Expect a high-scoring game when the Houston Rockets (18-9), 5-point underdogs, meet the Los Angeles Clippers (21-8) at Staples Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 233 points and it can be seen on TNT at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 19, 2019.
Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Clippers ATS Odds
The last time the Clippers played, they won big over the Phoenix Suns, 120-99, comfortably covering as 12.5-point favorites. The Rockets, meanwhile, topped the San Antonio Spurs, 109-107, but failed to cover as 10-point favorites. The Los Angeles game finished 9 points under the projected point total of 228, while the Houston game went 15.5 points under the projected point total of 231.5.
The Rockets forced 18 turnovers and held the Spurs to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.0 (below the 23.2 mark opponents have averaged against Houston this season). The Clippers, meanwhile, knocked down 16 of their 22 free throws (72.7 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.584 (above their season average of 0.521). Paul George fueled Los Angeles with 24 points. Houston, meanwhile, received a boost from Russell Westbrook, who contributed 31 points and 10 rebounds.
The Clippers won the most recent matchup by three points to even the season series at one. James Harden had a double-double in the loss with 37 points and 12 assists. Los Angeles had a better effective field goal percentage (0.592 vs. 0.554). Houston, meanwhile, had a better free throw rate (0.310 vs. 0.218). Los Angeles was unable to cover as a 5-point favorite and the two teams combined for 241 points, which was over the projected point total of 227.
Matchups including the Rockets have typically finished under the total (59.3 percent). Houston heads into the contest with records of 18-9 straight up (SU) and 13-14 against the spread (ATS).
Similarly to Houston, Clippers games also have a tendency to finish under the total (58.6 percent). Moreover, Los Angeles owns records of 21-8 SU and 16-12-1 ATS.
Los Angeles figures to have an edge on the offensive glass in this battle. The Clippers are among the league’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking third in offensive rebounding percentage at 24.4 percent. Meanwhile, Houston ranks 17th in the league at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 77.0 percent.
Rockets at Clippers ATS Pick
Free NBA Tip: SU Winner – Clippers, ATS Winner – Clippers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Clippers average 15.1 second chance points per game, which ranks first in the league. The Rockets rank 15th in second chance points allowed per game (12.9).
- Houston averages 45.7 three pointers per game, which ranks first in the NBA. Los Angeles ranks 24th in three pointers allowed per game (34.9).
- The Clippers average 48.6 rebounds per game, which ranks second in the league. The Rockets rank 21st in rebounds allowed per game (46.3).
- Houston ranks fourth in steals per game (8.5) while Los Angeles ranks 22nd in steals allowed per game (8.4).
- Los Angeles averages 49.0 points in the paint per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. Houston ranks 21st in points allowed in the paint per game (49.6).
- The Clippers rank fourth in assists allowed per game (22.4) while the Rockets rank 27th (26.1).
- The Clippers rank eighth in points off turnovers per game (18.3) while the Rockets rank 26th in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.9).
- Houston averages 5.1 blocks per game, which ranks 13th in the league. Los Angeles ranks 16th in blocks allowed per game (4.9).
- Los Angeles averages 14.6 fast break points per game, which ranks eighth in the league. Houston ranks 29th in fast break points allowed per game (16.1).
- In games where they allow less than 100 points, Houston is 2-0 and Los Angeles is 10-0.
- The Clippers are 19-4 when they reach 100 points, while the Rockets are 18-8.
- Houston is 7-6 ATS on the road, while Los Angeles is 10-4-1 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 10 of the Clippers’ 15 home games, while 9 of the Rockets’ 13 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Houston and Los Angeles have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Clippers are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Rockets are 1-4.
- The Clippers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.2, up from 7.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 116.0 points per game (3.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 111.6 points per game (2.7 below their season average).
