their dominance on the boards; their rebounding has been a significant factor in their recent success, with Houston currently leading the NBA in rebounds per game.

The Rockets may also want to consider shifting Fred VanVleet to a sixth-man role, as his performance has dropped this season.

Amen Thompson, who has shown promise as a point guard, could potentially improve the starting lineup’s efficiency.

Friday’s game should be more competitive than Wednesday’s, as both teams make adjustments. With the Rockets favored by 4.5 points, they’re expected to have the edge. However, the Clippers have pulled off some notable upsets this season, so they shouldn’t be underestimated.

As both teams make their NBA Cup debuts, this game is sure to bring intensity and excitement. Fans can look forward to a close contest as these Western Conference rivals vie for an early advantage in the Emirates Cup.

Alec Brown is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email aeb6680@psu.edu.