James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers are surging, having won eight of 11. Tonight, they host Harden's former team, the Houston Rockets at the Intuit Dome at 9 p.m. ET.
And while Houston has been one of the West's best, our Rockets vs. Clippers predictions don't think L.A. should be a home underdog and will play within the 3.5-point spread.
Continue reading for our free NBA picks on Sunday, December 8.
Rockets vs. Clippers prediction
My best bet
Clippers +3.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
With Paul George being shipped out in the offseason and Kawhi Leonard sidelined, expectations reached rock bottom for the Los Angeles Clippers heading into the season.
But between Most Improved Player-worthy play from Norman Powell and James Harden scoring at levels he hasn't seen in three seasons, the Clippers have played to a 14-10 record which includes a 9-5 mark from the new Intuit Dome.
And tonight, the 15-9 Houston Rockets, who have surprised many to start the season, come to town.
But Houston has struggled on the road (6-5), a continuation of last year's massive home-road splits in which it went 27-14 at home and 14-27 on the highway. The Rockets took the first two games of the season series, but both were in Houston.
Making matters harder for the Rockets is Los Angeles ranks sixth in defensive rating on the season. Houston has gone 2-3 against teams inside the Top 5 in the category. One of those wins came in overtime and the other by just a three-point margin.
Rockets vs Clippers same-game parlay
Clippers +3.5
James Harden Over 23.5 points
Alperen Sengun Under 10.5 rebounds
Whether or not Harden plays with any extra juice against his former team is unknown, but we do know the Rockets have allowed the seventh-most points to opposing point guards.
He failed to clear tonight's mark of 23.5 in both of the previous meetings this season, but the usage was certainly there with him notching 16 and 14 field-goal attempts and five and four free-throw attempts, respectively.
On the other side of the matchup, Alperen Sengun may have a hard time on the glass going against the Clippers' bigs as they've allowed the fourth-fewest rebounds to the position.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Rockets vs Clippers odds
Rockets vs Clippers live odds
Rockets vs Clippers opening odds
- Spread: Houston -1 (-110)| Los Angeles +1 (-110)
- Moneyline: Houston -120 | Los Angeles +100
- Over/Under: Over 215 (-110) | Under 215 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Rockets vs Clippers spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Clippers' surprising start has led to the second-best cover rate in the year at 66.7% (16-8).
- Houston is just behind them at 15-8 ATS, but has gone just 6-5 ATS on the road.
- Los Angeles is the league's best Under team at 14-9-1 and has gone 9-5 to the Under at home.
- The Rockets have gone a dead even 11-11-1 on totals this year.
Rockets vs Clippers trend
Tonight's total of 213.5 is the lowest the Rockets have seen all year, and the Clippers have gone 3-1 to the Under in totals at or below that number. Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs Clippers.
How to watch Rockets vs Clippers
| Location: | Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA |
| Date: | Sunday, 12-8-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Space City Home Network, FanDuel Sports Network - SoCal |
Rockets vs Clippers latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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