The Los Angeles Clippers (32-27) look to snap the 13-game winning streak of Houston when they welcome the Rockets (47-13) to Staples Center. Tip-off is set for 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 28, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN.
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Odds Preview
The Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz in their last outing, 96-85. James Harden was the top scorer from either team with 26 points on 8-for-13 shooting. Houston dominated every stat category in the game. They had a turnover percentage of 14.3 (worse than their season average of 12.3) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.0 (above their season average of 21.6). Utah recorded marks of 21.4 and 18.4, respectively, for those same stats.
In the Clippers’ last game, they beat the Denver Nuggets, 122-120. Los Angeles was lifted by Lou Williams, who was the game’s high scorer with 25 points on 10-for-18 shooting. Los Angeles played a nearly perfect game. They had a solid offensive rebounding percentage of 30.2 (above their season average of 22.8) and a turnover percentage of 14.9 (worse than their season average of 12.9). For those same stats, Denver put up marks of 26.8 and 16.6, respectively.
The physical Houston offense could be getting to the free throw line a lot in this contest. The Rockets rank first in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.242, while Los Angeles is among the NBA’s most foul-prone squads (giving up a 23rd-ranked FTA rate of 0.212).
Of Houston’s 60 games, 31 have finished under the O/U total, while 30 of Los Angeles’ 58 games have finished over the projected point total. The Rockets have the superior straight up (SU) record (47-13 vs. 32-27), but the Clippers have been better against the spread (ATS) (33-24-1 vs. 31-28-1).
These two teams have already met twice this year, with the Clippers winning both. Blake Griffin had 29 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the most recent matchup, in which the Clippers defeated the Rockets 113-102, covering as 4.5-point underdogs. The two teams combined to put up 215 points, which was 15 points below the projected point total of 230 points. Los Angeles did an excellent job of converting from the free throw line (15-20; 75.0 percent). Houston, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (26.0 vs. 14.3).
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Odds Prediction
NBA Tip: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
Bettings Trends:
- Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Houston is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Clippers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.8, up from 1.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 112.2 points per game (1.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 100.0 points per game (5.1 below their season average).