Rockets at Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers look to record their 14th victory in 16 games when they host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Houston also is hot with 17 wins in its plast 20 contests after rolling to a 130-105 victory in Sacramento on Tuesday.
The Rockets are one-half game ahead of Portland for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, while the Clippers are one-half game behind fifth-place Utah. "You don't need to use your energy to look at the rankings," Los Angeles forward Danilo Gallinari told reporters of the closeness of the West race. "You need to use your energy to win games." The Rockets matched the NBA record of 26 3-pointers that they set earlier this season in the rout of the Kings and have made 20 or more on 16 occasions. Houston reached the 50-win mark for the fifth time in six seasons as star guard James Harden poured in 36 points.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (50-28): Harden also recorded 10 assists against Sacramento and knocked down seven 3-pointers to raise his season count to 360, which is second-best in NBA history behind Stephen Curry (402 in 2015-16). Sharpshooter Eric Gordon knocked down five 3-pointers during a 20-point effort against the Kings and has made 20 over the last five games despite missing all five of his attempts against Milwaukee on March 26. Kenneth Faried (knee) returned from a three-game absence to produce 12 points and 11 rebounds in 21 minutes.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (47-31): Gallinari recorded 27 points and a season-best 15 rebounds in Sunday's 113-96 home victory over Memphis and leads the club with career-best averages of 19.8 and 6.2. The 30-year-old Gallinari has registered a career-high seven double-doubles this season after suffering through a tough first season with the club, when he shot just 39.8 percent from the field and saw action in only 21 games due to multiple injuries. Backup shooting guard Lou Williams scored 17 points against the Grizzlies and has recorded 15 or more in 20 of his last 21 contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Clippers are 2-0 against the Rockets this season, winning by three points at home and by 20 in Houston.
2. Rockets backup SG Gerald Green (thigh) is expected to miss his sixth straight game.
3. Los Angeles PG Patrick Beverley (hip pointer) is questionable for Wednesday's contest.