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LA Clippers Need Other Players To Step Up Against Houston

By Michael Hanich

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Marcus Morris Sr. #8 and Rajon Rondo #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers react to a play against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Staples Center on April 04, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Marcus Morris Sr. #8 and Rajon Rondo #4 of the Los Angeles Clippers react to a play against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter at Staples Center on April 04, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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It was a quiet night for most of the critics of Paul George and the LA Clippers (35-18) as they soundly defeated the Phoenix Suns 113-103 last night. This is the third consecutive win against one of the top five teams in the Western Conference by at least 10 points.

The Clippers will now prepare for another back-to-back against a depleted Houston Rockets (14-37). This will be the fifth game for the Rockets after trading shooting guard Victor Oladipo to the Miami Heat.

With two huge games from George and Kawhi Leonard, the LA Clippers might have to ease the pressure from their two star players and rely on other contributors to step up.

In the last two games for the LA Clippers, Paul George has played stellar basketball on the offensive side of the court. George has accounted for a total of 69 points shooting 23-for-37 on field goals and 13-for-18 from the three-point arc. He is also 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. George has played stellar against Portland and Phoenix despite concerns related to his lingering foot injury.

The Rockets have been all over the place this season, dealing with the two separate trades of James Harden and Oladipo. In the past 10 games, the Rockets have been 3-7 with five different players being their high-scorers. They have several different ways they can score, including point guard John Wall, power forward/center Kelly Olynyk, center Christian Wood, small forward Jae’Sean Tate, and shooting guard Kevin Porter Jr.

In those last10 games for the Rockets, they have averaged 111.1 points per game, which is higher than their season average of 107.7 points per game (24th in the league). They have allowed 114.1 points per game, which is also higher than their season average of 113.8 points allowed per game (22nd in the league). The Rockets are being led by first-year head coach Stephen Silas, who has never been a head coach at any level.

With another back-to-back set of games, and with only 19 games left until the 2021 NBA Playoffs, the LA Clippers have to be careful how aggressively they play against Houston. This game has all the potential to be another trap game similar to the 103-96 loss to the Orlando Magic after the huge win over the Milwaukee Bucks. With the injury concerns for George (foot) and point guard Reggie Jackson (eye), head coach Ty Lue must proceed with caution of these potentially hurt players by not overworking them.

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After two off-shooting nights, this will be a game for power forward Marcus Morris to find his groove. Morris scored 13 points shooting 5-for-15 on field goals and 3-for-10 from the three-point arc in the previous two games.

He also did not get a free throw attempt against either Portland or Phoenix. On Easter Sunday, Morris led the LA Clippers in points scored with 22, shooting 9-for-13 on field goals and 4-for-5 from the three-point arc in the 104-86 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

This will also be a great opportunity for shooting guards Terance Mann and Luke Kennard to return as significant contributors for the LA Clippers. Mann played 10 minutes (2 points) against Portland and 5 minutes (0 points) against Phoenix. Kennard played 3 minutes (0 points) against Portland and 1 minute (0 points) against Phoenix.

It is no surprise that with the addition of point guard Rajon Rondo the contributing roles of Mann and Kennard diminished slightly. They are not players the LA Clippers need to call on night in and night out. This game is a great opportunity for them to showcase their potential for an even bigger role with the Clippers.

Starting center Ivica Zubac will have a big game as he will have to constantly battle Wood and Olynyk on both ends of the court. This could be a game for DeMarcus Cousins to step in as an extra big to support Zubac and the LA Clippers against Houston. Cousins must use this game to prove himself and earn a potential season contract with Los Angeles. This will also be another opportunity for Rondo to guide the Clippers’ offense and to develop an even better playing chemistry with Kawhi Leonard.

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With this game having the opportunity to be another trap game, the LA Clippers need to make sure they can keep their grasp on a top three seed in the Western Conference. A bigger blow for this team now is to potentially overwork George, especially with the foot, and have him injured for the NBA Playoffs. Do not be surprised if George is put on rest or listed out with the foot injury. The LA Clippers need to play hard through the remaining 19 games, but they need to play even smarter.

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