Six games weren’t enough to decide who between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Houston Rockets will advance to the Western Conference finals. On Sunday, everything will be settled as the Clippers travel to Houston for a high-pressure Game 7. Will the Clippers avoid a collapse and win Game 7? Or will the Rockets complete a series comeback? Read on for our preview of this do-or-die Game 7.
You can also click here for the preview of Game 6 of the NBA Playoffs series between the Wizards and the Hawks.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets Predictions Game 7 Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 – Los Angeles Clippers 117 at Houston Rockets 101
Game 2 – Los Angeles Clippers 109 at Houston Rockets 115
Game 3 – Houston Rockets 99 at Los Angeles Clippers 124
Game 4 – Houston Rockets 95 at Los Angeles Clippers 128
Game 5 – Los Angeles Clippers 103 at Houston Rockets 124
Game 6 – Houston Rockets 119 at Los Angeles Clippers 107
Game 7* – May 17, TBD – Los Angeles Clippers at Houston Rockets– view all NBA lines
*If necessary
Betting on the Los Angeles Clippers
To say that the Clippers were stunned at what transpired in Game 6 is an understatement. Up by 13 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Clippers appeared to be on their way to booking a trip to their franchise’s first ever conference final. But an inability to contain Houston’s scorers paired with dreadful offense in the fourth period led to LA’s collapse, losing to the Rockets, 119-107.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Led by Blake Griffin, who finished with a game-high 30 points, the Clippers shot an impressive 49.3 percent (24-for-49) from the field for the first three quarters. The fourth quarter told a different story, however, as the Clips shot 4-for-22 (18.2 FG%) from the field.
The Clippers can’t afford to be as bad on offense this coming Sunday. Griffin, JJ Redick, and Chris Paul—the three combined for 3-for-14 from the field in the fourth quarter of Game 6—must be able to knock down their shots consistently in order for them to avoid Houston’s crowd from being a factor in Game 7.
Thus far this postseason, Griffin is the Clips’ top scorer with 25.4 points per game. Redick and Paul, meanwhile, are averaging 21.7 and 15.2 points, respectively.
Los Angeles must also find a way to keep Houston from dominating the boards. The Rockets outrebounded LA in Game 6, 60-41. They also scored 26 second-chance points in that game, thus putting extra pressure on DeAndre Jordan to keep Dwight Howard and company off the glass next game. Jordan is grabbing 13.1 rebounds per game this postseason, while Griffin is not far behind with 12.8 boards a game.
The Clippers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 trips to Houston.
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Betting on the Houston Rockets
The Rockets are still kicking. Houston looked like a team primed for a humiliating playoff exit after its 128-95 loss to the Clippers in Game 4. But back-to-back wins following that loss gave the Rockets a chance to play a Game 7 at home this coming Sunday. The Rockets are 8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games.
The Rockets’ miraculous win in Game 6 was largely due to the efforts of role players Corey Brewer and Josh Smith. The duo simply had rocket fuel in their veins, as they combined for 29 points in a furious fourth-quarter Houston rally. Each player finished the game with 19 points apiece.
What made the Rockets’ rally even more amazing was the fact that James Harden barely played in the fourth quarter. Harden finished the game with 23 points but struggled mightily with his shot. Harden went just 5-for-20 from the field, but was perfect from the charity stripe, 11-for-11.
Houston needs Harden to be in top form come Game 7. The Rockets are still a team that will go as far as where Harden takes them. Harden is the Rockets’ top scorer these playoffs, averaging 26.3 points per game. Of course, it will be a big boost if Brewer and Smith continue to provide ample scoring support.
Brewer has scored 34 total points over the last two Rockets’ games. Smith, meanwhile, has 28 points during the same stretch. Smith has clearly elevated his play these playoffs. He’s been a valuable asset for Houston on both sides of the floor, as evidenced by his team-best +3.8 net rating (offensive rating-defensive rating) this postseason.
Writer’s Prediction
LA wins, 108-105.
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