The big picture

Houston Rockets come in 7th on the ladder; LA Clippers are 26th. Houston Rockets have the higher position to protect.

Houston Rockets are 7–2 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 117.9 points for and 107.6 against.

LA Clippers are 1–7 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 109.1 points for and 115.6 against.

Form

Houston Rockets have won three of their last five and most recently lost to Minnesota Timberwolves 107–117.

LA Clippers have won zero of their last five and most recently lost to Miami Heat 116–117.

LA Clippers have lost their last six.

Head to head

These sides have met 97 times on our records since 2001: Houston Rockets 49, LA Clippers 48.

Last time out (2025-26), LA Clippers won 105–102 at Toyota Center (Houston).

Biggest margin between these two: LA Clippers by 33 points in 2014-15 (128–95).

Players to watch

For Houston Rockets, watch Alperen Sengun (22.4 points a game, 64 rebounds in 2026-27) and Kevin Durant (20.8 points a game, 47 rebounds in 2026-27).

For LA Clippers, watch Darius Garland (20.9 points a game, 13 rebounds in 2026-27) and Rui Hachimura (14.7 points a game, 39 rebounds in 2026-27).

At Toyota Center (Houston)

Houston Rockets have won 15 of their last 22 at Toyota Center (Houston).

The deeper numbers

Houston Rockets are NBA's best second-quarter side in 2026-27: +8.4 points a game in second quarters.

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, Houston Rockets go in as clear favourites.