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The Houston Rockets (8-4) welcome the LA Clippers (6-6) to Toyota Center Friday for NBA Cup group play. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Clippers vs. Rockets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Rockets lead 1-0
The Clippers lost 111-103 at the Rockets Wednesday, closing as 5-point underdogs. They were led by G James Harden, who scored 19 points yet hit just 3 of 8 shots from deep. LA has lost back-to-back games after winning 4 in a row. It has been spearheaded by its defense, which has allowed 105 or fewer points in 7 of 12 games. The Clippers are 6-5-1 against the spread (ATS) on the season.
The Rockets beat the Clippers in their last action and were led by G Jalen Green, who dropped 21 points despite hitting 7 of 21 shots from the field. Houston has been surging, winning 3 straight games and 5 of its last 7. It is on a 4-0 straight-up/ATS home win streak. The Rockets are 7-5 ATS on the season and have allowed 99 or fewer points in 2 of their last 3.
Clippers at Rockets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 1:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Clippers +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Rockets -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Clippers +4.5 (-110) | Rockets -4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 214.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Clippers at Rockets key injuries
Clippers
- F Kawhi Leonard (knee) out
Rockets
- C Steven Adams (knee) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Clippers at Rockets picks and predictions
Prediction
Rockets 109, Clippers 104
Moneyline
PASS.
The Clippers — especially without Leonard — haven’t shown enough to suggest they can win on the road. They are 1-2 in their last 3 away games. Avoid their ML.
The Rockets are too expensive to take and better served on the spread.
Against the spread
BET ROCKETS -4.5 (-110).
Houston’s defense is among the most aggressive in the NBA. It sits third in defensive rating and sixth in net rating. The Rockets have won back-to-back games, both by at least 8 points. They have won 5 of their last 6 games, and 4 of the 5 victories have been by more than this amount.
The Clippers have lost 2 straight games, both of which came by at least 6 points. LA is just 3-5-1 ATS over its last 9 games, so it has cooled off after covering its first 3. Considering those trends, take ROCKETS -4.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 214.5 (-110).
Both teams have strong defensive acumens and sit top 10 in defensive ratings. Neither team plays at a fast tempo, either, with each sitting in the bottom 10 in pace.
The Clippers are 4-8 O/U on the season and 1-4 O/U in their last 5 games. The Rockets are also 4-8 O/U and 0-3 O/U in their last 3. Considering those trends, back UNDER 214.5 (-110).
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