The LA Clippers find themselves in the midst of a fierce battle for home court advantage in the first round of playoffs while the Houston Rockets are clinched and locked in their current position and opponent. Although not much is at stake for Houston, they continue to fight and win with their impressive season thus far.
This is a much more important game for the LA Clippers who want to earn home court against the Utah Jazz. Los Angeles is also looking to add onto their current five game win streak, playing with rhythm heading into the post-season.
Houston is going into the second part of a back to back in California. The Clippers are the home team for the last two remaining games. The LA Clippers are inching to stay home for as long as the first week of the playoffs, if they earn home-court. Although the Rockets are on their second game of a back to back, ironically they are an excellent 13-2 record when playing without rest. That leads the league this season.
There is no doubt that these two teams do not like each other, having quite a past. Houston has the upper-hand this year, as well as most years unfortunately. Who can forget that disaster of a second round series a few years back? The Rockets own this regular season so far, winning the three game series by dominating the first two games both by double digits. The Clippers need to make a statement here and head into the post season on a big winning streak.
Clippers are really taking advantage of a fortunate schedule with a late winning streak to end the season. They are just off an impressive victory visiting San Antonio. LA’s defense has improved recently. Tonight, we have one team who is hitting all cylinder defensively at the moment, matching up with one of the most efficient offense’s in the game today. Additionally James Harden will be making another case for the Most Valuable Player race.
MVP Race
Harden, who is in the thick of the MVP race, answered Russel Westbrook last night with his own triple double. (35-15-11) According to ESPN., he is attempting to continue his case to upset Westbrook as the top MVP candidate. Unlikely after last night’s historic game for Westbrook, however there are still two games left and anything can happen. Expect a tough game from both him and the Houston Rockets.
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