Game two of Week 5’s ESPN Friday doubleheader revisits the rivalry between the Clippers and Rockets, as game two of their seasonal four-game series takes place at 10:30 p.m. on ESPN, right after the Spurs and Sixers finish up.
The Rockets won their last duel in Houston, when it seemed that once Kawhi Leonard was on the floor the same time as the rest of his starting five, the Clippers looked unbeatable. Now, the Rockets (disregarding a humbling loss to the Denver Nuggets two nights ago) look like some of the most egregious aggressors of the West. James Harden ended last season on a historic streak and is continuing his fiery output, leading the third-best offense in the league to an eight game winning streak.
He’s been averaging over 40.4 points in the team’s last nine contests, but do realize that last Clippers win was a result of the perfect conjoining of a 17-point night from Russell Westbrook, and a 47-point, 7-ast. and 6-reb. night from James Harden. In tonight’s rematch, they’ll have to not only gameplan for Kawhi again, who in their last battle with Houston had an all-around effort of 26 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists, but deal with six-time All-Star and two-way dynamo in the fresh and returning Paul George.
In the Rockets and Clippers most recent game on November 13, Houston put in their best defensive performance to date, holding the former Rockets in Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, and Montrezl Harrell to a combined 13-44 overall and 1-13 from deep.
And again, that’s without Paul George in the lineup. Doc Rivers’ plan to space the floor will likely include the slashing and sniping George, which should open some room for their guards to run a lot more pick and roll. Rivers should have a little extra motivation to beat his son Austin’s team, for he helped in persuading Tony Brothers to kick him out of the game.
We’re probably going to see that offensive and defensive barrage that both Leonard and George bring together, considering we all saw what the duo could potentially accomplish this season in their overtime win against Boston. Harden is going to have a big night, regardless of who’s on him but his supporting cast of Westbrook, PJ Tucker, Clint Capela and others have to bring their A game if they’re to keep the fire burning on their road trip.
Rockets – Clippers tip off at 10:30 p.m. ET/9:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.
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