The Los Angeles Clippers will take on the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Clippers-Rockets prediction and pick.
These teams have had vastly different seasons. Los Angeles entered the campaign with high expectations for the year, but injuries and middling play have earned them a 32-31 record and the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
Houston has just been downright terrible this season, which was expected coming in. They haven't had a winning record once in the entire season, which isn't that surprising considering they're 15-45. That's easily the worst record in the West. The Rockets will look to improve that abysmal mark on their home floor in this one.
Here are the Clippers-Rockets NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Clippers-Rockets Odds
Los Angeles Clippers: -7 (-112)
Houston Rockets: +7 (-108)
Over: 227.5 (-110)
Under: 227.5 (-110)
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Why The Clippers Could Cover The Spread
There's a reason the Rockets have one of the worst records in the NBA. They're one of the worst statistical teams in the league, giving Los Angeles the upper hand in just about every single category. The Clippers should have a particularly big advantage on the defensive side of the ball. They only give up 107 points per contest and hold their opponents to some of the lowest shooting percentages in the league. The Rockets already shoot just % from the field while averaging 108 points per game, so this elite Clippers defense shouldn't have much of a problem here.
Unfortunately for Houston, they're dealing with some injuries right out of the gate after the All-Star break. Starting point guard Kevin Porter Jr. is questionable for this contest along with backup shooting guard Garrison Mathews. If both miss this game, Jalen Green and others will be forced into huge workloads. That's just one more factor making this game even tougher for the overmatched Rockets.
Why The Rockets Could Cover The Spread
There are a couple of areas this Rockets offense should find success in. The Clippers allow a whopping 49 points in the paint per game to their opponents, one of the worst numbers in the NBA. Houston is one of the best teams in the league when it comes to scoring near the basket, as they average nearly 49 points in the category. Los Angeles has also struggled to stop opposing fast breaks, allowing 13 fast-break points per contest. The Rockets have been decent there, scoring an average of 11 fast-break points per game. It's not impossible for the Houston offense to find success.
Home-court advantage could be a factor here as well. The Rockets have been slightly better when they play at the Toyota Center, earning a 29% winning percentage there compared to a 21% winning percentage anywhere else. The Clippers have been significantly worse on the road, with their record plummeting from 18-13 at home to a 14-18 away mark. Houston's home-court advantage could help them cover against a far superior team.
Final Clippers-Rockets Prediction & Pick
Neither team looks particularly appealing here. Instead, the under is the best pick on the board. It's surprising to see the number set as high as it is, as both of these teams are terrible on offense. Take the under with confidence here in this Western Conference matchup.
Final Clippers-Rockets Prediction & Pick: Under: 227.5 (-110)
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