Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Clippers ATS Prediction

Victor TrejosBasketball, NBA

The Houston Rockets (1-3) will be 2.5-point favorites at home in Toyota Center when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers (2-2). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 217.5 points and it will air on ATTSN Southwest at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, October 26, 2018.

Los Angeles Clippers at Houston Rockets ATS Odds

Both teams failed to cover as underdogs in their last matchup. The Clippers (5.5-point underdogs) were defeated by the New Orleans Pelicans, 116-109, while the Rockets (1-point underdogs) fell to the Utah Jazz, 100-89. The Los Angeles game went 12.5 points under the projected point total of 237.5, while the Houston game went 28 points under the projected point total of 217.

Los Angeles held New Orleans to an effective field goal percentage of 0.462 (below their season average of 0.627) while Houston forced Utah into a turnover percentage of 16.6 (above the 10.0 mark opponents have averaged against Houston this season). Houston received a boost from James Harden, who recorded 29 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Meanwhile, Tobias Harris played a key role for Los Angeles with 26 points and nine rebounds.

The aggressive Houston offense might be living from the foul line in this meeting. The Rockets rank fourth in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.225, while Los Angeles ranks 22nd in FTA rate allowed (0.205) since the 2017-18 season. ,

The Clippers are 44-42 straight up (SU) and 44-48-1 against the spread (ATS) since last season. Vegas has been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Los Angeles games since last season with 47 overs compared to 44 unders.

The Rockets, on the other hand, have records of 66-20 SU and 49-47-1 ATS since last season. Games featuring Houston have had a slight tendency to finish over the projected point total over that same period (50.5 percent).

In their first matchup this year, Montrezl Harrell led the Clippers to a 115-112 win. He registered a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. The two teams combined to score 227 points, which was over the projected point total of 220.5, and Los Angeles covered as a 3-point favorite. Los Angeles did a fantastic job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (26-26; 100.0 percent). Houston, meanwhile, made 15 of its 35 three pointers (42.9 percent).

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets Free Pick

Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Over

Betting Notes (2017-Present):

  • The Clippers rank 20th in assists per game (22.3) while the Rockets rank 28th (21.1).
  • Los Angeles averages 52.3 points in the paint per game, which ranks third in the league. Houston ranks 29th in points allowed in the paint per game (48.3).
  • The Rockets rank first in three pointers attempted per game (41.9) while the Clippers rank 22nd (26.7).
  • Los Angeles ranks fifth in second chance points per game (13.8) while Houston ranks 23rd (11.4).
  • Houston ranks 16th in fast break points allowed per game (12.2) while Los Angeles ranks 29th (15.3).
  • The Rockets average 8.4 steals per game, which ranks fifth in the league. The Clippers rank 27th in steals allowed per game (8.5).
  • The Rockets average 16.9 points off turnovers per game, which ranks ninth in the league. The Clippers rank 22nd in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.4).
  • Houston ranks seventh in blocks allowed per game (4.5) while Los Angeles ranks 29th (5.7).
  • Houston is 38-3 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Los Angeles is 14-2.
  • When reaching the century mark, the Clippers are 42-28 and the Rockets are 72-17.
    •