NBA Odds: Rockets (even)
The Los Angeles Clippers (37-20) and their first-ranked offense visit Houston (38-18) to take on the Rockets and their fifth-ranked defense. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Feb. 25 and can be seen on ESPN, FSN-PT and ROOT-SW.
The Rockets played well in their last game, topping the Timberwolves 113-102 on Monday. Houston was lifted by James Harden, who finished with 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. This gave him his second triple-double of the year. The Clippers, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after the close 90-87 loss against the Grizzlies on Monday. Los Angeles still lost despite the best efforts of Chris Paul, who recorded his 26th double-double of the season with 30 points and 10 assists.
DeAndre Jordan has upped his play over the last five games for the Clippers, averaging 18.4 points, 19.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 1.8 steals, and 2.0 blocks.
It will be a showdown of two heavyweights, as the prolific offense of the Clippers (first in the league with an offensive efficiency of 110.0) takes the court against the elite defense of the Rockets (fifth in the NBA with a defensive efficiency of 99.7).
The Clippers have emerged victorious in both games against the Rockets this year, including a 110-95 win the last time these two teams met. Jordan put up a double-double in the victory with 24 points and 20 rebounds.
The odds for Houston and Los Angeles are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. The Rockets come into this game 38-18 Straight Up (SU) and 32-24 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 22-13 SU and 20-15 ATS against the Western Conference. The Rockets lead the NBA in three-point field goals, making 655 from beyond the arc (11.7 per game). Houston is one of the league’s top scoring teams off turnovers with an average of 19.2 points per game.
Over on the other bench, the Clippers have 37-20 SU and 24-33 ATS records. Against the Western Conference, Los Angeles is 24-9 SU and 15-18 ATS. Offensively, they average 107.0 points per game, which is good for second in the league. The Clippers get to the line and convert their free throws at a high volume, ranking fifth in the league with 1,060 made (18.6 per game). The Clippers are the better of the two teams when it comes to assist-to-turnover ratio, leading the NBA at 2.1. One advantage for the Clippers could be Houston’s high fouls per game average of 22.8.
With the Clippers’ last win against Houston, their SU record is now 9-1 over the Rockets in the last 10 meetings. The Clippers also lead the matchup ATS with a record of 7-3. Houston and Los Angeles both held the advantage in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once over the last 10 games.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, ATS Winner – HOU
Notes
On average, Los Angeles puts up 107.0 points per game (ranked second). Houston ranks 17th in points allowed per game with 99.6.
Houston has allowed an average of 95.3 points per home game this season. Los Angeles averages 106.3 points per away game, placing the team second in scoring.
When allowing fewer than 100 points, the Rockets are 27-3 on the season. When the Clippers score fewer than 100, they are an underachieving 3-10.
When the Houston Rockets allow at least 100 points they are 11-15, while the Los Angeles Clippers are 34-10 when they register triple digits.
The Clippers have a defensive rating of 103.6 (ranked 18th). The Rockets rank 13th for their offensive rating of 103.3.
The Houston Rockets average 99.9 possessions per game and 1.033 points per possession, while the Los Angeles Clippers earn fewer possessions (97.2) but more points per possession (1.100).
Houston is among the top-ranked teams based on its average effective field goal percentage of 50.8% (ranked seventh in the NBA). Los Angeles is a subpar 10-16 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, Houston attempts 33.7 three pointers and Los Angeles attempts 26.2 per game. Both teams have winning records when they have 25 or more three point attempts. The Rockets sit at 38-17 and the Clippers are 23-11.
The Los Angeles Clippers top the league in assist to turnover ratio this season with an A/TO of 2.13. The Houston Rockets have an A/TO of 1.32 (ranked 28th).
The Rockets rank 12th in rebounds per game with 43.8, while the Clippers rank 24th with 41.8 per game.
The Los Angeles Clippers rank 27th in offensive rebounding, while the Houston Rockets rank 22nd in defensive rebounding.
Houston is one of the best in the league in forcing turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 15.9% (ranked third). Los Angeles is an even 3-3 SU when it has a TOV% of 15.9% or greater.
