Houston Rockets Hope to Avoid Franchise History vs. LA Clippers

The Houston Rockets can achieve a .500 record with a win against the LA Clippers.

The Houston Rockets are 40-41 going into the final game of the regular season this afternoon against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Despite being eliminated from the playoff race earlier this month, the Rockets have been fighting hard through the final week or so of the regular season in hopes of finishing strong and possibly have a winning record.

Mar 6, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives with the

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The chances of a winning record were thwarted on Thursday with a loss to the Utah Jazz on the road. However, the team still has a chance to go 41-41 after beating the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night to reach their 40th win. It all comes down to today's game against the Clippers.

Since the franchise moved from San Diego to Houston in 1971, the Rockets have never finished under .500 for four consecutive seasons. The team's first three seasons in the Space City saw them finish under .500, but the team finished 41-41 in 1974-75, something Houston looks to achieve today.

A victory today would also secure a 19-win improvement from the year before, the best year-to-year improvement since 1984-85, Hakeem Olajuwon's rookie year.

Tipoff between the Rockets and Clippers is set for 2:30 p.m. CT.