Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers: 3 Best Bets
The Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers are total opposites of one another. Houston, to their credit, signed veteran free agents to bolster a youth-centric roster. Los Angeles traded for a disgruntled former MVP to dubious results.
The Clippers have lost six straight games, but the margin of their defeat has been shrinking recently. Russell Westbrook has asked to come off the bench to contribute to future winning, which is a selfless act that his backcourt partner would simply refuse to do.
Much like the Clippers, Houston is on a six-game streak of their own, except theirs has found them near the top of the Western Conference. Momentum favors the Rockets.
Neither team is at full strength. Houston will be without Amen Thompson and Victor Oladipo, and the Clippers will trot out a lineup missing Mason Plumlee and Brandon Boston Jr.
Alperen Şengün guards Nikola Jokic in a surprise win over the Denver Nuggets.
Thomas Shea-USA TODAY
With the injury report affecting both teams, let’s look at the odds and picks, courtesy of SI Sportsbook.
The Lines
Point spread: Clippers -7.5 (-118)/Rockets +7.5 (-118)
Moneyline: Clippers (-300)/Rockets (+220)
Over/under: 219.5
Our Picks
Safe pick: Alperen Şengün OVER 16.5 points (-133)
Not a value pick by any means, but definitely a safe bet to make. Şengün has finished under this line only twice in the entire season, and five days of rest since the last game should only boost his offensive production. Yes, the Clippers have elite defenders in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, but ever since they added James Harden, their overall defense has gone down. Expect Şengün to have a great offensive night.
Parlay pick: Rockets to win, Kawhi Leonard UNDER 22.5 points, James Harden UNDER 18.5 points (+650)
This is the first parlay we have suggested this season, and what better atmosphere to make things more fun than a James Harden matchup? Since joining LA, Harden has only scored 19 or more points once, as he is still getting a feel for the offense. Since teaming up with The Beard, Leonard has averaged only 18 points, so his getting to 23 will be a big ask. Of course, Houston is hot and Los Angeles is not, so Houston winning is a safe third leg.
Instigator pick: Dillon Brooks OVER 10.5 points (-133)
Dillon Brooks has mostly been praised for his defense since entering the NBA, but he is averaging a nice 13.7 points this season. With George and Leonard likely focusing their efforts on Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet, maybe even Şengün, Brooks should be open a bit more than usual, allowing for him to break his scoring slump from the last three games.
