'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Houston Rockets continued their road trip as they traveled to the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California to face the Los Angeles Clippers in a game that had the tendency to go out of hand, if last season is any precursor of things to come.
The Rockets ended up beating the Los Angeles Clippers by a huge margin, winning 130-103, and improving to a 51-28 record and staying 0.5 games ahead of the fourth placed Portland Trail Blazers.
The Los Angeles Clippers, on the other hand, fell to a 47-32 record and are now sixth in the Western Conference, setting up a potential play off series with the Rockets if the regular season ends as it stands currently.
Let us take a look at the three talking points of the match that took place last night.
#3 A playoff series between these teams will be a tantalising series
The Los Angeles Clippers are currently sixth in the Western Conference with a 47-22 record and are 1.5 games behind the fifth placed Utah Jazz, and 1.5 games ahead of the seventh placed Oklahoma City Thunder. As it stands, they will end up playing the Houston Rockets in the playoffs and from what we saw frothier last match-up, it will a great series to watch.
The Houston Rockets will be considered favourites for that series and they will also enjoy a home court advantage, where they are a solid 29-10 for the regular season. They are also 1.5 games behind the second placed Denver Nuggets and will look to stay third.
In the last match, the Rockets seemed to be in prime condition and played like a team that looked pretty much unstoppable on the offensive end. They seem to be clicking at the right time, which could spell trouble for a lot of teams that are looking to go on a deep playoff run.
The Clippers, on the other side, have a positive 20-19 record in away games and lost their first meeting against the Houston Rockets in three games this season. They are a better team than they showed on the court today and will be in trouble if they do not revive their form.
#2 The Los Angeles Clippers might not have what it takes to be a playoff contender
The Los Angeles Clippers have been one of the most inspiring stories of the season. They had no clear star player and came out into the season with some great form, led by their trio of Tobias Harris, Danilo Gallinari and Lou Williams.
They ended up trading their best player in Tobias Harris to the Philadelphia 76ers and nobody expected them to get even better. But they have won 13 of their 15 games prior to this match match. Led by Doc Rivers' strong coaching and tactics, they have exceeded all expectations.
The Clippers are currently sixth in the Western Conference and are a lock to make the playoffs. But what has led them to regular season success this year might not be helpful in the playoffs as we just saw.
They were completely outplayed by players that were just more talented than any other player on the roster and, there was just no response from the Clippers. Granted it was one of their worse games of the season, but this is the time they need to keep it going.
As we get closer to the playoffs, it might seem that the roster of the Los Angeles Clippers just does not have a star player of the level that the other teams in the playoffs do, which will impact their ability to take over the game or cut down a deficit real quick.
#1 The Rockets seem unbeatable if the Big 3 are on point
The Houston Rockets have become the number three seed in the Western Conference and have a 51-28 record, winning eight of their last 10 matches and are on a four game winning streak, which looks set to keep going as long as the trio of James Harden, Chris Paul and Clint Capela are in form.
In the game against the Los Angeles Clippers, James Harden again led the game in scoring, dropping 31 points, seven assists and seven rebounds in another big night for him. He was also efficient from the field, scoring 60% from the field.
Chris Paul had a bad shooting night against the Sacramento Kings during the last game but came back strong in this one against his old team. He scored a huge 29 points and had seven assists and four rebounds, along with a steal and a block to go with it. He was an efficient 52% from the field as well, making 10 of his 19 shot attempts.
Clint Capela was also quiet in the game against the Sacramento Kings last night and roared back into form in this one, playing around with the Clippers in the paint with his size and speed. He scored a great 24 points, shooting 64% from the field. He even grabbed himself a double double, with 15 rebounds and two blocks to go with it as well.
If the Big 3 of the Houston Rockets keep their strong form going from this game to the next and are on point during the playoffs, they will be one of the strongest teams in the playoffs, and will be very difficult to beat.
Guess the Lakers players!
