The Houston Rockets (14-37) kick off a three-game road trip Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers (35-18), with their matchup scheduled to tip off at the Staples Center at 10:10 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Rockets-Clippers odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.
Houston snapped a five-game losing streak with a 102-93 win over the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday. PG John Wall scored 31 points, and C Christian Wood added 22 of his own in the victory. However, they only have three wins since Feb. 4, a span of 30 games.
The Clippers played Thursday night, defeating the Phoenix Suns 113-103. They have now won nine of their last 11 games and are only two games behind the second-ranked Suns in the West. Their 21 wins against teams in the conference are second only to the Suns.
Rockets at Clippers: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:50 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rockets +600 (bet $100 to win $600) | Clippers -900 (bet $900 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Rockets +13.5 (-110) | Clippers -13.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 224.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Rockets at Clippers: Key injuries
Rockets
- PG John Wall (rest) out
- PG Avery Bradley (knee) probable
- SG Eric Gordon (groin) out
- SF David Nwaba (wrist) out
- SF Danuel House (ankle) out
Clippers
- PF Serge Ibaka (back) out
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Rockets at Clippers: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Clippers 115, Rockets 100
Money line (ML)
Houston only has three wins in its last 30 games. The Clippers have won three in a row and nine of 11. This is an easy pick to bet. However, the pricing doesn’t make sense. Yes, the Clippers are as close to a sure thing as anything, but at -900, you have to wager nine times what you can potentially win. You are better off betting the spread or the total.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The Clippers have covered the spread in nine of their last 11 games. Eight of their last nine wins have been by double digits. They have the league’s fifth-highest cover percentage at 58.5%. Houston has fared much better against the spread lately. While the Rockets are a league-worst 17-34 against the spread, they are 3-2 ATS in their last five games, and they have covered the spread in three of the last four games their opponents are favored by double digits. But with Wall missing the game tonight, the Rockets won’t have the offensive firepower to keep up with L.A. Take the CLIPPERS -13.5 (-110).
Over/Under (O/U)
Houston’s over percentage this season is 40%, the fourth-lowest in the league. The Clippers are 29-23-1 O/U, but four of their last five games have gone under the total. They have allowed 105 or fewer points in five of their last six games. Take UNDER 224.5 POINTS (-105).
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