INGLEWOOD, Calif. - - — The Clippers closeout the shorthanded Houston Rockets to win their final home game of the regular season 134-117 on Wednesday night. Los Angeles move to 48-32 and are in a wire-to-wire battle with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies for fourth place in the Western Conference, which would give them home court advantage in the first round. They get the day off before heading to Sacramento to face the Kings on Friday night.
Here are some takeaways from the Clippers win over the Rockets:
Batum catches fire early, exits game with injury
Nicolas Batum has been a consistent presence for the Clipper and got it going early on Wednesday night.
Batum scored 15 points in the crucial win shooting 5-6 from the field including 4-5 from 3.
He was a lights out and key to Los Angeles jumping out to a lead in the second quarter. Batum scored the Clippers' first 12 of the second quarter.
Then his night was abruptly ended by a right groin injury that he was really upset from. Coach Tyronn Lue didn’t have any updates after the game but he is hopeful the veteran out of France is ready for the playoff run.
Batum is an important piece to help the bench be successful going forward. Hopefully he will be good to go for the playoffs.
Clips protecting the Dome
Just imagine the Clippers started their home slate this season with an 0-4 record.
Star guard James Harden joked that maybe the arena should be rebuilt and owners Steve Balmer agreed.
The Clippers tuned their sorrow into one of the best home court advantages in the NBA.
Since their early struggles, Los Angeles is 30-7 at home as they look to possibly secure the fourth seed which would give them home court advantage in round one.
The offense is a much different unit when playing at home scoring 114.8 points a game and Wednesday’s win they showed it.
The team shot 53.3% from the field and 51.4% from 3 showing their comfortability when playing at home.
The Clippers will be tough in the playoffs if they can carry over their success at home to the postseason.
Triple double for Zubac, Harden goes for 35
Two of the most consistent players for the Clippers this season has been Ivica Zubac and James Harden.
They didn’t let down Clipper Nation as they both dominated in their final home game of the regular season.
Ivica Zubac FINALLY picked up his first ever triple-double in the win late after finding Bogdan Bogdanovic for a late three in the fourth quarter. Zubac finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. His improved playmaking ability has truly unlocked another element to the Clippers offense.
Harden wants to be outdone as he had a very efficient 35 points adding 10 assists. He made all 10 of his free throws on his way to his game-high 35 points.
Both players will be key for the Clippers the rest of the way if they are looking to truly make some noise.