Published on: Nov 15, 2022 12:03 am IST|Updated on: Nov 15, 2022 12:03 am IST
HOU vs LAC Dream11: The NBA Regular Season has ticked on at an electric rate and we have seen a great window where it has been difficult to judge whether the top teams form last season can sustain the same production, although the Celtics, the Suns, and the Grizzlies would suggest otherwise. Golden State Warriors, not so much. There are teams that seems like the replica of last season and two of them the Houston Rockets and the LA Clippers will meet here.
The Rockets enter the game after losing 106:119 against the LA Clippers despite a 33 points outburst by Jalen Green. They have now lost 11 of their 13 battles. On the other hand, the Clippers come into this game after losing 95:110 against the Brooklyn Nets. The Clippers have won seven of their 13 games. This will be the third meeting between these two squads and the Clippers have won two of those matches.
Host: Houston Rockets Visitors: LA Clippers Match Timing: 15 November, @ 06:30 AM (+05:30 UTC) Venue: Toyota Center
Clippers: A lot of work to do
The Clippers are playing just like last season. There are inspiring moments but largely, they are unable to go on a rhythm and have a tendency to lose way. They remain inefficient and their defense continues to be above-average, and thanks to that, they are a game above 50% win. Paul George is once again shouldering major weight whereas Kawhi Leonard is still not in the fray due to knee injuries. Reggie Jackson has let down the team, whereas Norman Powell need to do much more. John Wall has done well as a playmaking leader of the second unit whereas Marcus Morris and Ivica Zubac has been the team’s best players apart from George(especially Zubac).
Rockets: Losses in abundance
Rebuilding Rockets have continued where they left last season and for their fanbase, losses are just a way of ensuring that they get close to landing Victor Wembanayama. But this kind of losing streak can impact developing players like Jalen Green, Kevin Porter, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr. The Rockets have a lot of scoring and defensive potential but they are still in early stages of their rebuild it seems unless they are developing two of three players among Sengun, Green, Porter, or Jabari Smith to land a star player. Green has shown star-level scoring but will he be the answer as a Franchise’s face? A long way to go indeed.
Los Angeles Clippers Team News
Clippers Expected Starting Five Wings: SF/PF: Nicolas Batum | SF: Marcus Morris Middle: C: Ivica Zubac Ball-Handling Guards: PG: Reggie Jackson | SG: Paul George
BENCH: John Wall, Robert Covington, Norman Powell, Brandon Boston Jr., Moses Brown, Amir Coffey, Jason Preston, Luke Kennard, Moussa Diabate, Terance Mann.
Houston Rockets Team News
Rockets Expected Starting Five
Forward: PF: Jabari Smith Jr. Middle: C: Alperen Sengun Backcourt:SG: Jalen Green (QUESTIONABLE) | PG: Kevin Porter Jr. | SG: Eric Gordon
BENCH: Kenyon Martin Jr., Tari Eason, Usman Garuba, Garrison Mathews, Boban Marjanovic, Alperen Sengun, Trevor Hudgins, Josh Christopher, Daishen Nix.
Paul George(LAC) Points: 17 Rebounds: 04 Assists: 04 Blocks: 02 Off-Guard George has been on fire for most parts and there is a highly likelihood that he will recover from a 5/21 shooting night. Paul can be chosen as a Star/Pro Player in the Dream 11 NBA Fantasy scenario.
Kevin Porter Jr.(HOU) Points: 23 Rebounds: 01 Assists: 03 Guard Kevin is a superb playmaker who can be a strong scoring presence but he can be a tad inconsistent. I believe he will be in 15-21 points and 6-9 assists range.
Ivica Zubac(LAC) Points: 16 Rebounds: 15 Assists: 00 Big Zubac has been a relentless pursuer of the ball as a rebounder and this has been the best rebounding season of his career thus far. I believe he will be 10-16 points and 11-16 rebounds range here.
Jalen Green(HOU) Points: 33 Rebounds: 02 Assists: 06 Guard Jalen has done well to recover from an awful shooting stretch and picked up his game. I believe he will be in 20-26 points and 4-6 assists range here.
Alperen Sengun(HOU) Points: 06 Rebounds: 03 Assists: 01 Steals: 01 Alperen is developing into one of the best Centers in the league but there is still a long long way to go. I believe he will be in 14-20 points, 9-13 rebounds, and 1-2 steals/blocks range.
John Wall(LAC) Points: 14 Rebounds: 01 Assists: 06 Steals: 01 Wall is a terrific playmaker but his overall game is a shadow of what it was when he used to be a multiple time All-Star. I believe he will be in 12-16 points and 5-8 assists range.
Jabari Smith Jr(HOU) Points: 09 Rebounds: 15 Assists: 02 Blocks: 02 Forward Smith is a strong rebounder and defender but his offense is still out of control and needs a lot of work. I believe the Forward will be in 8-12 points, 7-10 rebounds, and 1-2 blocks/steals range.
PG: R Jackson, J Wall, K Porter(PP) SG: P George(SP) SF: N Powell PF: K Martin, J Smith Jr C: A Sengun
The Clippers need a win to get rolling but will the young Rockets enable them to do that? To catch this game, you can go to the NBA League Pass. Extended highlights of the game will be available on the official YouTube channel of the NBA. To know the scores, stats, and news, go to the official website of the NBA.