Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets Odds, Analysis, NBA Betting Pick
The Houston Rockets (25-5) will try to bounce back from a bad loss when they host the Los Angeles Clippers (12-18) on Friday as big home favorites. The Rockets fell to the Los Angeles Lakers 122-116 on Wednesday as 14.5-point home chalk and also lost former Clipper Chris Paul (groin), who had seen his new team go 15-0 in the previous 15 games with him in the lineup.
Point spread: The Rockets opened as 11.5-point favorites; the total is at 219, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. Line updates and matchup report.
NBA betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 114.6-100.0, Rockets (NBA picks on every game)
Why the Clippers can cover the spread
Houston is 10-4 without Paul this season, and Los Angeles will not need to worry about the distraction of playing against him in this tough spot on the road.
The Clippers are coming off a dominant 108-95 win over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday to end a three-game losing streak, as Austin Rivers totaled a team-high 21 points to lead six players who scored in double figures for them. Despite losing three of four, Los Angeles has covered the spread in six of seven.
Why the Rockets can cover the spread
The Rockets are still a good team without Paul, and they have won seven of the past 10 meetings with the Clippers both straight up and against the spread while he was playing for the other side.
Houston got 51 points from MVP favorite James Harden versus the Lakers, and he will be ready to carry the team in Paul's absence. Harden made 15-of-27 shots—including 4-of-6 from three-point range—and also sank 17-of-21 free-throw attempts while adding nine assists. He is more than capable of running the point under coach Mike D'Antoni too after playing the position last year.
Smart betting pick
The Rockets will not get swept by both Los Angeles teams within a stretch of three days, and do not be surprised if they beat the Clippers by twice the point spread.
At the start of their recently completed winning streak, they won each of the first three games by more than 20 points, and that should be the case again here. Houston will rebound with an easy home victory and cover the big number.
NBA betting trends
Los Angeles is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games.
Houston is 2-4-1 ATS in its last seven games.
The total has gone over in five of Houston's last six games at home.
All NBA odds and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.
