The Houston Rockets are coming together as expected, and they hope to further the struggles of the LA Clippers’ tumultuous 2025-26 campaign.

Catch the game tomorrow, December 12th, at 9:00 AM, Manila time.

HOME: LA Clippers (6-18, 3-11 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • James Harden
  • Kris Dunn
  • Kawhi Leonard
  • John Collins
  • Ivica Zubac

The Clippers continue to search for answers as their rough stretch drags on. After a promising 3-2 start, they’ve dropped 15 of their last 18 games, a slide that reflects deeper issues beyond individual performances. It’s not that the stars aren’t producing, far from it. James Harden, even at 36, is delivering an elite stat line of 26.8 points and 8.3 assists per game. Kawhi Leonard remains a two-way force with 25.4 points and 1.9 steals, while Ivica Zubac is nearly automatic with his 15.9-point, 11.6-rebound double-double nights.

Still, those numbers aren’t translating to wins, which highlights the team’s inconsistencies in support play and overall cohesion. The Clippers sit just 21st in offensive rating and 25th in defensive rating, rankings that signal a team struggling on both ends. They aren’t moving the ball with enough rhythm, and the defensive breakdowns are happening far too often to survive in the West.

There is, however, potential for surprise contributions. John Collins, Derrick Jones Jr., Kris Dunn, and Bogdan Bogdanović each have the capability to swing a game if they catch fire or inject needed energy. For the Clippers to snap out of this slump, they’ll need exactly that – reliable help outside the big three and steadier effort across 48 minutes.

HOME: Houston Rockets (15-6, 7-2 HOME)

Projected starting five:

  • Amen Thompson
  • Kevin Durant
  • Jabari Smith Jr.
  • Alperen Sengun
  • Steven Adams

The Rockets enter this matchup looking to bounce back from a 125–109 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, but the overall picture remains bright. This has been one of their most encouraging seasons in recent memory, driven by the continued rise of Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, as well as the massive boost provided by Kevin Durant’s arrival. That trio has shown increasingly strong chemistry, blending playmaking, shot creation, and off-ball versatility in a way that gives Houston a dangerous, multi-layered offense and defense.

Sengun continues to operate as one of the best young bigs in the league – an interior hub with touch, vision, and improving defense. Thompson brings pace, rim pressure, and disruptive athleticism, while Durant’s scoring gravity has made life easier for everyone around him. The supporting cast is also stepping up. Jabari Smith Jr. is coming into his own as a shooter and defender, second-year guard Reed Sheppard provides guard play with flashes of scoring punch, and veteran Steven Adams gives the frontcourt the physicality and leadership it needs.

Statistically, the Rockets back up their promise: they rank third in scoring and fourth in points allowed, a rare combination that showcases their balance. If they maintain that two-way sharpness, Houston is positioned to handle business at home once again.

PICKS

Spread: Clippers (+9)
Over/Under: Over (220)