Game: Houston Rockets @ Los Angeles Clippers
Time: 10:30 p.m.
Odds: Rockets +8, Clippers -8
Total: 218.5
After defeating the reigning champion Denver Nuggets, the Houston Rockets will take on the Los Angeles Clippers on the road tonight to resume NBA in-season tournament action. After defeating Denver 107-104 at home on Sunday, the Rockets’ winning streak now stands at six games. They had a nice four-day break before beginning a three-game trip to California, which starts with the Clippers tonight
In the in-season tournament play standings for West Group B, Houston leads 1-0 while Los Angeles is 0-2. Another win would almost ensure that the Rockets advance to the knockout round. Houston will play as the underdog tonight. LA is favored to win by eight points.
From the beginning of the 2020–21 season, the Rockets had only managed 59 victories over the preceding three seasons. Under new head coach Ime Udoka, the Rockets have thrived this season despite a 0–3 start. With the six straight wins, the Rockets are now 6-3.
Houston’s top player, Alperen Sengun, averages 19.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. With all five starters scoring at least 12.3 points per game, this is a well-rounded team led by Fred VanVleet, who leads the Rockets with 7.9 assists.
Before play on Thursday, the Rockets’ are allowing 105.8 points per game, which is third-best in the NBA. Houston leads the league in 3-point percentage defense allowed to opponents. They are holding teams to 32.3 percent shooting from behind the arc.
On Sunday, the Rockets had a 98-88 lead with 3:49 left, but the Nuggets closed the gap to one point with 19.5 seconds left. In the final seconds, the Rockets made 4-of-6 free throws.
The Clippers are in desperate need of a win. They are 0-5 since acquiring James Harden in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers and are currently on a six-game losing run. The quartet of Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden maintains that the team is almost ready to put everything together. In their most recent game, the Clippers played the Nuggets tough on Tuesday, but they lost 111-108 in Denver.
The Clippers will reportedly add Daniel Theis to the roster. He accepted an Indiana Pacers contract buyout and will serve as a replacement for backup big man Mason Plumlee. Plumlee will be sidelined for an extended period of time due to a knee injury. Guard Josh Primo was reportedly converted by Los Angeles to a standard contract.
The Clippers appear to be improving after an embarrassing 144-126 road loss to the Dallas Mavericks last Friday. LA has held its previous two opponents to an average of 108 points per game. However, since Harden’s arrival, the Clippers have only scored 105 points per game.
In addition to six straight wins, Houston is also 5-0-1 ATS in its last six games. The Rockets are 3-14 SU in their last 17 games and 0-7 in their last seven against the Clippers.
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