Clippers vs. Rockets Betting Line – Latest NBA Odds for February 25
Carrie Stroup here with your Clippers vs. Rockets betting line and all the latest NBA odds for February 25 courtesy of Sportsbook.ag.
Sportsbook.ag Line: Houston -3.5, Total: 215.5
Two of the most exciting teams in the NBA, the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets, matchup in what should be a high-scoring battle at Toyota Center tonight.
Many have criticized the Clippers this year with the adage that they are not fit to make a run deep into the playoffs, but they have responded recently with SU and ATS victories in four of their last five contests. They won three of the games by 15 or more points as they put up 117.5 PPG in the wins but most recently took a narrow defeat at the hands of Memphis on Monday night. It was a tight one throughout, but the Grizzlies were able to hold off L.A. in a 90-87 win on the road where the Clippers were giving 3.5 points. Only two players on Los Angeles had double-digit points as they got to the charity stripe just 12 times, making eight (67% FT) and allowed their opponent to make 19-of-26 (73%) from the free-throw line.
Houston’s season has been riddled by injuries up and down its rotation, but they have been able to shake them off and have grabbed a win in five of its last eight contests both SU and ATS. It has been all James Harden who is leading this team to their solid play and that was evident in their last outing when they defeated the Timberwolves and won by a score of 113-102 as eight-point favorites at home behind a triple-double from “The Beard”. Overall, the Rockets held Minnesota to a putrid 33.3% shooting from the floor and forced 20 turnovers as the offense poured in 12 three-pointers and had six players reach double-digit scoring.
The road has not been a welcome place for this L.A. team and they are a mere 14-12 SU (10-16 ATS) when playing away games as they face a Houston group which is a phenomenal 20-8 SU (18-10 ATS) at home. The Clippers have had no issues winning the first two games against the Rockets this year as they have scored 106.0 PPG and won by an average of 16.0 PPG. Their latest win was the sixth straight against this opponent as they have covered in each one of the contests and scored at least 100 points each time.
Some trends to keep an eye on include that Houston is a mere 16-33 ATS (33%) after two straight games where it allowed a shooting percentage of 39% or less since 1996 and Los Angeles is just 11-21 ATS (34%) after three straight games committing 14 or less turnovers this season. The big injury for this matchup comes from the Clippers who continue to be without PF Blake Griffin (Elbow) indefinitely and the Rockets still don’t have C Dwight Howard (Knee) back and could be without the services of PG Patrick Beverly (Illness) who missed Monday’s game and is day-to-day.
As usual, the Clippers have had no trouble scoring the basketball and are putting up 106.9 PPG (2nd in league) behind some solid shooting (47.3% FG, 2nd in league). Unfortunately, their defense has been inconsistent and has allowed opponents to make 45% of their attempts, leading to 100.7 PPG allowed (9th-worst in league).
PG Chris Paul (17.9 PPG, 9.8 APG, 4.8 RPG, 1.9 SPG) has a double-double in five of the team’s last six games and picked up the scoring from Griffin’s absence in Monday’s loss with 30 points on 13-of-22 shooting (59% FG). He’s had some issues in the two victories against Houston, though, going for 11.0 PPG (33% FG) with 9.5 APG and 3.5 SPG.
C DeAndre Jordan (11.0 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 2.3 BPG, 1.0 SPG) has been an absolute monster on the boards, grabbing 16.4 RPG over nine February games and went for 20 or more three times over that period. One of those performances came against this Rockets group when he went off for 24 points, 20 rebounds, three steals and two blocks in a game where he was just 12-of-26 from the free-throw line.
SG Jamal Crawford (16.3 PPG, 1.0 SPG) continues to be a tremendous scoring two-guard for this club and has hit double-digit points in each of the February games, averaging 19.8 PPG (40% FG) in that time. He has scored 20 or more points in each of the matchups with Houston this year and his offensive output will be integral if his team wants to win its seventh straight game against this opponent.
The Rockets have put forth a solid offensive effort all year long and currently have the sixth-best scoring offense with 103.2 PPG as they make a mere 43.8% of their shots (9th-worst in league). They have also been solid on the other side of the ball, allowing opponents to score 99.6 PPG on 44.1% shooting (11th in league).
SG James Harden (27.3 PPG, 6.8 APG, 5.8 RPG, 2.0 SPG) can basically win a game single-handedly and he proved that with a triple-double (31 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) and four blocks in the win over the Timberwolves on Monday. He’s had some trouble against the Clips this year, making just 8-of-24 shots (33% FG) for 12.5 PPG and has added 6.0 APG with 2.5 SPG.
SF Trevor Ariza (12.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.0 SPG) continues to struggle with his shooting stroke, making a meager 10 threes over the last five games despite taking 37 attempts (27% 3PM). Overall on the year he is making just 37.7% of his field goal attempts and went 9-for-26 (35% FG) with 13.0 PPG in the two games against Los Angeles this season.
SF Josh Smith (12.5 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 1.2 SPG) has been on a recent tear, scoring 14 or more points in six of the last seven games (15.9 PPG) and is coming off a solid all-around effort (17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block) against Minnesota. He was huge in his one game facing the Clippers as a member of the Rockets, going for a double-double (21 points, 13 rebounds) and adding four assists, two blocks and a steal.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
