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The Morning After: Rockets Destroy Effortless Clippers

By Ryan Snellings

Mar 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) controls the ball against the LA Clippers during the first half of a NBA basketball game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) controls the ball against the LA Clippers during the first half of a NBA basketball game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Rockets defeated the LA Clippers 122-103. The Rockets rained down 20 three-pointers on their way to the blowout victory.

The Houston Rockets just obliterated the LA Clippers last night. James Harden and company managed to hit 20 of 52 three-pointers and 28 of 33 free throws. However, the lights out shooting wasn’t the only problem the Clippers faced.

Making It Look Effortless

This isn’t the section where we talk about how talented the Clippers are and how they make basketball look so easy. Instead, they begrudgingly move up and down the court and lose any heart as soon as the momentum swings from them.

One of the biggest indicator of no effort? The rebounding numbers. The Rockets pulled down 62 rebounds, including 19 offensive boards. The Clippers? They managed only 36 total.

The game’s leading rebounder you ask? Patrick Beverly, the Rockets’ starting point guard. How pathetic is that?

DeAndre Jordan only finished with 9 rebounds while Blake Griffin somehow managed to grab only 4. There was even one play where Beverly soared above both Griffin and Jordan to secure an offensive board.

There were many more examples of no effort, but it’s not good for my blood pressure to list them all out.

James Harden

Hey, this guy is good. He’s neck and neck with Russell Westbrook in the MVP race. However, he got so many open looks that could have been avoided. For almost the whole game, the Clippers decided to switch on every pick and roll. Yes, this makes it easy to defend the shot off the screen and limit the drive, but oftentimes a big man was switched onto him. Harden, more often than not, would capitalize on this. He finished with 26 points.

He also had 9 assists. However, with the Rockets, hockey assists are the real deal. Harden’s penetration would set off a chain of passes around the perimeter until someone drilled a wide open three. The Clippers just couldn’t keep up with the ball movement. (Everyone has struggled with this against Houston)

OPINION: The Clippers Can Still Finish On A High Note

Doc Rivers

After yet another bad loss to a top team, many are calling for Doc to be held accountable. (We’ve been through this before.) ESPN’s Mark Jackson mentioned last night that the game plan wasn’t the issue, it was execution.

Personally, I’m not sure where to place the blame. As outsiders looking in, we can only speculate. However, something does need to change, whether it be personnel after the season or the approach being taken to each game.

After the game, Doc Rivers said the following:

"“We’re still getting right. We just got our two guys back, and it’s going to take time – I said that before the game. But that does not excuse how we played tonight.”"

So, he’s aware. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt though. 3 of the last 4 were against the top-three teams in the Western Conference and Chris Paul missed the first. Maybe they just need this last stretch to get some consistency and then play right come playoffs. Maybe things will click and the defensive presence from the beginning of the year will return. Maybe realizing that their window could close after this season will light a fire under them.

But, maybe we have said all this before.

The Clippers play the first of a back-to-back on Friday in Milwaukee.

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