Houston (18-9) at LA Clippers (21-8)
When: Thursday, December 19th, 2019
Where: Staples Center,
Los Angeles, CA
Time: 10:35 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Los Angeles -5.5/231.5
The NFL is done with the Thursday night schedule, so the NBA is taking advantage of that this week with two marquee matchups on TNT. The Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks will battle in the opener with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers finishing the night from Staples Center. The Rockets and Clippers have already played twice with the home team taking each contest. L.A. starts the night 3.5 games behind the Lakers for the top spot in the West, while Houston is fifth. The Rockets are 5-2 in their last seven games overall, but just 2-5 ATS, while the Clippers are 5-1 SU and ATS in their last six after a 120-99 home win over Phoenix on Tuesday. Houston set a franchise record by overcoming a 25-point deficit on Monday to post a 109-107 home win over the San Antonio Spurs. The Rockets allowed 72 first-half points to the Spurs but it clamped down in the second half to give up just 35. The last time these teams met in Los Angeles, it was the Clippers taking care of business with a healthy Paul George in the lineup for a 122-119 victory. The Rockets are 8-5 on the road so far this season despite losing against the Clippers in L.A. Houston is just 12-15 against the spread overall and 3-3 SU in games decided by three points or less. The Clippers are 14-1 at home and 13-5 against Western Conference opponents.
The Rockets started the year 11-3 but are just 7-6 in their last 13 games and haven’t won more than two games in a row in a month, and much of that can be contributed to a shaky defense. They’re giving up 113.8 points per game over their last 15, which ranks 21st in the NBA. James Harden had a game-high 47 points in the first meeting between these teams – a 102-93 victory at home. Russell Westbrook struggled from the field in both games against the Clippers this season, but so far this month, is averaging 24.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 2.0 steals. Reserve guard Ben McLemore scored 17 points against San Antonio and is averaging 17.3 over the past nine.
The Clippers had a slower start to the season than the Rockets, going 7-5 in their first 12 games, but they’ve been a powerhouse ever since. The win over Phoenix Tuesday marked their 14th win in their last 17 games. Los Angeles won that last meeting by three points despite Paul George and Kawhi Leonard combining to shoot just 13-of-31 from the floor. Sixth-man Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell combined for 44 points in that victory. Williams (calf) and point guard Patrick Beverley (concussion) both returned from two-game absences to play versus Phoenix and they’ll need them both against Houston. The Clippers recorded 14 steals against the Suns with forward Maurice Harkless accounting for four while George and guard Rodney McGruder each had three.
This seems like a lot of points to lay against this Rockets team, but the Clippers are playing much better ball of late and they’re at home. L.A. his holding opponents to just 40.3 percent over the last five games and the defense will be the difference tonight.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for Thursday. He is 32-22-2 on the season!
Pick: Clippers -5
Rockets are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games playing on 2 days rest.
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog.
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog.
Rockets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Rockets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Clippers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Clippers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Clippers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a home favorite.
Clippers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Clippers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games.
Clippers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite.
Clippers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Clippers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 10-2 in Rockets last 12 games as an underdog.
Under is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 8-3 in Rockets last 11 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 8-3 in Rockets last 11 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 8-3 in Rockets last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 5-2 in Rockets last 7 overall.
Under is 5-2 in Rockets last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Rockets last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 20-8 in Rockets last 28 Thursday games.
Under is 20-8 in Rockets last 28 road games.
Under is 36-15-1 in Rockets last 52 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 37-17-1 in Rockets last 55 games as a road underdog.
Under is 4-0 in Clippers last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
Under is 9-3 in Clippers last 12 games following a ATS win.
Under is 6-2 in Clippers last 8 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Clippers last 7 games following a straight up win.
Over is 7-3 in Clippers last 10 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 14-6 in Clippers last 20 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 9-4 in Clippers last 13 games as a home favorite.
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
