Clippers vs. Rockets Game 5 Preview & Prediction

The Los Angeles Clippers have pushed the Houston Rockets to the brink of elimination, and are hoping to advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. Will they do just that, or will Houston keep their season alive with a home victory?

Projected Starting Lineups

(2) Houston Rockets (56-26)

G Jason Terry – 7.0 ppg, 1.9 apg

G James Harden – 27.4 ppg, 7.0 apg, 5.7 rpg

F Trevor Ariza – 12.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg

F Terrance Jones – 11.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg

C Dwight Howard – 15.8 ppg, 10.5 rpg

(3) Los Angeles Clippers (56-26)

G Chris Paul – 19.1 ppg, 10.2 apg

G J.J. Redick – 16.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg

F Matt Barnes – 10.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg

F Blake Griffin – 21.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 5.3 apg

C DeAndre Jordan – 11.5 ppg, 15.0 rpg, 2.3 bpg

What to watch for:

Will Houston show any heart?

The Rockets are the first team to lose consecutive playoff games by 25+ points in over a quarter century, and both blowouts happened because of their seeming lack of focus and intensity. They don't want their season to end in front of their home crowd, but it will be blowout if they continue to play like they don't care about the outcome.

Prediction: Clippers win 118-102

Houston will be ready to play with their season on the line, but I don't think they have any true belief that they're going to win this series. The Clippers will pull away late because of that and win in another blowout.