The Houston Rockets will play host to the Los Angeles Clippers at the Toyota Center on Friday night. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Clippers-Rockets prediction and pick.
Los Angeles has won four of its last five games and controls its own destiny for the third seed in the Western Conference. The Clippers get to face off with the lowly Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder to round out the season. Houston has lost seven straight games and has clinched the worst record in all of basketball.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the Clippers-Rockets odds.
NBA Odds: Clippers-Rockets Odds
Los Angeles Clippers -10.5 (-110)
Houston Rockets +10.5 (-110)
Over 226.5 Points (-110)
Under 226.5 Points (-110)
Why The Clippers Could Cover The Spread
The Clippers have been demoralizing to play against as they shoot at a ridiculously high clip from the floor. Although leading scorers Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will likely be rested in this game (Serge Ibaka could be back), the Clippers still possess the second-most efficient offense in the NBA this season. Los Angeles has been the most efficient 3-point shooting club in NBA history as well.
The Clippers are shooting a ridiculous 41.6% from beyond the arc. All of their rotation players who shoot 3s on a consistent basis are over 35% from deep. Against a Rockets bunch that allows the second-highest 3-point percentage against, look for the Clippers to let it fly early and often. With their ability to shoot at an elite rate and play some of the best defense in the league, Los Angeles creates a tough test for any club.
Why The Rockets Could Cover The Spread
The Rockets have lost seven straight games and look like a club that has already hung them up mentally. Although the Rockets have stuck around in games and covered double-digit spreads fairly regularly, this Clippers team poses a unique challenge. Houston has no other choice but to try to shoot the long ball nearly as efficiently as Los Angeles. The Rockets will likely push the pace and try to make the Clippers get out of their half-court comfort zone.
With no Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood, Houston will have to dig deep to create offense. Kelly Olynyk will need to play the best game of his career in order to keep this one close and potentially pull off the upset. The Rockets did play well against the Lakers in their last game, scoring 122 points in a two-point loss with just eight players and no true center active. The Rockets' game plan has been consistent lately: shoot at a ridiculously high rate from deep and hope that some fall.
Final Clippers-Rockets Prediction & Pick
The Rockets have been quietly covering spreads at a high rate recently. They are 4-1 ATS in their last five games and have lost by single digits in three of them. The Clippers will likely sit George and Leonard for this game, which only helps our case. That is a lot of points that will be left off the board. The Rockets push the pace, get their shots up, and hit at a decent clip. Kelly Olynyk and Kenyon Martin Jr. will lead this team to a cover at home.
FINAL PICK: Houston Rockets +10.5 (-110)
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