The Houston Rockets (17-9) are set to face the Los Angeles Clippers (7-21) on Tuesday, December 23, in what marks their fifth game in a challenging six-game road stretch. Fans can catch the action at 9:30 PM CT, live from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. The game will be broadcasted on NBC and available on the Space City Home Network, YouTubeTV, Sling TV, and Peacock for those who have subscriptions, though local blackouts may apply.
The Rockets enter this matchup following a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings, a team lower in the standings. Houston showcased a strong performance during the first half, but they fell victim to a troubling trend—losing their momentum during the third quarter, which has become a recurring issue this season.
In contrast, the Clippers are looking to build on their unexpected victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, which broke a five-game losing streak. The Clippers dominated from the outset, outscoring the Lakers 28-15 in the first quarter, and maintained a lead that the Lakers were unable to overcome. Their defense proved effective, keeping the Lakers’ scoring opportunities at bay.
The Rockets’ recent performance has been perplexing, as they have demonstrated a capacity to compete with elite teams while faltering against others they should easily defeat. Just last week, Houston suffered another overtime loss to the New Orleans Pelicans after relinquishing a significant 25-point lead. This inconsistency has raised concerns about their ability to close games against less formidable opponents.
The upcoming game against the Clippers presents a vital opportunity for the Rockets. It will be crucial to see if their recent struggles are simply minor setbacks or indicative of deeper issues with their closing strategy.
Pre-tipoff FanDuel Odds have the Houston Rockets at -300 on the money line, versus the LA Clippers at +245, with a spread of -8 in favor of the Rockets, and an over/under set at 218.5. This matchup promises to be a telling moment for both teams as they navigate their respective challenges in the season.