In another apparent mismatch between the NBA’s worst team and one of its best, the Los Angeles Clippers travel to Toyota Center to face the Houston Rockets on Friday night. The visitors are widely viewed as title contenders for the 2021 playoffs, having won 10 of their last 11 games.
For the home side, it’s yet another game versus a top-tier opponent as the 2020-21 regular season winds down. The Rockets were blasted by Utah on Wednesday, and the Clippers will have every opportunity to do the same as Houston’s brief two-game homestand comes to a close.
The Clippers are currently No. 3 in the race for playoff seeding in the Western Conference, and they have plenty of incentive not to overlook the Rockets. Los Angeles is only 1.5 games behind Phoenix for the No. 2 seed, yet No. 4 Denver is only a game back in the loss column. Thus, for the Clippers, every remaining game has playoff implications.
The Clippers easily handled the Rockets, 126-109 (recap), in the only other meeting between the teams this season. That game took place two weeks ago at Staples Center in Los Angeles, and it featured the home squad taking command with an incredible 41-10 second quarter.
Here’s when you should tune in to see Friday’s rematch:
- Date: Friday, April 23
- Time: 7 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest
- Live stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (15-44)
- Guard: John Wall
- Guard: Armoni Brooks
- Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
- Forward: Kelly Olynyk
- Center: Christian Wood
Los Angeles Clippers (42-19)
- Guard: Reggie Jackson
- Guard: Terance Mann
- Forward: Paul George
- Forward: Marcus Morris
- Center: Ivica Zubac
As expected, Houston’s injury report for Friday is long. Kevin Porter Jr. (health and safety protocols) DJ Augustin (left ankle), Sterling Brown (left knee), Dante Exum (right calf), Eric Gordon (right groin), and David Nwaba (right wrist) are all listed as out, though Danuel House Jr. (right ankle) is probable to return after missing the last 10 games.
John Wall is not listed on the injury report, but he could be a late addition, since Houston has returned to its original protocol of having Wall sit out one game of all back-to-backs for planned maintenance. If Wall does play Friday, he would likely sit out on Saturday in Denver.
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The Los Angeles injury report is less extensive in volume, listing only three confirmed absences for Friday. However, one of those is superstar forward Kawhi Leonard, who will miss a third straight game with right foot soreness. Serge Ibaka (lower back) and Patrick Beverley (left hand fracture) are also out, while Rajon Rondo (right wrist) is questionable.
But even with Leonard unavailable, the presence of another All-Star in Paul George will likely give the Clippers enough to win in Houston.
Note: This post first appeared on Rockets Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
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