Clippers Dominate Rockets as Teams Eye Playoff Positions

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — In a playoff scenario with differing stakes, the Los Angeles Clippers overwhelmed the Houston Rockets 134-117 at the Intuit Dome on Wednesday night. The victory allowed the Clippers to improve their record to 48-32 as they lock in their playoff seeding, while the second-seeded Rockets now stand at 52-28.

With their No. 2 seed already secured in the 2024-25 Western Conference playoffs, the Rockets chose to rest several key players, including Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, and Dillon Brooks. Leading scorer Jalen Green was also limited to just 15 minutes, scoring only five points.

Despite this, Houston maintained competitiveness, with a starting lineup featuring Eason, Whitmore, Landale, and Sheppard stepping up. Rookie guard Sheppard notably made six 3-pointers, setting a career-high in the process. Houston shot 50 percent from beyond the arc (20-of-40), but ultimately could not match the Clippers’ intensity.

James Harden led the charge for Los Angeles with 35 points and 10 assists, shooting 55.6 percent from the field. Veteran Kawhi Leonard supported with 22 points and 10 rebounds, cementing the Clippers’ strong performance. The Clippers’ Ivica Zubac recorded a triple-double compounding Houston’s troubles.

“He was aggressive,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said of Green’s performance. “He understands the shots that he’s going to get against certain players and matchups.” The coach emphasized the importance of these experiences for his players, especially when facing off against elite opponents.

With their playoff position secure, the Rockets will round out their regular season with matches against the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors. Meanwhile, the Clippers are pushing to solidify their playoff seed, currently contending between No. 3 and No. 4.

Looking ahead to Friday, the Rockets will face the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers currently hover between the No. 3 and No. 5 seeds in the Western Conference and are still vying for home-court advantage in the upcoming playoffs. The Rockets, however, may continue their strategy of resting key players as they prepare for the postseason.

Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and VanVleet are listed as questionable for the matchup against the Lakers after missing Wednesday’s game. Both Amen Thompson and Dillon Brooks are expected to return.

With the regular season drawing to a close, the outcome of these final games holds significance for playoff positioning across the league. Houston’s intention to play it safe could influence Friday’s encounter with Los Angeles.