The Houston Rockets will travel to the Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Action begins at 10:30 pm ET on Thursday, May 14 and can be seen on ESPN.
The Clippers enter this game hoping for similar success after dismantling the Rockets 128-95 on Sunday. DeAndre Jordan played a pivotal role, recording his 47th double-double of the season with 26 points and 17 rebounds. James Harden had a team-high 21 points.
Based on historical performance heading into this one, ball security could play a key role in the matchup. Los Angeles commits the second-fewest miscues in the NBA (turnover percentage of 12.1%), while Houston’s pesky defense causes the fifth-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 15.5%). Also, the offense of the Rockets seems ready to earn plenty of trips to the line. They rank second in the NBA in free throw attempt rate (31.2), while the Clippers are among the league’s most foul-happy teams (allowing a 29th-ranked mark of 31.2).
The odds for Los Angeles and Houston are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Clippers have gone 56-26 Straight Up (SU) and 38-44 Against The Spread (ATS). While they boast a record of 20-6 against Western Conference opponents at home, they have struggled to beat the spread in those same games, going 10-16. Los Angeles is the most disciplined team in the league with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.10.
Over on the other bench, the Rockets have a record of 48-34 ATS and 56-26 SU. Against the Western Conference, Houston is 33-19 SU and 30-22 ATS. The Rockets rely heavily on three-pointers on offense, leading the league with 933 made (11.4 per game). Houston is the fourth-best team in the league at scoring points off turnovers with 18.9 per game.
With the Clippers’ last win against Houston, their SU record is now 7-3 over the Rockets in the last 10 games. The Clippers also lead the matchup ATS with a record of 8-2. Over the last 10 matchups, Los Angeles held the advantage in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers two times. Houston performed this feat once.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, ATS Winner – HOU
Notes
LA Clippers 19-5-1 SU in their last 25 games.
LA Clippers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Clippers last 5 games at home.
LA Clippers are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games at home.
LA Clippers 14-4-1 SU in their last 19 games when playing Houston.
LA Clippers are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against Houston.
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of the LA Clippers last 14 games when playing at home against Houston.
Houston is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers.
Houston’s offense and Los Angeles’ defense are well matched, ranking zeroth in points per game and points allowed per game respectively. Houston scores an average of 0.0 points per game, while Los Angeles gives up 0.0 points per game.
Houston and Los Angeles are well matched, ranking zeroth in points per away game and points allowed at home respectively. Houston scores an average of 0.0 points on the road, while Los Angeles gives up 0.0 points at home on average.
Los Angeles has a dazzling 34-4 record when it allows under 100 points this season. Houston is 12-14 when it puts up under 100.
Los Angeles is a split 22-22 in contests where it gives up 100 or more points. Houston is a superb 44-12 when it hits the century mark.
The Clippers have the top-ranked offense this season, averaging 109.5 points per 100 possessions. The Rockets have one of the best defenses, allowing 100.5 points in the same number of possessions (ranked sixth).
The Houston Rockets average 100.0 possessions per game and 1.040 points per possession. The Los Angeles Clippers earn fewer possessions with 97.5, but they score more points with 1.095.
Los Angeles is among the top-ranked teams based on its average effective field goal percentage of 53.3% (ranked second in the NBA). Houston is a subpar 3-14 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, Los Angeles attempts 26.9 three pointers and Houston attempts 32.7 per game. Both teams have winning records when they have 25 or more three point attempts. The Clippers sit at 37-16 and the Rockets are 53-24.
Los Angeles ranks at the top of the league with an assist to turnover ratio of 2.10 this season. Houston ranks 27th with an A/TO of 1.39.
The Los Angeles Clippers rebound 42.6 times per game and are ranked 20th. Ranked 14th, the Houston Rockets rebound 43.7 times per game.
The Houston Rockets rank seventh in offensive rebounding, while the Los Angeles Clippers rank 10th in defensive rebounding.
Houston is among the best in forcing turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 15.5% (ranked fifth). Los Angeles has a 4-6 record SU when its TOV% reaches 15.5% or greater.
