The Houston Rockets are on a four-game winning streak

The 7-3 Rockets are winners in their last four, with James Harden averaging stat-stuffing numbers of 40.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 9.3 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks in that span. In the 122-116 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday, he shot a season-high 52%.

Russell Westbrook taking a step back from his heavy workload on ball-handling has proved to be beneficial as well, particularly in his last two outings, where he’s scoring 26 points on 51.2%-shooting.

Defense in the offensively-focused Rockets has also been turned up a notch in the current streak, as their opponents have only shot 40.7% over the last four games.

Though confidence is brewing inside and out the team, the guys should know that the LA Clippers will be their toughest test since the season-opening loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, a game where they blew a big second-half lead and gave up 39 points in the fourth quarter.

Clint Capela will be the X-Factor

As always, one of the “other guys” will be an underrated component to secure a win, and it is Capela in match-ups like these. He is bound to get open looks as the Clippers try to trap and hound Harden and Westbrook, and given his presence on the paint, he should be able to exploit the moments wherein defensive rotations break down.

Capela is averaging 14 points, 17.3 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game in his last four games.

Kawhi could be extra aggressive

The Clippers enter having won their last two games, with the most recent coming against Kawhi Leonard’s former team, the defending champions Toronto Raptors. They were able to capitalize on the Raps playing on the second night of a back-to-back and captured a hard-fought, 98-88 victory.

Kawhi had a terrible night shooting the ball (2-for-11), but flirted with a triple-double by tallying 12 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. We should see the two-time Finals MVP be eager to make up for his dud shooting, so expect the team to feed him the ball early.

PREDICTION:

The Clippers win an entertaining battle.

Regardless of how well or awful Kawhi and Harden start off, though, as long as the game is within reach, we ought to keep our eyes glued to the TV come fourth quarter. The two are number one and two in fourth quarter scoring this season at 12.3 PPG and 11 PPG, respectively.