Houston Rockets (15-8) vs. LA Clippers (14-10)
December 8, 2024 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: LA Clippers +1; Over/Under: +216.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers duke it out at the crypto.com Arena on Sunday night. Here’s a LA Clippers vs Houston Rockets Prediction. This article will include an LA Clippers vs Houston Rockets Pick.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets have been in fine form as they’ve won 10 of their past 14 games overall, but they will be hoping to snap a two-game skid after getting beaten by the Warriors in a 99-93 road defeat on Thursday. Alperen Sengun led the team with 16 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, Dillon Brooks added 15 points while Jalen Green chipped in with 14 points.
As a team, the Rockets shot just 37 percent from the field and 10 of 38 from the 3-point line, but they couldn’t match the Warriors as they just couldn’t get enough support from their bench players. Jalen Green had a rough game as he shot just four of 16 from the field while Jabari Smith Jr shot just two of eight from the field for his five points.
Los Angeles Clippers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers have been in great shape as they’ve won eight of their last 11 games overall, but they will be eager to bounce back in this one after getting thrashed by the Timberwolves in a 108-80 loss on Wednesday. Bones Hyland led the team with 18 points off the bench, Derrick Jones Jr added 14 points while Amir Coffey chipped in with 12 points.
As a team, the Clippers shot just 34 percent from the field and 11 of 40 from the 3-point line as they got off to a terrible start and never gave themselves a chance after getting outscored by 33-14 in the first quarter. In fact, the Clippers trailed in this one by as many as 41 points before they finished with a late flurry to prevent an uglier final score. The Clippers will take on the Nuggets after this one.
Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win
- The Rockets have lost each of their last nine Sunday night games against Pacific Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Clippers have won four of their last five games as home underdogs.
- The Clippers have covered the spread in each of their last four home games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine Sunday night games against Pacific Division opponents that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Six of the Clippers’ last seven games as home underdogs following a home loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Six of the Rockets’ last seven road games against Pacific Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Los Angeles Clippers Player Facts
- Norman Powell ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for 3P% (50.7%) this season.
- Ivica Zubac ranks 4th amongst qualified players for rebounds per game (12.2) this season.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- Alperen Sengun is one of only five players in the league to have recorded a triple-double in consecutive games this season.
- Jalen Green ranks 12th in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (86.1%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Clippers rank 2nd in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (9.3).
- The Clippers rank 2nd in the league for Q1 opponent points per game this season (25.6).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for opponent assists per game this season (21.8).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for rebounds per game this season (49.9).
LA Clippers vs Houston Rockets Prediction
The Rockets are keeping eyes on Fred VanVleet and Jae’Sean Tate who are both questionable for this one, while the Clippers have listed James Harden and Mo Bamba as questionable. The Rockets come into this meeting with plenty of momentum and you could say the same about the Clippers who were rolling before suffering a terrible loss to the Timberwolves on Wednesday. This is definitely a game where you want to check the lineups before tipoff, but assuming that the Rockets are still shorthanded, I prefer a play on the Clippers as the home underdog.
