The Los Angeles Clippers (42-19) and the Houston Rockets (39-21) battle at Toyota Center. The Clippers will try to prolong their five-game winning streak. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 237 points with Houston opening as a 1-point favorite. Action begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 5, 2020, and it can be seen on FSN Prime Ticket.
Los Angeles Clippers at Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The last time the Clippers played, they beat the Oklahoma City Thunder, 109-94, easily covering as 4.5-point favorites. Kawhi Leonard was the top scorer from either team with 25 points on 9-for-20 shooting. Los Angeles played a nearly perfect game. They had a solid turnover percentage of 8.6 (better than their season average of 12.3) and a free throw rate of 0.262 (above their season average of 0.228). For those same stats, Oklahoma City was 12.3 and 0.210, respectively. The two teams combined to score 203 points, which was well under the O/U total of 228.
The Rockets are hoping for a better outcome after being unable to cover as 10-point favorites in their 125-123 loss to the New York Knicks in their last matchup. James Harden was the game’s high scorer with 35 points on 8-for-22 shooting. New York had an offensive rebounding percentage of 43.5 (above their season average of 25.6). Houston, on the other hand, did a great job of getting and making free throws (25-27; 92.6 percent). The two teams combined to record 248 points, which was well over the O/U total of 230.
These two teams have met three times already this year, with the Rockets winning two of them. In the most recent matchup, the Clippers lost 122-117, unable to cover as 5-point favorites. Paul George had 34 points and nine rebounds. The two teams combined to put up 239 points, which was just 2.5 points above the projected point total of 236.5 points. The Rockets played a nearly flawless game. They had a superb free throw rate of 0.256 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 24.4. The Clippers put up marks of 0.174 and 17.5, respectively, for those same stats.
Games involving these teams tend to finish under the O/U total. Los Angeles games have gone under 55.7 percent of the time, while 55.0 percent of Houston games have finished under. Both teams have very similar records straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS). The Clippers are 42-19 SU and 32-28-1 ATS, while the Rockets are 39-21 SU and 31-29 ATS.
This battle pits one of the league’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Houston ranks second in offensive efficiency and Los Angeles ranks fifth in defensive efficiency.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets Odds Prediction
Pick: SU Winner – Clippers, ATS Winner – Clippers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
The Clippers rank sixth in second chance points per game (14.2) while the Rockets rank 25th in second chance points allowed per game (13.9).
Los Angeles ranks 16th in assists per game (24.0) while Houston ranks 29th (21.5).
Houston ranks fifth in steals per game (8.4) while Los Angeles ranks 23rd (7.2).
Los Angeles ranks 15th in blocks per game (5.0) while Houston ranks 16th in blocks allowed per game (5.1).
On the road, Los Angeles is 15-15 ATS with 18 unders and 12 overs.
Houston is 15-14 ATS at home with 15 overs and 14 unders.
Los Angeles is 17-0 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Houston is 3-0.
The Clippers are 40-14 when they reach 100 points, while the Rockets are 39-18.
The Clippers rank 11th in fast break points per game (13.9) while the Rockets rank 27th in fast break points allowed per game (15.5).
Los Angeles averages 47.8 rebounds per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Houston ranks 28th in rebounds allowed per game (47.2).
The Rockets rank first in three pointers attempted per game (44.6) while the Clippers rank 24th in three pointers allowed per game (35.1).
The Clippers rank eighth in points off turnovers per game (17.7) while the Rockets rank 20th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.3).
Los Angeles ranks sixth in points allowed in the paint per game (44.9) while Houston ranks 25th (51.8).
Bettings Trends:
Houston is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in its last five games.
Across its last five outings, Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
The Rockets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.6, up from 4.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Clippers have scored an average of 120.6 points per game (4.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 103.2 points per game (6.6 below their season average).
