Houston @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 22, 2019 ) Houston 119, L.A. Clippers 122

The Houston Rockets pulled off an epic comeback earlier this week and they hope the momentum carries over into Thursday's road contest against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Rockets set a franchise record by overcoming a 25-point deficit on Monday to post a 109-107 home win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Houston's defense was nowhere to be found while allowing 72 first-half points to the Spurs but it clamped down in the second half to give up just 35 and set the stage for the stunning comeback win. "Sometimes you've got to want it more than the other team," Rockets point guard Russell Westbrook told reporters. "It's that simple. No plays or no possessions or no shots can change that." Los Angeles won five of its past six games and rolled to a 120-99 win over the visiting Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Paul George scored 24 points while fellow forward Kawhi Leonard and stellar sixth man Lou Williams each added 20.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (18-9): Star guard James Harden scored 28 points against San Antonio but was just 10-of-29 shooting, including a porous 4-of-17 in the opening half. "My confidence is never gone, no matter if I go 0 for 20 or whatever," Harden told reporters. "I'm always going to shoot the ball and be aggressive. Early my shot wasn't falling ... and then other guys stepped up." One of those guys was Westbrook, who poured in 31 points and is averaging 27 points over the past five games.

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (21-8): Williams (calf) and point guard Patrick Beverley (concussion) both returned from two-game absences to play versus Phoenix and the latter scored nine points while playing his typical pesky defense. "We're trying to win as many games as possible," Beverley said in a postgame television interview. "We understand it's a real competitive league but anybody we play, we're trying to win. That's our mindset. … I go out there and try to do the dirty work. I'm comfortable with that." Los Angeles racked up 14 steals against the Suns with forward Maurice Harkless accumulating four while George and guard Rodney McGruder each had three.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Harden averaged 42 points as the teams split this season's first two meetings.

2. Houston backup G Ben McLemore scored 17 points against San Antonio and is averaging 17.3 over the past nine contests.

3. Los Angeles F JaMychal Green (tailbone) is expected to miss his sixth straight game.

PREDICTION: Clippers 124, Rockets 120