Rockets vs Clippers 2019 NBA Betting Lines & Expert Prediction
The Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers will both be looking to extend their winning ways while delivering a message when two of the top championship hopefuls in the league go at it on Thursday night. With James Harden putting points on the board like crazy and the Clippers looking to their pair of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to lead team to victory, let’s find out which team is offering the best value against their NBA odds in this matchup.
Rockets vs Clippers 2019 NBA Betting Lines & Expert Prediction
Why Bet On Houston?
The Rockets might be decisive road dogs in this matchup, but there are plenty of good reasons to back Houston in this affair. The Rockets have won three of four including a franchise, record-setting 109-107 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night. Houston overcame a 25-point deficit to get the win in a contentious matchup. After allowing a whopping 72 first-half points, Houston limited San Antonio to just 35 points in the second half.
“Sometimes you’ve got to want it more than the other team,” Rockets point guard Russell Westbrook told reporters. “It’s that simple. No plays or no possessions or no shots can change that.”
Houston ranks a stellar second in scoring (119.7 ppg), but the Rockets are just 23rd in points allowed (115.1 ppg). Former league MVP James Harden is averaging a league-leading 38.9 points per game. Westbrook scored a team-high 31 points against the Spurs and is averaging 27 points over the past five games. Houston’s leading man scored 28 points against the Spurs despite shooting a dismal 10-of-29 from the field.
“My confidence is never gone, no matter if I go 0 for 20 or whatever,” Harden told reporters. “I’m always going to shoot the ball and be aggressive. Early my shot wasn’t falling … and then other guys stepped up.”
Team Stats
Offense
- Total Score: 119.70
- Field Goal Percentage: 44.92
- Three-Point Percentage: 34.52
- Free Throw Percentage: 78.93
- Total Rebounds: 47.93
Defense
- Total Score: 114.30
- Field Goal Percentage: 45.51
- Three-Point Percentage: 35.86
- Free Throw Percentage: 75.45
- Total Rebounds: 46.33
Why Bet On The LA Clippers?
There are also a bunch of great reasons to back the Clippers in this matchup. Los Angeles won five of its last six games, including an emphatic 120-99 beatdown of Phoenix on Tuesday. Paul George scored 24 points while Kawhi Leonard and reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Lou Williams each added 20 points in the win.
Los Angeles has gone a stellar 14-1 at home this season while Houston has gone a modest 8-5 on the road. Then, there’s the fact that the Clippers are healthier right now than they’ve been in weeks with Williams (calf) and veteran point guard Patrick Beverley (concussion) both returning from two-game absences against Phoenix.
“We’re trying to win as many games as possible,” Beverley said in a postgame television interview. “We understand it’s a real competitive league but anybody we play, we’re trying to win. That’s our mindset. I go out there and try to do the dirty work. I’m comfortable with that.”
The Clippers rank an impressive fifth in scoring (115.1 ppg) while ranking third in defensive field goal percentage (34.2%) and a modest 12th in points allowed (107.8 ppg).
Team Stats
Offense
- Total Score: 115.14
- Field Goal Percentage: 45.80
- Three-Point Percentage: 35.99
- Free Throw Percentage: 78.21
- Total Rebounds: 48.59
Defense
- Total Score: 107.76
- Field Goal Percentage: 42.68
- Three-Point Percentage: 34.12
- Free Throw Percentage: 77.34
- Total Rebounds: 45.83
Rockets vs Clippers NBA Betting Trends
- Clippers are 10-0 SU in their last 10 games at home
- Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games this season
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Clippers’ last 6 games played on a Thursday
- Rockets are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games
- Rockets are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games against an opponent in the Western conference
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston’s last 7 games
Expert Analysis & Prediction for Rockets vs Clippers
While 45 percent of public bettors are currently backing the Rockets to cover the chalk in this one, I’m going to urge NBA hoops bettors everywhere to back the Los Angeles Clippers to take care of business at home in this one.
While Houston has struggled in going 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall, the Clippers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. More importantly, L.A. wants to send a message to Houston that they are the superior team should they meet in the playoffs. I like Kawhi and PG3 to lead the way to victory on Thursday night!
Score: Houston Rockets 115 – LA Clippers 124
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