The Los Angeles Clippers (1-1) will be 2.5-point underdogs at home in Staples Center when they clash with the Houston Rockets (1-1). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 225 points and it can be seen on NBATV at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 21, 2018.
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Clippers Betting Odds
Both teams covered in their last outing. The Clippers (3-point favorites) defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-92, while the Rockets (8-point underdog) beat the Los Angeles Lakers 124-115. The Los Angeles game went 14 points under the projected point total of 214, while the Houston game finished 7 points over the projected point total of 232.
Houston dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.208 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 27.1. Los Angeles recorded marks of 0.110 and 18.0, respectively, for those same stats. The Clippers, on the other hand, had a much better free throw rate (0.338 vs. 0.179) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.506 vs. 0.395). Los Angeles received a boost from Tobias Harris, who put up 26 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, Chris Paul played a key role for Houston with 28 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.
Since the 2017-18 season, a focal point for the Los Angeles offense has been to get to and convert from the free throw line. The Clippers rank fourth in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.224), but Houston has been among the best in the NBA at keeping opponents away from the charity stripe (ranking fourth by yielding a FTA rate of 0.173). ,
The Rockets are 66-18 straight up (SU) and 48-45-1 against the spread (ATS) since last season. Houston games have finished over the projected point total 50.0 percent of the time since last season.
On the other hand, the Clippers, are 43-41 SU and 43-47-1 ATS since last season. Just over half of Los Angeles’ games have finished over the O/U total over that same time frame.
This series was highly contested last year, as the teams split their four games last season. In the most recent contest, the Rockets won 101-96. One of Houston’s largest advantages was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 19-23 (82.6 percent), while the Clippers were just 4-8 (50.0 percent).
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Clippers Betting Pick
Free Pick: 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 ranks third in points in the paint per game (52.0) while Houston ranks 28th (41.2).
- The Rockets rank first in three pointers attempted per game (41.9) while the Clippers rank 22nd (26.8).
- Los Angeles ranks fourth in second chance points per game (13.8) while Houston ranks 22nd (11.4).
- Houston averages 16.9 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 11th in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 22nd in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.4).
- The Rockets rank sixth in blocks allowed per game (4.5) while the Clippers rank 29th (5.6).
- The Rockets rank 15th in fast break points allowed per game (12.1) while the Clippers rank last (15.3).
- Houston ranks 19th in rebounds per game (43.4) while Los Angeles ranks 21st in rebounds allowed per game (43.9).
- Houston ranks fifth in steals per game (8.4) while Los Angeles ranks 26th in steals allowed per game (8.5).
- Houston is 38-3 when they allow less than 100 points, while Los Angeles is 14-2.
- In games where they reach the century mark, the Clippers are 41-27 and the Rockets are 72-16.
