The Houston Rockets look to climb out of an early hole they built to start the season when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers at 10:30 p.m. ET on Monday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles to cap a full NBA schedule on Halloween. Continue reading below to get our best Houston Rockets vs LA Clippers betting stats and much more.
The Rockets (1-6) were expected to be one of the league’s worst teams, but the Clippers (2-4) are surprisingly off to a bad start, too. But there is still plenty of time for either team to make a run.
Rockets odds are +9.5 and +350 on the moneyline. Clippers picks today may include -9.5 and -450 on the moneyline. The over/under is set at 223.5 points.
Here is a full breakdown of Rockets vs Clippers betting stats ahead of an important early season matchup.
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Houston Rockets Stats
For as poor as the Rockets have played, including going 0-5 on the road, Houston is 4-3 against the spread already.
There has been a degree of competitiveness during their NBA matchups this season, but they’ve lost two straight against the spread, so perhaps oddsmakers are figuring them out. There is a lot of room for improvement for the young Rockets.
Rockets’ Offense
They are 23rd offensively in scoring 109.9 points per game and have the league’s worst shooting efficiency at 42.2% from the field. They are also 21st in 3-point percentage, converting 34.6% of such shots.
Defensively, they allow 119.6 points per game, the sixth-worst rate in the league. They are also league-worst in efficiency, allowing opponents to convert 49.7% of field goal attempts and 36.4% of 3-point attempts, which ranks 19th.
They are a quality rebounding team, securing 47.1 rebounds per game to rank sixth. They limit opponents to 45.4 per contest, which ranks 20th.
Kevin Porter Jr.
The Rockets made an investment in Kevin Porter Jr., and the young wing is delivering, averaging 21.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, according to NBA player stats.
Jalen Green has fared well as the second option, and rookie Jabari Smith Jr. is still getting acclimated but is scoring 13.0 points per game to go with 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.
Houston figures to be without rookie point guard TyTy Washington Jr, who is out indefinitely with a knee injury; veteran forward Bruno Fernando, who is out until late November with a knee injury; and veteran guard Eric Gordon, who is questionable with a groin injury and averages 15.0 points per game, per the NBA injury report.
Los Angeles Clippers Stats
Since acquiring a pair of stars, the Clippers have been strong defensively. That rings true to start this season as they are allowing 109.3 points per game, which ranks sixth, and are highly efficient on that end.
They hold opponents to 44% shooting from the field and 32.7% from the 3-point line. Each of those ranks fifth.
Their challenges have been on the offensive end this year. The Clippers are scoring 100.7 points per game, the worst rate in the league.
Though they are converting 46.4% of field goal attempts which is 19th, it comes with the fourth-worst 3-point percentage rate of 31.5%. They also are 23rd in free throw percentage at 73%.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue is really spreading out his minutes this year with 12 players in the regular rotation, partly due to players resting.
Performance Recap
Paul George has been reliable, though, as he is scoring 19.0 points per game to go with 6.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while being the only player to average more than 30 minutes per game, according to NBA player stats.
Looking at Rockets vs Clippers betting stats an hour and a half before tip-off is the smart move. The NBA injury report shows some key Clippers may not play.
Veterans’ Performance
Veteran two-way forward Kawhi Leonard is questionable with a knee injury. Veteran forward Robert Covington is questionable with an illness. Veteran point guard, and former Rocket, John Wall is doubtful Monday due to rest.
It has to be a frustrating situation for the Clippers to manage between letting players rest to stay healthy for the long season and building continuity with lineups always changing.
But the Clippers expect to be playing in the playoffs, and that won’t happen if they can’t beat the Oklahoma City Thunder as 5.5 and 7-point favorites, regardless of who is in the lineup alongside George.
Rockets vs. Clippers Matchup Betting Trends
- The Clippers have lost five straight games against the spread and four straight overall. Four of those against the spread losses were as favorites
- Maybe the best of the Rockets vs Clippers betting picks would be the over, which is 6-0 when the NBA teams have played in Los Angeles the last six games
- Neither team has won in this setting, as the Clippers are 0-2 at home and the Rockets are 0-5 on the road this season
Rockets vs. Clippers Matchup Predictions
The Clippers have been the better team of late, but the Rockets have historically been better, winning 124 of the 209 regular season matchups to the Clippers’ 85 wins.
But the Clippers have won three straight and six of the last seven in the series and are 4-3 against the spread in those meetings.
The key to predicting Rockets vs Clippers betting stats on Halloween is checking the injury report. Suppose Leonard is in the lineup; that should allow the Clippers to win and cover with relative ease.
But they’ve shown their struggles with and without him in the lineup. Gordon is another wildcard for the Rockets because of his veteran presence and great scoring ability shown early on this season.
Given the issues each team has faced early in the season and the status of key players Monday, it could be a spooky result. But we’ll expect the Rockets to again cover +9.5 and the Clippers to end their four-game losing streak.
Who to Bet On?
It will be a difficult ending to a relatively fun holiday for NBA fans if things were to go downhill and the Clippers suffer another disappointing loss.
They have several key veterans, Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris, and Luke Kennard, who were solid in leading the team last season, which should give the Clippers a boost.
NBA Pick: Clippers -9.5 (-110)