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00:00:00From the Toyota Center here in downtown Houston, Space City Hall Network presents Houston Rockets Basketball.
00:00:06As tonight, following yet another lengthy layoff, the 15-6 Rockets face the struggling 6-18 Los Angeles Clippers.
00:00:16Good evening and welcome back once again to Rockets Basketball right here on Space City Hall Network.
00:00:22Alongside the all-time leader in Clippers' true shooting percentage, Ryan Hollins, I am Craig Ackerman.
00:00:29It is great to be back with you. We're here from Vanessa Richardson here in just a few minutes.
00:00:34But look, the early season schedule for the Rockets, Ryan, has been wonky. It's remained wonky.
00:00:40The Rockets haven't played since they got beat in Dallas on Saturday night.
00:00:44Now, the entire league has had a bizarre schedule this week because of NBA Cup play.
00:00:48And this is one of the games tonight for the Rockets that was rescheduled or actually scheduled because they didn't advance out of the group stage.
00:00:54But here we are, the Rockets and the Clippers.
00:00:56But one thing I will say about all the time off, the extended time off for the Rockets this season,
00:01:00is that practice time is precious for teams during the regular season.
00:01:04They've had a lot of chance, a lot of opportunity to get better in practice here in the first six weeks of the season.
00:01:09Yeah, you've got to understand, Craig, this group's best basketball is to come.
00:01:13And because of that, early on having the opportunity to practice, to go over your mistakes,
00:01:17to see what you want with the coaching staff and onto the players, and even more so without Fred VanVleet.
00:01:22Fred is normally the buffer between the coaches and the players, so not having him makes practice time early that much more valuable
00:01:28because the Rockets are about to run into a stretch where they're likely not going to be practicing for a long time.
00:01:33Well, James Harden is back in town.
00:01:35He'll join the floor once again with a former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate of his and Kevin Durant.
00:01:40That's the subject of our Inside Look presented by Memorial Hermann Rockets Orthopedics.
00:01:44And ironically, both James Harden and Kevin Durant have turned out to be two of the best hoopers in the history of the sport,
00:01:50and they're also two of the ten best scorers in the history of the sport.
00:01:54It's really mind-blowing that Oklahoma City had these two and Russell Westbrook on the same roster at the same time.
00:02:02You're looking at two of the greatest to ever do it in the game, two of the greatest scorers.
00:02:06And for James Harden, I don't think we all knew.
00:02:08And Kevin Durant is drafted second behind Greg Oden, so I don't think they knew in that draft how special he was.
00:02:14But to see them playing at the level now, what I look at from playing against them
00:02:18and working out with them in the summers is the commitment off the court that these guys have,
00:02:23and that's how you gain longevity.
00:02:24And congratulations to James Harden.
00:02:26He just passed Carmelo Anthony on the all-time scoring list.
00:02:29And, of course, Kevin Durant is closing in on Wilt Chamberlain.
00:02:32Now, as I mentioned at the top, the Clippers are struggling.
00:02:34They're just 6-18.
00:02:35They won 50 games last year, but I wouldn't let that record fool anybody into a false sense of security.
00:02:41They got talent on this Clippers roster.
00:02:44Kawhi Leonard is amongst that talent.
00:02:46He's playing here tonight.
00:02:47He's always played well against the Rockets, and they're still a very dangerous team.
00:02:50Yeah, this is a big game where you never look at the record.
00:02:53You look at the talent.
00:02:54And for Kawhi Leonard, man, he's one of the most efficient scorers that the game is going to see.
00:02:59He can get his shot off in a small space.
00:03:03He drives and gets downhill.
00:03:04He's physical.
00:03:05He's got big hands so you don't bump him off.
00:03:07But for Kawhi Leonard, the biggest keys are keeping length on him, running him.
00:03:12When he's on defense, don't play around with the basketball.
00:03:14Just drive past it, man.
00:03:15But he's still extremely efficient.
00:03:17No question about that.
00:03:19Now, after missing a couple of games due to an illness, Alperin Shingun is back tonight.
00:03:24Vanessa will highlight that and more when we count you down,
00:03:27as we count you down to the Rockets and the Clippers right here on Space City Hall Network.
00:03:31Rockets Basketball on Space City Hall Network is brought to you by your local Toyota dealers.
00:03:49Toyota Let's Go Places.
00:03:51Exclusive furniture where low prices live.
00:03:55And by Reliant, official energy provider of the Houston Rockets.
00:03:58Welcome back to Houston where the Houston Rockets finally have a home game getting ready to host the L.A. Clippers.
00:04:05Hi, everybody.
00:04:06I'm Vanessa Richardson.
00:04:07And it goes without saying that James Harden and Kevin Durant have history together.
00:04:12They played together in Oklahoma City and Brooklyn.
00:04:14And tonight marks the 25th time that the two have faced off.
00:04:17It is a matchup of two future Hall of Famers.
00:04:20Here's Kevin Durant on the beard.
00:04:22The last few years, you know, as we've hit 32, 33, I think guys have reshaped their games
00:04:32and adapted to the new style of basketball.
00:04:34And James has always been a player that gets ahead and stuff like that.
00:04:38So it's no surprise to me that he's balling out.
00:04:40A lot of players have benefited off of him just being on the floor.
00:04:43So, you know, he's a tough, tough cover.
00:04:48And, you know, we scout heavily for players like that.
00:04:52And Emei Adoka says this will be a stamina game.
00:04:55Said the Clips are dependent on Harden and Leonard.
00:04:57The goal, of course, is to limit them.
00:04:59Clippers or Rockets is coming your way on the Space City Home Network.
00:05:02Tonight's participant will get one shot for a chance to earn 5,000
00:05:18towards the Clutch City Foundation.
00:05:20Rockets fans, let's welcome 2025 NFL draft pick
00:05:25and Houston Texans wide receiver Jaden Higgins.
00:05:29All right, Jaden, everybody ready, take the first shot.
00:05:37Nicely done.
00:05:38Jaden, free effort's $5,000.
00:05:41We don't need the Clutch City.
00:05:47All right, welcome back to Toyota Center, everybody.
00:05:50With Ryan Hollins and Vanessa Richardson, I am Craig Ackerman.
00:05:53The Rockets now 15-6 after the most recent game.
00:05:56Ironically, the same record they had to start last year.
00:05:58The Clippers just 6-18 and 3-11 on the road.
00:06:03Let's meet the starting lineups for this one, shall you?
00:06:06One of the two scheduled games for the Rockets and the Clippers, for that matter,
00:06:10after not advancing out of group play for the Rockets.
00:06:12Makogi Thompson, welcome back to Alperin Shingu, Jabari Smith, Jr.
00:06:15and Kevin Durant on the opposite side of familiar face and beard in James.
00:06:20He's joined by Chris Dunn, Zubats, he fits with Zubats, John Collins, and Kawhi Leonard.
00:06:27Rockets' final home game until, like, after Christmas.
00:06:32They're going to hit the road for a long stretch after this one.
00:06:35They're trying to get back in the win column after that loss in Dallas to the Mavericks.
00:06:38And, Ryan, this is how they are going to pull that off.
00:06:41It's time for our keys in the game, presented by Toyota.
00:06:44No record, as in you cannot look at the Clippers record.
00:06:48You have to look at their talent, show up, and be ready to play transition.
00:06:52Craig, we don't need to sugarcoat it.
00:06:53This is an older Clippers group, so you have an advantage.
00:06:56If you get on a run, you're going to get great layups or open looks and crash ball.
00:07:01You can really hurt L.A. on the glass, and it may be the wings.
00:07:04It may be the amends, and the Jabaris dive it in to create second and third chance opportunities.
00:07:09And that's been Houston's advantage all season long.
00:07:12Well, last season, the Clippers were by far, by far, the best defensive rebounding team in the NDA.
00:07:18They've slipped from that, currently 12th in the league in defensive rebounding percentage.
00:07:22Of course, the Rockets are probably the best rebounding team, an offensive rebounding team in the three-point era.
00:07:27So the Clippers have it to start.
00:07:29They find Collins, who came over from Utah.
00:07:31There's Zubac with the offensive rebound, working on Shingun, and Shingun knocks it out of his hands.
00:07:36You can see the difference in Al P. from about two or three years ago, just being able to hold his ground against Zubac.
00:07:44And, boy, are we glad that he's healthy and back in the lineup.
00:07:47Really missed him against Dallas last game.
00:07:51So 11 on this first possession for the Clippers.
00:07:53Harden threw up a lob there, almost stolen by the Rockets.
00:07:57They swing it to a wide-open Dunn.
00:08:00And the rebound eventually tapped by Shingun to Okoge.
00:08:03And now the Rockets will officially touch it for the first time.
00:08:07And that Dunn didn't start by hitting his first three.
00:08:12Dunn, a terrific defender.
00:08:13It steals, plays in the passing lanes, deflections, all that.
00:08:19Durant with a shot clock winding down, takes a contested two and misses.
00:08:22And then Thompson taps it to Okoge.
00:08:24And then Okoge's ball fake gets the bigger man, Zubac, off his feet and back down on top of him for a foul.
00:08:31And the Rockets will attempt to record their first points of this game at the free-throw line.
00:08:35Zubac, his time in with the Clippers the last couple of seasons.
00:08:42The best years he has ever had in the league.
00:08:45Last year, an all-defensive second team member.
00:08:48He has thrived with the Clippers.
00:08:52And a missed free throw.
00:08:54And now a word from Mokarum Injury Lawyers.
00:08:56Every team has a leader you can count on.
00:09:00For Houston, that's Mokarum Injury Lawyers.
00:09:02So one more for Okoge.
00:09:07Of course, the Rockets only lost two games with him in the starting line.
00:09:10The second loss came in their last game in Dallas.
00:09:17So in the top half of the first, it's 1-0 Houston.
00:09:21Harden draws two.
00:09:22Another wide-open look.
00:09:24Another miss for Dunn.
00:09:26And then Thompson took it away from Zubac.
00:09:28He may, by design, have really left Dunn wide open in all the match-ups.
00:09:33Boom!
00:09:34He was able to re-establish himself back in bounds.
00:09:38Now to Shen Goon.
00:09:39He'll spin the shooter for college.
00:09:40And it goes down first bucket for Shen Goon of the Rockets tonight.
00:09:44And again, really glad to have Alfi back.
00:09:46That is huge.
00:09:48And seeing his impact, you know, you think about his playmaking, rebounding, and scoring inside.
00:09:54Both these teams rely heavily on isolations.
00:09:58They rely heavily on post-ups.
00:10:01Harden, greatest ISO player in the history of the sport.
00:10:05Now to Zubac.
00:10:06To Kawhi Leonard with a shot clock winding down.
00:10:08They played very deep into that possession.
00:10:10Yet another miss.
00:10:11They've taken four shots.
00:10:12They've all been threes the Clippers have.
00:10:14They've all been misses.
00:10:15And there's some deceleration at two points for Amen Thompson.
00:10:17And, you know, Collins is bigger.
00:10:20But for Amen Thompson, his role, when he sees one-on-one in transition and open floor,
00:10:24he's got to take it.
00:10:25And he did right there.
00:10:27Jabari on Harden.
00:10:28Oped it away.
00:10:29Can he get to it?
00:10:30He does.
00:10:31Great stuff from Jabari Smith, Jr.
00:10:33So, again, we talked about the Clippers lacking the energy.
00:10:38So, if you attack and you run out in transition, that's a great signing.
00:10:42How about that defense from Jabari?
00:10:43Yeah.
00:10:44On ball, the steal, the swipe, and the score.
00:10:49Yeah.
00:10:49And, again, look, Alpi is guarding Dunn.
00:10:51So, he's just roaming right now and helping everything.
00:10:56Two on Harden into Zubac.
00:10:58Nice find.
00:10:59He was wide open for the dunk.
00:11:00Yeah.
00:11:01Miscommunication.
00:11:02Alpi went to help.
00:11:03I didn't think he needed to be there.
00:11:04But you wanted to sit to the baseline.
00:11:05And the rest of the guys have to see the ball and rotate over.
00:11:08Harden averaging over eight assists per game.
00:11:12Fifth in the league in the assists per game.
00:11:13They try to go into Durant, fronted by Leonard.
00:11:16And Kawhi is going to be called for a personal foul.
00:11:20Now, look at Jabari.
00:11:21Watch him get in a stance and poke this away from one of the better players that ever do it.
00:11:27Isolation of players in the game.
00:11:28But get down and kind of goes off James' leg.
00:11:32And even better, man.
00:11:33That's a tough pickup.
00:11:34Sometimes you bobble the pickup and you take away a chance for a layup.
00:11:37Durant had it deflected.
00:11:38Stolen by Dunn.
00:11:39He'll race the other direction.
00:11:42Plays it to Collins.
00:11:43Pressured by Okoge.
00:11:44He knocks it away.
00:11:45Durant picks it up.
00:11:46The Rockets will ignite the break.
00:11:48A hit to him and toss it.
00:11:50That's electric there.
00:11:51Again, we talk about Houston getting out in transition and striking early.
00:11:55Already three turnovers for the Clippers to start the game.
00:11:59And a half a dozen points in the paint.
00:12:03Four points on the break.
00:12:05The last two coming with that dunk.
00:12:07And the nice little stare down into the camera from a man Thompson.
00:12:10And a really good start for the Rockets tonight.
00:12:12Teron Liu played with Kobe Shaq.
00:12:15He even played with Michael Jordan in Washington.
00:12:17And, of course, he coached LeBron James.
00:12:19He knows a thing or two about superstars.
00:12:21So, I asked him why Kevin Durant has had the longevity he's had.
00:12:25He said his love of the game.
00:12:27Ty said he see him every summer.
00:12:28He's playing pickup.
00:12:29He's playing in charity games.
00:12:31Whenever you have a basketball game, Ty said Kevin Durant wants to be there.
00:12:34He said you mix that with his greatness.
00:12:37Being seven foot, catch and shoot, all the dribble threes.
00:12:39He can beat you off the dribble.
00:12:41Ultimately, though, his hard work and love for the game has gotten Kevin Durant to this point, guys.
00:12:46No question about it.
00:12:47Really does love the sport.
00:12:50Understands it.
00:12:51Appreciates it.
00:12:54Collins with three.
00:12:55And the rebound on the weak side to Shen Goon.
00:12:58So, now five threes for the Clippers.
00:13:00And an 0 for 5 from three.
00:13:02Rockets trying to add to their lead.
00:13:03And that one's off the foot of Shen Goon.
00:13:07Clippers have numbers.
00:13:08Harden to pull up.
00:13:09He misses the three.
00:13:11Back tapped by a pogey.
00:13:12But they say he went over the back and picked up the foul.
00:13:16By the way, also, in addition to being number 10 now on the all-time scoring list for James Harden,
00:13:21currently second all-time in made threes.
00:13:24Closing in on 3,300 threes made in his career.
00:13:28Yeah, that is big time for James Harden.
00:13:31Congratulations there.
00:13:32And again, man, I've seen him putting the work in the offseason and those late hours to pay off.
00:13:38But right now what Houston's doing, and they're not matched up here, but Althi's guarding Dunn so he can roam.
00:13:44And then you got Jabari as, you know what, this is that layup attempt.
00:13:48But Jabari's been guarding Zubat, but he's added strength, so that's no longer a mismatch inside for him.
00:13:53Shen Goon's been struggling from three, stepped into that, missed it.
00:13:56And then Okoge trying to tap the ball, ended up getting Harden in the face.
00:14:00So that's the second foul on him.
00:14:03Yeah, put, you know, for Josh, he knows he can come out and bring energy.
00:14:07And let's see this replay there.
00:14:10Did he get Harden in the face?
00:14:11I didn't see anything from that angle.
00:14:14Oh, he's got two fouls.
00:14:15Possibly from another.
00:14:16There's the thing.
00:14:21That's where Kawhi Leonard, Craig, he's tough because he puts that shoulder into you,
00:14:26and then he's fading away and leaning back.
00:14:29So you've got to really take that first and second bump from Kawhi when guarding him.
00:14:33Fifteenth game this season for Kawhi Leonard.
00:14:38Coming into this game, he had missed a whopping 236 of a possible 516 games.
00:14:44Ball with the Clippers, quarter three, Jabari Smith, Jr.
00:14:48That's where Kevin is really impressed.
00:14:51He's looking to playmate.
00:14:53He's looking to get the ball to his teammates.
00:14:55Whenever he sees a double team or defenses load up on him, he's moved it.
00:14:59Collins spun himself out of the basketball.
00:15:03Durant, to Thompson, to Okoge.
00:15:06Air mails it.
00:15:08I mean, really air mails it.
00:15:09Well, those looks are going to be there.
00:15:10If you push, you will have wide open looks.
00:15:13I thought a man could have probably drove in a little more.
00:15:17Kawhi finally gets one to go for three for the Clippers.
00:15:20They were 0 for 6 from deep going into that shot.
00:15:25Shooting 39% from three this season, 39% from his career.
00:15:29Just a tremendous shooter.
00:15:31Tremendous player with all the floor,
00:15:32but his lack of availability has just really hurt this franchise.
00:15:38Stolen away, picked up by Collins, races the other way,
00:15:40leaves it short because he got clipped and fouled by Shingun.
00:15:44And so Collins will head to the free throw line.
00:15:47Acquired in the offseason via three-team trade from the Utah Jazz.
00:15:53The Heat, the other team involved.
00:15:56So Collins will head to the free throw line and we'll check in here with Vanessa.
00:15:59Hey, take advantage of tonight's Rocket Shop online item of the game.
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00:16:10That's a good deal.
00:16:11I like it.
00:16:11And I like the bright fluorescent color.
00:16:15It's different.
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00:16:17Yeah.
00:16:17Yeah, I like it.
00:16:18Good deal.
00:16:19Shout out to the ladies.
00:16:19Yeah.
00:16:20Get your hoodie.
00:16:23So Dunn goes out.
00:16:25A former Rockets draft pick, Nick Batum, comes in.
00:16:28It's been a while, but he was drafted by the Rockets with the 25th pick back in 2008.
00:16:35Well, I remember playing against Nicholas Batum.
00:16:40Some great years up there in Portland.
00:16:42He's had a good career.
00:16:43Long career.
00:16:45Yeah, really revitalized his career here with the Clippers.
00:16:48Oh, pretty good hustle.
00:16:49Almost threw that ball back off of the men.
00:16:51Thompson after the initial deflection.
00:16:53Rockets still have it.
00:16:54Ten on the possession.
00:16:55Yeah, Batum, a really good defender.
00:16:57He's got an enormous wingspan.
00:16:59See Steven Adams, one of the greatest ever rebound.
00:17:03I want to call them the Stash Bros.
00:17:04That's what I'm used to saying.
00:17:05When Steven and Reed check in, but see his impact on the glass.
00:17:10Yeah, those two guys, intimate Thompson and Shen Goose, go out.
00:17:12Of course, Adams also missed that game in Dallas on the second night of a back-to-back.
00:17:16The Rockets are only two on the second night of a back-to-back this season.
00:17:21Still playing the fewest.
00:17:22Still playing the fewest overall games in the league.
00:17:24Rockets winding down.
00:17:26Reed Shepard gets by Harden.
00:17:28Got by Zubats.
00:17:30I love that.
00:17:31You sometimes get in these butter or red situations.
00:17:34That's one thing we'll scream from the bench.
00:17:36And you just jack the three.
00:17:38If you've got time, put it on the court.
00:17:39Drive it.
00:17:40And Reed does.
00:17:40That's where Kawhi's dangerous, man.
00:17:42Again, he can hit those contested shots.
00:17:44So that's his second three.
00:17:47He's got a very quiet eight points for the Clippers, who have rallied back from that early eight-point deficit.
00:17:52And that goes down to Kevin Durant.
00:17:54That's a look that's going to be there all night because Zubats loves to say it in deep drop.
00:17:58And if you set a screen, he's going to be late with Kevin Durant.
00:18:01Rockets second in the league from three, just a tad under 40%.
00:18:06Durant defending Leonard, stripped it away.
00:18:08Kawhi stays with the play.
00:18:09That is Zubats.
00:18:10Not quite sure what he wants to do with it.
00:18:12We'll try to back into Steven Adams.
00:18:14Couldn't do that.
00:18:15But he was able to whirl around him and still score.
00:18:18Oh, gosh.
00:18:19Kevin wasn't even looking.
00:18:20And I think somebody yelled at him to look up for the front row.
00:18:23They said butter.
00:18:24You like that one?
00:18:26I do.
00:18:27Durant bounces off Akogi.
00:18:31Comes flying in there.
00:18:32Acrobatic finish there from Josh Akogi.
00:18:34And again, man, his job is to bring energy.
00:18:37That's why he just brought success in the starting group.
00:18:40Martin, what a pass.
00:18:42Out to an open Collins in the corner.
00:18:44He misses the play.
00:18:45Shepard, the quick rebound and outlet to Smith.
00:18:49He'll stop and pop.
00:18:50And that dances off Akogi trying to track it down.
00:18:53He got there but couldn't quite get his hand wrapped around the ball.
00:18:57So it'll go back to the Clippers.
00:18:58But pretty good hustle nonetheless.
00:19:00Craig, it doesn't seem like much.
00:19:02Maybe missed.
00:19:03I like that hustle from Josh Akogi.
00:19:05But I love that Reed Shepard is coming to the game.
00:19:07And you see a change of pace.
00:19:10And, you know, when you come off the bench and you can change the pace,
00:19:13the tempo and the speed of the game, you've done your job.
00:19:16Clippers coming off of a loss on Saturday themselves.
00:19:20It was the second night of a back-to-back.
00:19:22That got beat by Minnesota.
00:19:24Good hands by Shepard.
00:19:25Stolen away from Harden.
00:19:27And his pass gets deflected back by Leonard and scooped up by Batool.
00:19:30We saw that a lot in Dallas.
00:19:32We've seen it a lot lately.
00:19:34And hopefully Houston can improve.
00:19:36You worked so hard to get a steal defensively.
00:19:39Harden in on Shepard.
00:19:40Got fouled.
00:19:40That will count.
00:19:42One free throw coming up for the beard.
00:19:44James Harden, so smart.
00:19:46You weren't going to fool him twice, Craig.
00:19:48I'm sure you like that one.
00:19:49Yep.
00:19:49And when he drives, first time it gets stolen.
00:19:53Watch him.
00:19:54He's just watching the hands there of Reed Shepard and use that big body.
00:19:57I think a lot of people don't realize that James Harden is huge, man.
00:20:01He's got enormous upper bodies.
00:20:03Probably built more like an NFL tight end or linebacker, man.
00:20:07And he should just move guys out the way.
00:20:10Yeah, he's really strong.
00:20:11The Clippers have been starting 1 of 8 for the floor.
00:20:13Now 5 of 7.
00:20:15See where James is on the all-time scoring list.
00:20:17As I mentioned earlier, just past Cardinal Anthony.
00:20:19And that loss to the Timberwolves, they were up by 16.
00:20:23The Clippers were in the first quarter.
00:20:24Lost that lead and lost the game.
00:20:27Harden at 34 points.
00:20:30In that loss, six assists as well.
00:20:33Those were his first three tonight.
00:20:35He is the Rockets' all-time leader in points per game.
00:20:42Here's Thompson working on platoon.
00:20:44Comes through the paint.
00:20:45That pass deflected.
00:20:47And there's a three by Reed Shepard.
00:20:50So the fortuitous bounce right to Steven Adams,
00:20:53who had the ability to find the shooter to kick out.
00:20:56And the shot made to three for Shepard.
00:20:58It was, Craig.
00:20:59It would rather be good than fortunate.
00:21:00He's going to have to tighten up some of these passes.
00:21:03Harden misses.
00:21:05Rebound.
00:21:06Backed at by Batum.
00:21:07Same spot.
00:21:09Different result for James Harden.
00:21:10Got that one to go.
00:21:11And again, James probably shoots the toughest three-pointer you've ever seen
00:21:16because he'll lean into you.
00:21:17He'll fade.
00:21:18He'll draw back some contact.
00:21:20And you've got to be very careful how you contest his three.
00:21:23Durant working baseline.
00:21:25Draws two.
00:21:26Try to slip that into Thompson had it poked out about.
00:21:29You've got to be careful here.
00:21:30You see the energy mounting.
00:21:32And Batum brought some good defense and energy in.
00:21:35Look how long that group looks with Kawhi on the floor.
00:21:38And Batum, there's a lot of length.
00:21:40And they're going to bring in another pretty long player.
00:21:43Kobe Sanders coming in at 6'8".
00:21:45He's a rookie.
00:21:47He was born in Spring Valley, California.
00:21:50High school in San Diego.
00:21:53As Jabari shoots and misses.
00:21:55Thompson tapped it but knocked it out of bounds.
00:21:58It'll be a football.
00:22:00It felt like he was grabbed there from Batum.
00:22:03And we have a timeout.
00:22:07It's a two-point Rockets lead.
00:22:09Josh Okogie brought the energy to start.
00:22:12Good follow there.
00:22:14And the Rockets and Clippers will talk things over.
00:22:17All right, time for our breakthrough moment presented by MD Anderson.
00:22:21And Kevin Durant still getting it done.
00:22:25Age is just a number.
00:22:2733 games with at least 30 points and 5 or more assists
00:22:31since turning 35 to 4th most all-time.
00:22:37Yeah, correct.
00:22:37He has had a monster season.
00:22:40But what impresses me, and we talked about it earlier,
00:22:42was those assists.
00:22:43And look at these two on the list.
00:22:45James Harden's got 19 of them.
00:22:47But 30 and 5 assists at 35 years of age.
00:22:51A fountain of youth and the efficiency.
00:22:53And when I look at those two, it's the basketball IQ, man,
00:22:56and the work they put in.
00:22:57Durant averaging over 27, a game on 53% shooting
00:23:00over the last five as Zubats got loose for another dunk.
00:23:05James Harden with a second assist.
00:23:07The game is tied at 22.
00:23:08The Rockets rub 12-4.
00:23:12Shepard circling.
00:23:14Well, that's where you talk about those missed opportunities
00:23:17where Houston's gotten steals and got transitioned
00:23:19and turned it over.
00:23:20Skip pass.
00:23:21Thompson corner three.
00:23:23Around it out.
00:23:24Adams there for the rebound.
00:23:26The reset to Shepard.
00:23:27Took the quick release.
00:23:30Knocked out of bounds.
00:23:31Last touched by Zubats.
00:23:32Right, stay here.
00:23:32Yeah.
00:23:33Zubats were there, yeah.
00:23:33Zubats was the last to touch.
00:23:35So say the refs.
00:23:37And it's a tough act when you're boxing out Steven
00:23:39because do you box out or you go pursue?
00:23:42And Zubats went to pursue and ends up hitting it out.
00:23:45Into Adams.
00:23:48Thompson was thinking about getting it back,
00:23:50but he was covered.
00:23:51And the Shin Goon.
00:23:522-3.
00:23:532-3 looked here from the Clippers.
00:23:55And now the Dodgers pass.
00:23:57And then Thompson somehow was able to pick it back up.
00:23:59Got the shot off.
00:24:00Another offensive rebound.
00:24:02Here's Aaron Holiday.
00:24:02He's been great as of late.
00:24:05And he starts hot tonight with the three.
00:24:07And again, those are the highest percentage threes you can get.
00:24:11And Houston gets those opportunities when you get an offensive rebound.
00:24:14The defense isn't set.
00:24:15And it's an easy kick out from inside out.
00:24:17Last 11 games for Aaron Holiday coming into this one.
00:24:1912 points for game.
00:24:2043% from three.
00:24:22Hard and high off the glass.
00:24:23Too strong.
00:24:24Cleaned up by Zubats.
00:24:25And Holiday went over the top of his back and fouled him.
00:24:28Texans would be proud of that tackle right there, man.
00:24:34Aaron Holiday just went there and got dirty.
00:24:37D'Amico Ryans might be watching that one in film session.
00:24:40Rockets over the foul limit.
00:24:41Zubats at the line here.
00:24:43The Rockets and Adidas are excited to host two winter skills camps
00:24:47on December the 20th through the 21st.
00:24:49And then again on January the 3rd through the 4th.
00:24:51Today, just 10 through 16, will develop their basketball skills
00:24:54with highly trained coaches, receive exclusive Rockets camp gear,
00:24:57and get tickets to an upcoming home game.
00:24:59Registered kid right now at Rockets.com.
00:25:03First of his free throw of the night for the Clippers.
00:25:05Makes the second.
00:25:06They come in as the best free throw shooting team in the league,
00:25:12collectively, just under 84%.
00:25:15Something to keep note of as this thing goes along.
00:25:25They're able to fight over the top.
00:25:27He's so unique, man.
00:25:36I've never seen, I keep trying to give them comps,
00:25:39I've never seen a player like Alfred Shindoum just went in and out,
00:25:42threw the legs, and went by Batum, who's an elite perimeter defender.
00:25:46James Harden downhill.
00:25:47Oh, the kick, Bogdanovich's three is good.
00:25:51Bogdan Bogdanovich, he was terrific last year after being acquired by the Clippers from the Hawks.
00:25:56All of his stuff is, all the numbers, all of his playing time, way down this season.
00:25:59There's a Ben Thompson on a rim attack right at Zubats.
00:26:03Acrobatic finish there for Ben Thompson.
00:26:04He was leaning halfway out of bounds and reached back to throw the ball in the rim.
00:26:09Thompson did not play well against the Mavs.
00:26:11He started off very well tonight.
00:26:12Six points from him, two rebounds and assists on three of five from the floor.
00:26:16Harden to Batum.
00:26:17He'll look style, wide open.
00:26:19He cans it from the corner.
00:26:23Normally, you see this group play two-three zone.
00:26:25You get Steven, you get Reed on the floor.
00:26:28They're not hitting zone, so we'll see if he may chooses to do that in the possession or two.
00:26:33Clippers have made five of their last seven threes.
00:26:36They were 0 for 6 to start.
00:26:37Toss it to the loose handle.
00:26:38Right to James Harden, and it's Shengun from behind.
00:26:40Poked it right back.
00:26:45Shot clock is off.
00:26:46Closing seconds of the first.
00:26:48Got to get to the middle of the floor.
00:26:50And he can't.
00:26:51He tries, and then that gets poked away.
00:26:53Pretty good effort there by Batum to try to save it, but he can't three seconds on this rocket's possession.
00:26:58Yeah, he went right to the baseline, and what that does is it allows the defense to trap him.
00:27:02You lose your options.
00:27:03The sideline becomes a defender.
00:27:06Durant coming in for this final offensive possession.
00:27:08Brooke Lopez checking in.
00:27:11He's been his previous seven years with the Bucs before signing with the Clippers.
00:27:15So good next to Giannis, he was.
00:27:17Yeah, he was.
00:27:18Right now, you like to go direct to Al P.
00:27:22And look at the men.
00:27:23If they're going to hug, and men's the guy open, he can get a head start downhill.
00:27:26They are hugging him.
00:27:27Long cross court pass to Holiday.
00:27:29And the A at Toyotasin.
00:27:32That'll do it.
00:27:32It's Los Angeles.
00:27:4829.
00:27:49Aizen, and when Jabari has a good shooting game, a really good shooting game, things typically go well for him and the Rockets.
00:28:04You see team's records when players shoot 60% or better.
00:28:09The Rockets 15-1 when Jabari does that.
00:28:15Jabari did have 22 points in that loss in Dallas.
00:28:17He did play well.
00:28:19Has played well against the Clippers.
00:28:21Played well against them last year.
00:28:22As Shingun finds Holiday.
00:28:23The release of quarter three is good.
00:28:25So that's his second three since stepping in in just about three and a half minutes.
00:28:30That's a good sign.
00:28:31Talk about his skill set.
00:28:32Again, he's beating an elite defender in Nicholas Batum off the bounce.
00:28:37Clippers started water-based to the floor, then went 9-13.
00:28:41Stolen by Alper and Shingun.
00:28:45And then he dunks it down.
00:28:46Big fella, you had a little flashback there, didn't you?
00:28:48I know, I had a little flashback for James in town.
00:28:50We all miss James.
00:28:51But that's like the third time that the Clippers have been picked on those live ball turnovers
00:28:59leading to the easy buckets at the other end for the Rockets.
00:29:02Houston, just when it happens, you've got to take advantage.
00:29:05Good to see that there.
00:29:07There's a mismatch.
00:29:08Let's see what-
00:29:09No, Reed's got to take this.
00:29:10You've got Lopez on you.
00:29:12There you go.
00:29:13Gates shoots him 20.
00:29:14Missed the J, though.
00:29:15Poked by a man Johnson.
00:29:17And there's going to be a foul called on the Clippers.
00:29:20Looks like it could be Bogdanovich, I believe.
00:29:23Craig, watch this.
00:29:24Look like a guard.
00:29:26That's your forward.
00:29:27That's your center.
00:29:28Let's get some milk with those cookies.
00:29:29Flight 28.
00:29:31Clear for takeoff.
00:29:32And again, this is rare.
00:29:34This is something that guards do.
00:29:36Oh, nice little pass.
00:29:38Little pocket pass.
00:29:39Thompson to Capella.
00:29:41If that connection can be there, and we'd love for it to be a lob rather than a bounce pass,
00:29:47you're going to get some great action in the second unit.
00:29:50But Capella were the best at getting downhill, man.
00:29:52By the way, that was a great look of Shen Goon.
00:29:54It looked like a mountain lion hunting that ball there.
00:29:58He found its prey.
00:30:00He pounced and got the score as Leonard misses the layup.
00:30:05Aaron Holiday just hounding Kawhi.
00:30:07Here comes Reed Shepard of the paint.
00:30:09The runner short.
00:30:10Ball's there for the taking.
00:30:11He took it.
00:30:12Again, if you have more activity, this is an older Clippers group.
00:30:17Where's the double?
00:30:18Reed the double.
00:30:19And they've often played like it this season.
00:30:21Part of their problems this year.
00:30:23Shen Goon missed the hook.
00:30:23Capella, offensive rebound and putback.
00:30:26Timeout Los Angeles.
00:30:28And much like the start to the game, the Rockets have had a fantastic start to the second quarter.
00:30:35They've scored nine straight.
00:30:36Look at them.
00:30:37Like a mountain lion.
00:30:38Pouncing on its prey.
00:30:41Swallowed it up.
00:30:42Oh.
00:30:43They got the dunk at the other end.
00:30:48Good at practice.
00:30:49Definitely good to see.
00:30:50I spoke to Ime Udoka tonight before the game.
00:30:53He said Dorian got some five-on-five and live action.
00:30:57Ime said, so progress is being made.
00:30:59He said, whenever you're able to get in contact with work, that is a really good thing.
00:31:03Craig and Ryan, still not a definitive date.
00:31:05But Ime tells me the Rockets are hopeful it will be January for a return for Dorian Finney-Six.
00:31:10Well, we'll keep our fingers crossed.
00:31:12He would, once he gets back on the floor, this team will be so much better forward.
00:31:16Another 3-and-D guy.
00:31:18He's going to fit right in with the way that this team plays as Bogdanovich spots up and buries the three.
00:31:24Again, his numbers this year, career lows.
00:31:26But he's gotten off to a fantastic start in this one.
00:31:29His second three, he's got a half a dozen points on those two main threes.
00:31:32Can they call an offensive foul for Aaron Holiday?
00:31:34That's the third time we've just seen him be shoved.
00:31:38Shepard, no look into the corner.
00:31:40Rounded out for Amen.
00:31:41Thompson.
00:31:41Yeah, similar to Dunn, Ty Lue is just sagging off of Amen in those corners.
00:31:47Lopez, touch pass.
00:31:49Open, corner three, Kawhi Leonard.
00:31:51He misfires.
00:31:53Yeah, just too open and way too open.
00:31:55Yeah.
00:31:56But good ball move by the Clippers.
00:31:58Holiday trying to turn the corner.
00:31:59Can't on Dunn, who's their best perimeter defender.
00:32:01Now Bogdanovich all over Holliday.
00:32:07Over teammates there, Bogdanovich.
00:32:09Tell them when they were in Atlanta.
00:32:10Aaron Holliday from the corner.
00:32:13Dunn plays a similar role to Josh Akogi.
00:32:16Brings the energy in the defense.
00:32:18Kawhi Leonard into the lane, leads in, scores.
00:32:20Kawhi Leonard, that's it.
00:32:21He's made a living doing just that.
00:32:24He gets to his spots and he pulls up, man.
00:32:26The only thing that just helped with Kawhi.
00:32:28Yep, that's the only issue.
00:32:29No one questions his game.
00:32:32All-time great player, 10 points now.
00:32:37Dunn goes over the top of the pick.
00:32:39Shepard beats him.
00:32:40Missed the three.
00:32:41Rebound and ricochets to a men.
00:32:42Thompson finds Shingu.
00:32:43He'll drive into the lane.
00:32:45And it does not drop.
00:32:48But he did get fouled and he will get free throws.
00:32:52You see the growth from Al Peatman.
00:32:54He just crawled right into the body of Lopez on that drive.
00:32:57Splash Mountain.
00:32:58Brooke Lopez with the foul.
00:33:00He's 37 now.
00:33:02Again, the Clippers have some bets on this team.
00:33:04So, Offer and Shungun will get to it.
00:33:07We'll pause for a message from Reliant.
00:33:10Reliant.
00:33:13Official energy provider of the Houston Rockets.
00:33:17That just does roll over the front of the rim.
00:33:22Thompson and Shepard out.
00:33:24Smith and Akogi coming back in.
00:33:26Again, good to have Alfred Shungun back.
00:33:33He's on pace for a historic season.
00:33:37Nobody's ever averaged at least 23 points, nine rebounds, seven assists.
00:33:41A couple of stops for a game before.
00:33:44He's been so good.
00:33:45I don't think he was doing the good points Shungun this season.
00:33:49Well, we got him.
00:33:50He's averaging over seven assists.
00:33:52He's lost out of bounds.
00:33:53And Dunn was thinking about what he was going to do with it.
00:33:56Those blind catches are tough for anybody.
00:34:01Driving Durant coming in.
00:34:03Shungun getting a rest.
00:34:04I'm telling you, man.
00:34:05Houston is just a couple of momentum stops away from just pushing this thing out.
00:34:0910 or 15 points if they can keep forcing those turnovers.
00:34:14Rockets have submitted five.
00:34:15The Clippers now with six.
00:34:16Holiday threw that behind Capella.
00:34:19Not a great pass at all.
00:34:20Scooped up by Kawhi Leonard.
00:34:22You know, and ideally, you know, you want to hit Clint in the air.
00:34:27That's a tough shot.
00:34:29And tapped by Lopez into a fan in the front row.
00:34:32Smart there from Kevin.
00:34:34Instead of letting Kawhi get to his body, he just used those long arms and that wingspan to bother the shot.
00:34:40Well, a Hesse by Holiday gets done all over him.
00:34:50Now gets switched up on a Kawhi Leonard.
00:34:53Kevin Durant catches on two.
00:34:55Has done to flush it away.
00:34:56Durant got it back.
00:34:57Now to Holiday, he'll slither into the paint.
00:34:59He'll kick it to Okoge.
00:35:00He misses the three.
00:35:08Bogdanovich back again at Holiday.
00:35:10Touched shot off the glass.
00:35:11Felt the contact.
00:35:12Threw it up.
00:35:13And he'll get two free throws.
00:35:15Touched it back down.
00:35:17Aaron Holiday, even though he typically gives up a lot of size, but that time he got a call for a bit of a shove.
00:35:23And Bogdanovich now will go to the line.
00:35:24Bogdanovich on his first free throws tonight.
00:35:30Hey, college students, the Houston Rockets have exclusive ticket deals just for you.
00:35:34Sign up with your phone number and an EDU email to get tickets as low as $10 sent straight to your phone all season long.
00:35:43Go to Rockets.com slash college to sign up today, big fellow.
00:35:46Can I ask you a question?
00:35:48Yeah.
00:35:48So far tonight, we've been given cinnamon rolls.
00:35:53Someone just dropped by and handed us chocolates.
00:35:55What are they trying to do?
00:35:56Well, I'm not getting any down here.
00:35:59Oh, well, come hang with us in the booth.
00:36:02FYI.
00:36:04Yeah, you're on the floor.
00:36:05You're pretty much on the end of the bench down there.
00:36:08I feel neglected.
00:36:08Come hang with us.
00:36:09Yeah, but what are they saying?
00:36:12That I need to eat more sweets?
00:36:14I mean, I eat enough.
00:36:15I appreciate it.
00:36:16Thank you.
00:36:16Ryan, I also wanted to let you know that the video coordinator for the L.A. Clippers, who I'm good friends with, Dan Fitzpatrick, UCLA guy.
00:36:23Yes.
00:36:24And I imagine, does he have his EDU email active?
00:36:26Yes, he does.
00:36:27I don't know what he still does.
00:36:27Yes, he does.
00:36:29Did you ask?
00:36:29Was that question asked?
00:36:30It should have been.
00:36:31I did not ask.
00:36:31You missed an opportunity.
00:36:33Vanessa, we still want to know if Sam Houston used EDUs in emails when Craig was there.
00:36:39Were emails used?
00:36:40They had email, didn't they?
00:36:41They just started.
00:36:42No.
00:36:42They didn't even have the internet.
00:36:43The internet just started.
00:36:45Basically, emails came into play around the mid-90s.
00:36:47Yes.
00:36:48Yeah, Craig didn't have the internet.
00:36:50Oh, this is the foul line jumper.
00:36:52I didn't have him an email address until, like, my last two years in school.
00:36:56Yeah, nobody really knew what it was.
00:36:58I got to admit, I did not originally know what it was all about.
00:37:02Collins, to Dunn.
00:37:03He just missed his last one badly and made up for it.
00:37:06And again, Houston playing with fire here, you know, for the Clippers.
00:37:10They want to keep this thing in the half court.
00:37:12They want to grab and hold.
00:37:13And for Houston, use your speed.
00:37:16Get in transition.
00:37:18Force this group to have to move their feet.
00:37:20That's a 10-2 run for the Clippers.
00:37:22Rockets had to score the first nine of the quarter.
00:37:24So, the second quarter going in the same pattern that the first one did.
00:37:28Quick start for Houston.
00:37:29And then the Clippers right back at you.
00:37:31One-on-one Durant and Collins out high.
00:37:33He'll rise up to three.
00:37:35Short.
00:37:35Tap by Jabari.
00:37:36Picked up by Jabari.
00:37:38Brings it back out with the shot clock being reset to 14.
00:37:42He'll work on Lopez.
00:37:43He'll drive on him.
00:37:44There's the help.
00:37:44And a nice find.
00:37:45Lopez recovers.
00:37:46Blocks the shot of Capella.
00:37:48And then Capella has sworn at it.
00:37:49Knocked out of his hands.
00:37:50Kawhi Leonard with a heck of a play to save the ball.
00:37:53But he was out of bounds.
00:37:55Rockets will have it.
00:37:56Well, only six-tenths of a second remaining on this possession.
00:38:01May sound silly right now.
00:38:03You're checking Steven Adams in.
00:38:05And if the Clippers go zone, dive Steve-O in there like a fullback.
00:38:11And someone just knife off of him and throw it in for a tip-in.
00:38:14Line change here.
00:38:15Three and three out for Houston.
00:38:16Some changes for the Clippers as well.
00:38:18Again, just .6 on this possession.
00:38:20And then Thompson, the inbounder.
00:38:22Looking for Big Steve-O.
00:38:24Throws it out to Shingu.
00:38:25He got go to the rim.
00:38:27Yeah, I don't know why he would throw it out in the front of that situation.
00:38:30There's a lot of contact there.
00:38:32And Alpi feels like he was fouled.
00:38:34And he may have a case.
00:38:36He's asking for a challenge because he was pushed.
00:38:39And there's a technical foul called on Houston's bench.
00:38:43Technical foul has been assessed against Jeff Green.
00:38:46Oh, Jeff Green.
00:38:47Uncle Jeff.
00:38:49Bring in some fire.
00:38:50Jeff Green teed up from the Rockets bench.
00:38:52Wow.
00:38:53That's a thirst.
00:38:55What did Jeff say?
00:38:56I know it wasn't vulgar.
00:38:58I'm sure we could probably repeat it on the airwaves.
00:39:00I mean, Jeff.
00:39:02He must have said something.
00:39:03I don't believe that.
00:39:06I would be shocked if Jeff will earn that.
00:39:09Hey, ball don't lie.
00:39:10How about that?
00:39:11A missed free throw from that guy.
00:39:13Hard shooting a career best of the foul line this year.
00:39:16James is grabbing his arm.
00:39:18Dunn jumps into him.
00:39:19And Houston's saying, hey, Alpi's like, challenge this.
00:39:22Just right in front of the referees.
00:39:25Look at this.
00:39:27Yeah, that should be.
00:39:28It's a clear foul.
00:39:29Clippers ball after the Harden missed free throw.
00:39:35Wow, what did Jeff say?
00:39:36I don't know.
00:39:37Vanessa, you've got to fight out for us.
00:39:38Maybe he has seen the movie Bull Durham.
00:39:42Kawhi draws two.
00:39:43Into Zubac.
00:39:44The shot put is short.
00:39:48Vanessa should just walk to the bench.
00:39:50They're giving that access out nowadays.
00:39:52Yeah, sure that'll go over well.
00:39:53No, it happens.
00:39:54Durant to Shen Goon.
00:39:55Back to him up top.
00:39:56The three short.
00:39:58And a rebound right to Jabari Smith Jr. to Steven Adams.
00:40:01And that bounces down.
00:40:02So let's see.
00:40:03Kevin's two or three threes were off for him.
00:40:07Let's see if he starts driving the ball a little more.
00:40:09Such a refined scorer.
00:40:13Rockets five of 18.
00:40:14Three of the clips of 719.
00:40:16Far behind the back to Dunn.
00:40:18Dunn's getting a lot of shots.
00:40:19Orton makes another one.
00:40:21That's his second three.
00:40:22He's two of five from beyond the three-point line.
00:40:25That's by design.
00:40:26They will put Al P on Dunn and say, you know, at least it's not James or Kawhi shooting.
00:40:34Shen Goon in space working on Collins.
00:40:37Pulls down.
00:40:38And they're going to call Collins for the block, even though Shen Goon was the one that was out of control.
00:40:43And here's the thing, the Clipper, that's why one of my big notes, don't look at their record.
00:40:49Look at the roster.
00:40:50And reason being, man, this is a stacked team.
00:40:53They've got a pretty big lineup out there.
00:40:55You've got Collins.
00:40:56You've got Kawhi.
00:40:57You've got big Zubach.
00:40:58Look at Ty Lue, former Rocket, albeit briefly, but was a former Rocket.
00:41:0621 games and three starts for him back during the 0-4-0-5 season.
00:41:11Played for Jeff Van Dundee.
00:41:12He's now an assistant for him on the Clipper staff.
00:41:15Shen Goon.
00:41:17The Adams.
00:41:18And another block this time for Zubach.
00:41:21And it was out of bounds last touch by L.A.
00:41:23Even though they claim Houston was the last to touch, they're going to give the ball to the Rockets.
00:41:26And let's look at Jeff Van Gundy.
00:41:29He was fired up before this game.
00:41:31I tell you, man.
00:41:31You can see it in his walk.
00:41:32They're going to get the ball back to the Clippers.
00:41:34He's always fired up.
00:41:35No, no, no.
00:41:36He was very fired up.
00:41:37You could see it in his walk.
00:41:39He had some pep in his step.
00:41:41A Houstonian, Jeff Van Gundy, spent four years as the Rockets head coach.
00:41:47Again, Harden draws two behind the back to Dunn.
00:41:50And tried to throw a pass into Zubach and turned it over and then over the shoulder.
00:41:55And there we go to Jabari Smith Jr. for the slam.
00:41:58How about the patience there from Al P?
00:42:01Because Jabari was coming out of the corner of his left eye.
00:42:04I thought he was going to go back to KD there.
00:42:07Second assist for Shen Goon.
00:42:08That's seven points.
00:42:09Jabari and then he also just picked up his first foul.
00:42:12Got a little too physical with Kawhi Leonard.
00:42:15Check out the Verizon Orbit cam.
00:42:17So, watch this break here.
00:42:20Look, Jabari's late.
00:42:22He doesn't see him.
00:42:23And he baits it because Al P is looking to his right side.
00:42:26Then comes over his shoulder.
00:42:28And Jabari just throws it down.
00:42:30And good to see him get another point here.
00:42:33Rockets plus eight fast break point so far in this third half.
00:42:36Kawhi.
00:42:38Good job there, Jabari.
00:42:39Putting those hands high so he didn't get called for a foul on that possession.
00:42:42Oh, Shen Goon trying to get the call.
00:42:45He did.
00:42:47He did.
00:42:48He's a point guard, man.
00:42:49You know what's funny?
00:42:50I asked him about his new role on the perimeter.
00:42:54And he said when he grew up and he was younger, he played point guard.
00:42:58He brought the ball up court.
00:43:00So, I guess he said, I'm accustomed to doing a lot of things that I'm doing in the game.
00:43:04And, you know, I believe him.
00:43:06But the second on Collins, he kind of tore a page out of James Harden's playbook.
00:43:10Yeah, they called it too.
00:43:12Didn't give him free throws, but they called the foul.
00:43:16Durant to Thompson.
00:43:18There's a mismatch.
00:43:19Yeah, look at them loading up.
00:43:20They're going boxes and elbows.
00:43:21That's something Ty worked on.
00:43:24Jabari out to Thompson.
00:43:26This is the three.
00:43:27Rebound right to Smith.
00:43:29And then wrestles ultimately with Dunn.
00:43:30And they're going to call Dunn for the foul.
00:43:34Hopefully those two have squashed their little bad blood.
00:43:37They had a bit of a run before.
00:43:39Oh, yeah.
00:43:40Yeah, Jabari.
00:43:42But how about Jabari, man?
00:43:44Hitting the glass.
00:43:45Getting some late rebounds.
00:43:47Yep.
00:43:48He's kind of been in the right place at the right time.
00:43:50Clippers now over the foul limit with 3.06 to play in the first half.
00:43:55So, Jabari towing the line for the first time in this game.
00:43:59Makes the free throw.
00:44:04And now this word from Jack in the Box.
00:44:06With my $6 jackpot, you can choose between a great deal and a great deal.
00:44:10Whip, whoop, whoop, whoop, whoop.
00:44:11Welcome to Jack in the Box.
00:44:12Jabari averaged 15-9 last year against the Clippers.
00:44:18Made eight of his 17 threes.
00:44:19He's got eight and counting in this one.
00:44:22Four rebounds, a couple of assists.
00:44:26Makes that second free throw.
00:44:29Jabari has also picked up a steal in this game.
00:44:32And I'm telling you, a steal is already for Alphard Shingun.
00:44:35The strength that Jabari's added, man, you just see it paying off, man, night and day.
00:44:39A lot of these over-the-shoulder passing from James Harden this first half.
00:44:44Dunn, though, misses.
00:44:45James Harden is still in engine, still getting it done.
00:44:51And so, too, is Alphard Shingun.
00:44:53He is so unique.
00:44:54I can't tell you how tough that little floater, push floater was.
00:44:58He shooted it outside of the key, man.
00:45:00Ten points for Shingun.
00:45:02Four and six for the floor.
00:45:03Harden leads in.
00:45:05It's something that Houston does great.
00:45:07That shot goes in, but there's a late contest always.
00:45:10Houston's guards do an unbelievable job of chasing late through those screens.
00:45:16We've got Harden hugging KD there, two former teammates.
00:45:20KD wants this one.
00:45:25Durant finds Smith, passes up the three.
00:45:28Leonard turns him back.
00:45:29Really good help defense, and ultimately it forces that turnover
00:45:33as Jabari lost it out of bounds.
00:45:36So we're going to step aside.
00:45:372-0-3 to play in the second quarter.
00:45:39Rockets leading the Clippers by three.
00:45:41And as we head to break, let's check in now with Julian Morales
00:45:43who's hanging out in the rooms to go lounge.
00:45:45Thanks, Craig, and welcome inside the rooms to go lounge.
00:45:49Rockets fans, you can now stream Rockets games directly with SCHN Plus.
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00:46:15Don't go away.
00:46:15More Rockets and Clippers right after this.
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00:46:36Both the Rockets and Clippers with some time off between games.
00:46:44Last played on Saturday night.
00:46:45Both losing on the second night of a back-to-back.
00:46:48Rockets 48, Clippers 45.
00:46:50Rockets have been really good under Imi Adoka
00:46:51with more than one day of rest.
00:46:57Good to have Alper and Shindun back.
00:46:59A couple of games due to an illness.
00:47:02Rockets' biggest lead has been nine.
00:47:07They scored the first nine points of this quarter.
00:47:09And he tried to go Zubats to Leonard on the lob.
00:47:11Coming out of the timeout.
00:47:13Kawhi didn't get there because he got fouled.
00:47:16Really a bit of a late attempt.
00:47:18I thought that was, you know,
00:47:20you just float the ball in the air.
00:47:21Anybody can go at it.
00:47:23Shindun called for a second.
00:47:25And Kawhi will go to the line.
00:47:27Of course, he's a tremendous free-throw shooter.
00:47:30Always has been.
00:47:31Now, coming up on the Toyota Halftime Report
00:47:33with Vanessa Richardson and Calvin Murphy.
00:47:37Al P. filling up this first-half box score.
00:47:40They'll also talk about Jabari Smith Jr.'s play
00:47:42at both ends of the floor.
00:47:43So, Vanessa now and Vanessa then
00:47:46and then more Vanessa later.
00:47:50I think that's what the people are, Craig.
00:47:51That's what I've heard.
00:47:55Kawhi 97% of the line.
00:47:57Best in the lead.
00:47:5997%.
00:48:00He's 2 for 2.
00:48:01He's a machine.
00:48:02That's also a career high.
00:48:0586 for his career, which is tremendous.
00:48:0997 this season.
00:48:10Wow.
00:48:10Clippers, the Clippers are, it's just unique, Craig.
00:48:14They are really helping off of the wings and the elbows on drives.
00:48:19And they're frustrating KD.
00:48:20Whenever he has the ball, they're like, they're just showing help.
00:48:23And then they're committing to it.
00:48:24And that's Ty Lue.
00:48:25Well, that time, that help resulted in a foul by Dunn on Shingun.
00:48:32I got a chance to talk with Ty before the game.
00:48:35One of you guys?
00:48:36No, he's my guy.
00:48:37I worked with him.
00:48:38Okay.
00:48:38We used to play pick-up ball together, man.
00:48:41And I worked with him in L.A. with the Clippers and in Boston the year prior, man.
00:48:46But he's a player's coach, man.
00:48:47He's got a unique ability because he played with the greats, as Vanessa talked about earlier,
00:48:51to speak to those guys and speak in a player's language.
00:48:5610th season ahead, coach.
00:48:57Sixth with the Clippers.
00:48:58Fastest coach in Cavs history.
00:49:00200 wins.
00:49:01We have not mentioned that Chris Paul is no longer part of the active roster with the Clippers.
00:49:07The situation went south as they brought back the best Clipper ever.
00:49:11All due respect, Ryan, if you're not, it's Chris Paul.
00:49:14And they'll talk to Zubats.
00:49:15And that time he had a mouse in the house defending him and was able to dunk it down.
00:49:19He was tied at 49.
00:49:20But, yeah, they brought Chris Paul back, best player in franchise history, and has not ended well.
00:49:26But this looks like they're going to try to find a new home for him as Durant misses.
00:49:30Former Rocket, of course, Chris Paul, future Hall of Famer.
00:49:33One of the best of all time.
00:49:35Spinning Zubats.
00:49:37Shigun trying to draw the foul.
00:49:39There was no whistle.
00:49:40And so back-to-back scores at the cup for Zubats.
00:49:43Zubats having his way inside.
00:49:45You're going to have to stand in there and make him score over you.
00:49:48Not that he can't, but Oza looks way too easy when you give him an angle.
00:49:53Kevin Durant in the lane.
00:49:54He had it stripped away and stolen.
00:49:56I'm telling you, when he drives, that's not half-help.
00:50:00That's full-help coming, which means they're not just stunting in recovery.
00:50:04Zubats.
00:50:05Pushed down real hard by Avan Thompson.
00:50:10When you get the double team, you've got to close the double up.
00:50:14And Houston halfway committed.
00:50:16You've got to go, and you've got to be bodying up with those hands high.
00:50:21So the Clippers, with their first lead of the game, Zubats back to the line.
00:50:26He's up, done all the damage recently.
00:50:28A 9-1 run for the Clippers.
00:50:29Now Houston, all Rockets games are on sale right now.
00:50:32You get to lock in your seats for the biggest matchup of the season.
00:50:34Don't miss your chance to be in the building.
00:50:36Get your tickets right now at Rockets.com.
00:50:40Again, Zubats has had a heck of a run in his time with the Clippers the last couple of seasons.
00:50:47Yeah, I'm going to need him to miss a few more shots.
00:50:49Hey, you know what?
00:50:49Look, here it is.
00:50:51A couple of years ago, remember, Zubats was, like, in your rearview mirror as the all-time leader.
00:50:57Two-shooting percentage leader in Clippers franchise history.
00:51:00Remember, he was only, like, several hundredths of a point behind you.
00:51:03Now he's dropped off, Ryan.
00:51:05That's huge.
00:51:06Big fella, I've got one thing that allows people to remember me.
00:51:09World War II, as Al-P gets that to go, my name is on the court, okay, in Dallas, right?
00:51:16That's cool.
00:51:17They put everybody's name.
00:51:17You did kind of make some big free throws.
00:51:19Put this record here.
00:51:22This record.
00:51:22All-time.
00:51:23Clippers is all-time leader.
00:51:25All-time leader.
00:51:25True shooting percentage.
00:51:27But you've got a healthy lead over him now, in Donaldson.
00:51:30Whenever you mention anything I've played in, you're talking about the worst situations I've been in, Craig.
00:51:36Harden on the move.
00:51:37There's the help by Shingu.
00:51:38There is Zubats.
00:51:41Zubats has dominated the last 90 seconds with thereabouts of the Clippers.
00:51:45Final second to the half.
00:51:46Shingu from midcourt.
00:51:49And the Clippers will take with them into the locker room at the break.
00:51:52A three-point lead, 54-51.
00:51:57Zubats, the leading scorer in this game now, with 14.
00:52:01Jabari's got nine points and five rebounds.
00:52:04Shingu has 13.
00:52:05And right now, Royal Ivy is standing by with Vanessa Richardson.
00:52:08Thanks, Craig.
00:52:10Coach, it's been a game of runs.
00:52:11The Rockets had a 9-0 run at one point.
00:52:12What's the key to getting some offensive rhythm going?
00:52:15I mean, our defense is good.
00:52:16It's our offense.
00:52:17It's our spacing.
00:52:18We've got to have more synergy moving the ball and being more attentive with what we want to do on the offensive end.
00:52:24If we take care of the offense, we'll be fine.
00:52:26What's the key to continuing to keep Leonard and Harden relatively quiet?
00:52:30We're playing good defense.
00:52:31We've got to play faster on the other end, more pace.
00:52:33We're playing too slow.
00:52:34They're getting back, and they're loaded up on us, and they're scheming against us.
00:52:37So we've got to play with more pace, more force.
00:52:40Thank you, Coach.
00:52:41Thank you.
00:52:41Craig Ackerman.
00:52:42All right, thank you very much, Vanessa.
00:52:44Yes, halfway home here in Houston.
00:52:46Both teams back at it after a lengthy layoff.
00:52:49Zubac with seven in the second quarter, many of them coming late against Shingun.
00:52:54Houston's leading scorer, the steal and dunk, and the Rockets trailing by three at halftime.
00:52:59Stay tuned.
00:53:00Vanessa and Calvin in the halftime show.
00:53:02That's coming up next.
00:53:05A couple of games due to an illness.
00:53:06Great to have Alper Shigun back tonight against the Clippers.
00:53:09He's the subject of our Do Not Settle segment here, presented by novel law group, Ryan,
00:53:14and Alper Shigun in his return to the lineup.
00:53:1615 points, 5 of 7 shooting, 7 rebounds, 3 steals in Alper's half.
00:53:22He's been red hot in the first half, and I like that he's gotten into the lane.
00:53:26He's been patient when he helps.
00:53:29He kips.
00:53:30You see him playing some defense there for the ball ball, just getting to his spots and scoring, man.
00:53:35He was severely missed at the time that he was off.
00:53:38All right, welcome back.
00:53:39All right, inside of Toyota Center, everybody, Craig Ackerman and Ryan Hollins with you.
00:53:42Rockets held the lead for, what, like 95-plus percent of that first half?
00:53:47Late surge by the Clippers and Zubats.
00:53:49Now the Rockets trail by three at halftime.
00:53:51What do they need to do differently in this second half?
00:53:53So right now, they've got to attack the wing help.
00:53:55So whenever Kevin's driving on the wing, the man is running off and helping.
00:54:00So those corners, the top of the key threes are going to be there.
00:54:03So you've got to almost drive and get off the ball, and those looks will be there.
00:54:06And they're just leaving him in wide open in the corner.
00:54:08So maybe cut him through a little earlier, keep him underneath the defense, or he's just got to knock down some shots.
00:54:14All right, your first half of the lead is there.
00:54:15Basketball Basics presented by Lone Star College.
00:54:18That's good stuff from Jabari Smith, Jr., as well.
00:54:22Yeah, really like Jabari's activity.
00:54:25Again, there's the double on KD.
00:54:27And KD just one of seven, three points in the half.
00:54:30And Shagun starts it off, a little lefty flip.
00:54:33He's so skilled, man.
00:54:35He just threw that in from his hip.
00:54:38I'm telling you, what you see from Al Pee is rare.
00:54:42That is not something you see in the NBA.
00:54:44So far, it's been some pretty good play from both Zubats and Shagun in this one.
00:54:51The world, the kick done to Kawhi Leonard, and he hits the corner three.
00:54:55That's his third main three of the game.
00:54:57He's got 15 points.
00:54:59And that's a huge difference, man.
00:55:01Houston shooting, what, 26% from three?
00:55:04Yep, they are struggling, and they're 10 of 23.
00:55:07Remember, the Clippers started off 0 for 6 from three, so they've been really hot ever since.
00:55:11Shagun, jab stepping on Zubats.
00:55:16These two teams like to ISO and post up a lot.
00:55:18There's the Flamingo, and Zubats was all over him.
00:55:20And the rebound tapped by Thompson, picked up by Okoge.
00:55:23It'll be nice to see if Kevin Durant can get on court in this third quarter.
00:55:26Instead, he gets stripped.
00:55:28The pass ahead to Collins, and he races to the rim.
00:55:30Got fouled by Okoge.
00:55:32That will count.
00:55:33A bonus free throw to come for Collins.
00:55:35The Clippers extend their biggest lead of the game.
00:55:38If you can't wrap him up there, you've got to let him go, because that's the worst-case scenario.
00:55:42You give up a three-point play.
00:55:45And again, look at that on Durant.
00:55:47That's full help.
00:55:48It's late, but they ain't leaving, I'll tell you that much.
00:55:51And again, either wrap him all the way up or let him go in that situation.
00:55:56Okoge with three.
00:55:57Collins at the line.
00:55:59So they lead the NBA, 9 of 12 tonight, so they're below what they normally shoot.
00:56:06Collins 79% for his career, that's what he's shooting this year.
00:56:10And he ends up completing the three-point play.
00:56:13Third stop for him in the NBA, Atlanta-Utah, and now the Clippers.
00:56:19Is that a good career?
00:56:22You know, I want you to watch the job.
00:56:23Look at that, there you go.
00:56:25That's the play.
00:56:25Yeah, nice tic-tac-toe passing, but unfortunately a miss.
00:56:28Yeah, but the man is just running off, whoever's on the wing that's closest to Durant.
00:56:33And Royal Ivy said the Rockets need to play quicker in the second half when he talked to Vanessa Richardson.
00:56:40And Zubats, does he get turned over?
00:56:42He does not.
00:56:43Rockets still harassing him, and eventually they knock the ball out of bounds.
00:56:46The Clippers have it, but they only have five seconds to work with.
00:56:49I always wondered, how's that not a travel?
00:56:51He just pulled a whole 360-ers.
00:56:53Craig, you'd say 180 on the floor there.
00:56:56And he's spinning like a top.
00:56:59Is that not a travel?
00:57:01When you're on the floor, are you allowed to roll?
00:57:03Is that in the rule book?
00:57:07I think a belly roll is already.
00:57:09Oh, we've got a technical foul.
00:57:11Let's match it up.
00:57:12I think that's Lopez.
00:57:13Wow.
00:57:14So, no.
00:57:16I think it was on Lopez.
00:57:18Or the Rook.
00:57:19Yeah, Brooke Lopez.
00:57:24So, you've got a couple of veterans who have been in the league a long time.
00:57:28In Jeff Green and Brooke Lopez, who have both been teed up from their team's respective benches in this game.
00:57:36Vanessa, we need you to walk over to the bench and find out what Jeff said.
00:57:39And listen, that access is going around this season.
00:57:42Somebody told me.
00:57:43That's the Peacock NBC access.
00:57:44Somebody told me that access is out there.
00:57:47So, I'm just saying.
00:57:48So, you see those two guys right there?
00:57:50From the benches.
00:57:51From the benches.
00:57:52One tee on each.
00:57:54I mean, that's just not typical to happen once during a game.
00:57:56Look at Logan's 20.
00:57:57Exactly.
00:57:59Like, I don't know if I've ever seen anything like that.
00:58:01Look at him, Kogi.
00:58:02All over Harden.
00:58:02You remember, Kogi's sort of initial first terrific moment in the league as Durant fires and hits the three to go.
00:58:09His second, made three, his second field goal in the game was when Josh Kogi was with Minnesota.
00:58:15And there was one game against Harden where he did a great job defending James.
00:58:20He just folded like a log chair on that contestant.
00:58:23He ended up working out and Kogi just big-handed that layup.
00:58:26Yeah, but over the top.
00:58:27Very smooth as always for Kogi Leonard.
00:58:30Again, it's not the talent with Kogi.
00:58:32It's the lack of availability that's been his biggest issue.
00:58:36Poked it away from Shikgu.
00:58:39Gets it back from Zubats and then throws the lob to Collins.
00:58:42What a play that was by Kogi Leonard.
00:58:45I've never seen a one-hand push lob.
00:58:47Only Kogi with those mitts.
00:58:49He threw that thing on the money.
00:58:52Shikgu throws it up to him at Thompson.
00:58:55Speaking of on the money.
00:58:57But this speed is going to benefit Houston, so let's have this game get some energy to it.
00:59:04Again, that's what Royall mentioned to Vanessa said their defense was good enough.
00:59:08Zubats working on Jabari to kick out.
00:59:13Late closeout, and Durant couldn't keep himself from his momentum carrying himself into Collins and just picked up the foul.
00:59:23Look at this action.
00:59:25One of Houston's best action.
00:59:2635 action.
00:59:26Throw it upstairs.
00:59:28And I'm in Thompson with the throwdown.
00:59:30He's so good for the Academy of Sports.
00:59:31An outdoor Super Bowl replay playing underneath the defense, man.
00:59:35So Durant's first.
00:59:41Not his biggest lead has been nine.
00:59:43The Clippers' biggest lead has been seven.
00:59:44That pass ends up going out of bounds.
00:59:48Harden threw it in the middle of the paint, but Zubats had not relocated from that block yet on that one side of the floor.
00:59:55Small note there, but Jabari got to a front, a three-quarter.
00:59:58He got those feet active.
00:59:59Again.
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