After dropping consecutive games for the first time this season, the Houston Rockets will conclude their three-game California visit with a matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday in Inglewood, Calif.
The Rockets had won 10 of 12 games before falling to the Sacramento Kings 120-111 on Tuesday. They then scored their fewest points of the season in a 99-93 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.
It’s been a tough trip for Houston, and not just because of the losses. Coach Ime Udoka and center Alperen Sengun were each fined after being ejected in the loss to Sacramento. Tari Eason also received a fine following an interaction with a fan in the same game.
Thursday’s loss came despite the Warriors missing Stephen Curry and Draymond Green due to injuries. Houston shot just 37.6 percent from the floor.
Sengun led the Rockets with 16 points and eight rebounds against the Warriors, while Dillon Brooks added 15 points, and Jalen Green and Amen Thompson each scored 14 points.
Green leads Houston with 19.0 points per game, while Sengun contributes 18.9 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.
Sunday’s game offers the Rockets one last chance to regroup before hosting the Warriors in an NBA Cup quarterfinal game on Wednesday.
The Clippers have been idle since their nine-game home winning streak ended with a 108-80 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
Kawhi Leonard (knee) remains out indefinitely for Los Angeles, while leading scorer Norman Powell was rested on Wednesday in the second game of a back-to-back after recently returning from a hamstring injury.
The Clippers were also without Terance Mann, who missed his first game with a broken finger, and Kevin Porter, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. Bones Hyland, in just his ninth game of the season, led Los Angeles with season highs in points (18) and minutes (23).
James Harden had a rough night, going 1 of 10 from the floor and 1 of 6 from 3-point range, scoring a season-low five points. He is averaging 21.6 points per game this season.
The Clippers and Rockets faced each other in consecutive games in mid-November, with Houston winning 111-103 and 125-104. Green led the Rockets with 21 points in the first game, while Jabari Smith Jr. rebounded from a five-point outing to score a season-high 28 points with 11 rebounds in the second game.
Eason could miss his second consecutive game for the Rockets on Sunday while in concussion protocol.
