NBA: Rockets vs Clippers Predictions:
NBA Basketball betting sees the Houston Rockets taking on the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday May 8 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NBA playoffs long.
The series is tied as it moves to Los Angeles. Both teams can make a play to take command and it looks like Chris Paul is back.
Bet on NBA Hoops
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets
Friday May 8
10:30PM
Staples Center – Los Angeles, CA
NBA Betting Line: Los Angeles -4.5
NBA Betting Total: 217
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Houston
The Rockets were desperate for a rebound win and they got it on Wednesday against L.A. Things were looking pretty bleak and if they had lost for a second time in a row against the Clippers without Chris Paul the series would have been pretty much over.
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Now they come to L.A. with a split and hopefully an awakened James Harden. Any game where he is the best player on the court the Rockets have a chance.
This team just doesn’t have a great wealth of options for playoff scoring.
Houston was parading back and forth to the free throw line in game two, a combination of trying to exploit their weakness and lazy defense. Amazingly they shot 64 free throws including 21 by Dwight Howard, who made just 8. James Harden was 150 for 15 from the charity stripe and scored a team high 32 points.
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He can still be better but at least in this game he was being much more aggressive.
Los Angeles
Game two was a wild one. Coming off their game one victory the Clippers stunk in the first quarter but then went on an amazing run to take a big lead.
Ultimately the Rockets went on a run to take the game late – it was a roller coaster so you have to wonder if there might be any lingering effects of the result.
The good news is that they split the first two on the road without Paul. By all accounts it looks like he will be back in the lineup tonight. The question is for how long with that tight hammy.
With Paul out Austin Rivers has been in the starting lineup. In game one he was solid but in game two the moment looked a little much for the coach’s son.
With Pail back hopefully he can provide some lift off the bench because they really are not getting much there from anybody that is not Jamal Crawford.
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Blake Griffin continues to have an amazing playoff he scored a game high 34 points in G2.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Over is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Over is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Over is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Over is 4-0 in Clippers last 4 games following a ATS win.
- Under is 10-1 in Clippers last 11 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
- Clippers are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 home games.
- Rockets are 2-8 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
- Under is 21-7 in the last 28 meetings in Los Angeles.
- Rockets are 16-7 ATS in the last 23 meetings in Los Angeles.
NBA Betting Prediction: Los Angeles -4.5
With the series heading to L.A. and Paul back in the mix I think the Clippers will take command with a victory.
NBA Score Prediction: Los Angeles 107 – Houston 99
The number is smaller than I expected.
