The Houston Rockets (53-14) will attempt to extend their 12-game home winning streak in a matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers (37-29) at Toyota Center. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15, 2018, and will air on NBATV.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 224.5 points with Houston opening as an 11.5-point favorite.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets ATS Prediction
In the Clippers’ last matchup, they topped the Chicago Bulls, 112-106. Getting to the free throw line was one of Los Angeles’ biggest strengths. They had 41 free throw attempts, while Chicago had just 15. Los Angeles was led by DeAndre Jordan, who was the game’s leading scorer with 29 points on 11-for-12 shooting.
The Rockets beat the San Antonio Spurs in their last game, 109-93. The Rockets held the Spurs to an offensive rebounding percentage of 14.6 (below their season average of 23.2) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.475 (below the 0.526 mark opponents have averaged against Houston this season). James Harden was the top scorer from either team with 28 points on 6-for-17 shooting.
The aggressive Houston offense looks poised to dominate from the foul line. The Rockets rank first in the league with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.242, while Los Angeles is among the league’s most foul-prone squads (giving up a 23rd-ranked FTA rate of 0.208).
Los Angeles heads into the game with records of 37-29 straight up (SU) and 36-29-1 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Clippers’ games have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Houston is 53-14 SU and 36-30-1 ATS. Contrary to Los Angeles, games featuring the Rockets have finished under the projected point total 53.7 percent of the time.
Jordan and Tobias Harris have played well over the last five games for Los Angeles. Jordan has averaged 19.2 rebounds and 15.0 points per game. Not to be outdone, Harris has recorded 22.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks a game during that span.
The Clippers have won two out of three against the Rockets this season, but fell short the last time these two teams met, 105-92. Los Angeles covered as an 8.5-point underdog and the game finished with a total of 197 points, which was 32.5 points below the projected point total of 229.5 points. The Rockets had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (22.2 vs. 11.4) and had a much better turnover percentage (9.5 vs. 15.5). Clint Capela recorded a double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Los Angeles is 20-11-1 ATS on the road with 16 overs and 16 unders.
Houston is 13-18-1 ATS at home with 17 overs and 15 unders.
Los Angeles is 11-2 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Houston is 25-2.
In games where they reach the century mark, the Rockets are 51-11 and the Clippers are 35-19.
Los Angeles ranks third in points in the paint per game (51.0) while Houston ranks 27th (41.3).
The Rockets average 8.7 steals per game, which ranks third in the NBA. The Clippers rank 25th in steals allowed per game (8.5).
Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (42.2) while Los Angeles ranks 22nd in three pointers allowed per game (30.2).
The Rockets rank eighth in blocks allowed per game (4.5) while the Clippers rank 26th (5.3).
Houston ranks second in rebounds allowed per game (41.1) while Los Angeles ranks 20th (43.8).
The Rockets rank 16th in fast break points allowed per game (11.8) while the Clippers rank last (15.1).
Houston averages 17.7 points off turnovers per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 18th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.2).
The Clippers rank eighth in second chance points per game (13.1) while the Rockets rank 10th in second chance points allowed per game (11.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Los Angeles is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Houston is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Clippers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.2, up from 1.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 110.2 points per game (3.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 98.8 points per game (5.9 below their season average).
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