Bad Blood between both teams
2015
The Clippers and Rockets have had their fare share of incidents and key playoff moments stemming back to when the teams faced off against each other in the 2015 NBA Playoffs.
If you recall, the Clippers blew a 3-1 series lead to the Houston Rockets that ultimately left the Clippers coming up short in clinching their first ever birth to the Conference Finals.
2016
The Clippers would end up signing the player that crushed the Clippers hearts in Game 6 of that series in Forward/Center Josh Smith.
Things would end up not working out as the Clippers traded him back to Houston later that season.
2017
Clippers Point Guard Chris Paul decides to leave the team and join the Houston Rockets.
However, in order to still maintain his bird rights ensuring him a super-max deal with the Rockets and helping the Clippers out, both teams would do a sign-and-trade deal.
In that trade of course, the Clippers would land Point Guard Patrick Beverley, Shooting Guard Lou Williams, Center Montrezl Harrell, Forward Sam Dekker (now in Washington) and a 2018 HOU 1st-Rd pick (traded to acquire Forward Danilo Gallinari in a sign-and-trade).
2018
Early January of 2018, the Clippers and Rockets would face each other for the first time since Chris Paul decided to leave.
This game of course was where the post-game secret locker room invasion occurred. All night both sides would be bickering back and forth at each other before things escalated.
Here’s a recap that will refresh your memory:
2018/2019
The Rockets would sign former Clipper and son of Clipper Head Coach Doc Rivers, Austin Rivers shortly after he was waived by the Phoenix Suns.
Thoughts
Can you imagine what a 7-Game Series of Patrick Beverley hounding Chris Paul and his former teammate James Harden for 48 minutes.
What about Montrezl Harrell throwing down vicious slams over the team and coach that sat him out for his first two seasons.
Keep in mind if the Clippers were to upset the Rockets, this will feel like sweet revenge stemming from the 2015 Playoffs.