Houston Rockets Game 28 of 2015-16 vs Los Angeles Clippers

Houston Rockets Game 28 of 2015-16 found H-Town playing the Los Angeles Clippers.

Continuing SCS series of all 82 games from last season next up is the Houston Rockets Game 28 of 2015-16 versus the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Houston Rockets added draft picks and signed free agents to improve upon an especially mediocre 41-41 campaign. Big man Dwight Howard left for Atlanta while free agents Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Nene Hilario and Pablo Prigioni joined Houston in free agency.

Hopes are these additions and the growth of existing assets will translate into a season similar to 2014-15. While fans wait for opening night on October 26th versus the Lakers hopefully this series will appease your cravings.

To that end, this series showcases the Rockets 82 games noting the pregame analysis, post game grades, and relevant video. Furthermore, SCS will highlight significant changes made by their opponents this summer. So, here it is – – enjoy all 82 posts as SCS takes you back over the 2015-16 season.

Game 28 – Los Angeles Clippers

Pregame Analysis:

Coming off a loss the Clippers arrived at the site of where their post season ended the previous summer and with the memory of the May 14th comeback at Staples that forced the game 7 in Houston still firmly entrenched in their memory.

The pregame analysis noted the differences between this game versus the initial meeting November 7th:

Chris Paul was set to suit up and play
Donatas Motiejunas was back and healthy
Kevin McHale was gone from behind the Rockets bench

Post Game Analysis:

Andre Cantalogo noted in the post game 3 things we saw article this was arguably the best game played by the Rockets all season.

It became clear early the Rockets were the more rested team as they jumped out to a 38-17 first quarter lead. This resulted in the Clippers coach Doc Rivers employing the “hack-a” strategy on both Dwight Howard and Clint Capela at the start of the second quarter.

Regardless of how this tactic slowed down the game the take away for Clutch City fans was they were left with something to be hopeful about specifically in terms of the manner the Rockets played this match.

Stat Leaders:

Though Dwight Howard had a strong performance Trevor Ariza hit 3 consecutive three pointers at a pivotal segment of the game earning him top honors.

As for the opposition Blake Griffin provided one of the few solid performances of the night.

Andre Cantalogo’s full player grades are available via this link along with the NBA.com full box score.

Rockets Games vs Clippers in 2016-17

December 30th at home
March 1st in Los Angeles at Staples Center
April 10th, in Los Angeles at Staples Center

Draft Picks and Free Agents

Despite a strong showing in 2015-16 the Clippers once again bowed out of the post season prematurely due to injuries to key players. Doc Rivers hasn’t made major moves in the off season electing to bring back the free agents from the existing roster.

It sure feels like this coming season has to be the ‘make or break’ season for the core players. Blake Griffin will enter free agency this summer and most assuredly not reaching the Western Conference Finals will dictate change.

Draft Picks:

Round 1: Brice Johnson (25),

Round 2: David Michineau (39), Diamond Stone (40)

Incoming Free Agents/trade:

Marreese Speights to the Clippers on a 2-year vets minimum deal
Raymond Felton leaves Dallas
Devyn Marble and a 2020 second round (trade for Wilcox)
Brandon Bass to a 1-year minimum deal leaves Lakers

Exiting Free Agents/traded:

Cole Aldrich 3-years, $22M from T-Wolves
Jeff Green1-year $15M from Orlando
Pablo Prigioni leaves for Houston
C.J. Wilcox and cash in trade fro Marble

Re-upping:

Jamal Crawford 3-years, $42M
Austin Rivers 3-years $35M
Wesley Johnson 3-years $18M
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute 2-year, $4.5M deal.

More Free Agent News

Next: Updated Free Agency Report

Next: Free Agency Profiles for all 30 Teams

Due to the large Houston Rockets fan base, SCS is always looking to add new talent to our writing team. To that end, we’re looking for individuals with a specialized focus. Specifically, the first area is perfect for someone who constantly surfs for breaking news on injuries, trades, insider info. Consequently this individual would select top news items providing timely quick hits to keep SCS readers in the loop.

The other writer would possess an especially strong social media background and would like to interact with Clutch City Fans. Therefore this person will promote SCS team content on facebook and twitter. As a result the successful candidate will make sure to promote the best content coming from H-Town fans. In conclusion, if you’re a budding writer who possesses these qualities vist the SCS link, and fill out an application.