The Houston Rockets (10-32) battle the LA Clippers (22-22) at Crypto.com Arena Sunday. Tip is set for 3 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Rockets vs. Clippers odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Rockets lost to the Sacramento Kings 139-114 Friday, failing to cover as a 9.5-point road underdog. Houston is just 18-23-1 against the spread (ATS) this season and just 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games. They rank 30th in the NBA in field goal percentage (44.4%).
The Clippers lost to the Denver Nuggets 115-103, closing as a 5-point home favorite. Los Angeles is 21-23 ATS on the season yet is just 1-6 ATS in its last 7. The Clippers are 12-10 straight up at home. Their strength is defense, ranking 4th in opponents’ points per game (110.1).
Rockets at Clippers odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 9:14 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rockets +350 (bet $100 to win $350) | Clippers -425 (bet $425 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rockets +9.5 (-110) | Clippers -9.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 221.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
Rockets at Clippers key injuries
Rockets
- G Kevin Porter Jr. (foot) doubtful
Clippers
- F Paul George (hamstring) out
- G Luke Kennard (calf) out
- F Marcus Morris Sr. (knee) doubtful
- G John Wall (abdominal) doubtful
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Rockets at Clippers picks and predictions
Prediction
Clippers 110, Rockets 106
Moneyline
PASS.
The Rockets are 4-18 on the road this season, and even at (+350), their moneyline value isn’t worthy of a play.
Against the spread
BET ROCKETS +9.5 (-110).
Neither team has covered well as of late, but the Rockets are missing fewer players and should be able to keep this within single digits.
The Clippers will be missing 3 of their top-5 scorers if Wall and Morris Sr., both of which are doubtful, don’t play. That’s too much production to be this wide of favorites. The Clippers are just 10-12 ATS at home as well.
LA has been without George for its last 4 games and is 1-3, and 1-2 ATS as a favorite in that span as well. Considering the absentees for LA, back the ROCKETS +9.5 (-110).
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 221.5 (-108).
The Rockets don’t shoot well from the floor, and the Clippers will be without many big-time scorers. Couple those 2 facts with LA’s top-tier defense together, and the Under makes sense.
LA is 17-27 O/U this season and has gone under in 3 straight games, failing to eclipse 110 in 2 of the 3. It is 1-5 O/U in its last 6. The Rockets are 5-5 O/U in their last 10 and 21-21 O/U this season.
With LA so much production and a defense-first team, back the UNDER 221.5 (-110).
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