Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview
Where: Staples Center – Los Angeles, California
When: Monday, April 10, 2017, 10:30 PM ET
Line: Houston Rockets (+8) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (-8); total: 229.5 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TNT
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Betting on the Houston Rockets (54-26)
The Houston Rockets have started resting their stars ahead of the playoffs. Patrick Beverley, Trevor Ariza, and Eric Gordon all had the night off in last night’s 135-128 win over the Sacramento Kings. However, James Harden is still playing for some reason. Harden had another stellar performance with 35 points, 11 rebounds, and 15 assists in last night’s win.
Ryan Anderson had 21 points on 6-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc in his second game back from an ankle injury. Clint Capela had 18 points, while guards Lou Williams and Bobby Brown combined for 34 points off the bench.
It remains to be seen whether head coach Mike D’Antoni will continue playing Harden, especially on the second night of a back-to-back, or their other starters. The last time the Rockets played without their MVP candidate, they still went on to win 123-116 over the Phoenix Suns. Four players scored 20 points in that game, including Rockets debutante Troy Williams (21 points, 7-12 FG, 6-9 3-PT FG).
Betting on the Los Angeles Clippers (49-31)
The Los Angeles Clippers still have a lot to play for this late in the season. They can secure home-court advantage for their first-round series if they win their last two games or if the Jazz slip up. The Clips have won five games in a row, three of which have come by nine or more points. However, they’re just 2-2-1 ATS during that stretch.
The Clips are coming off a very good 98-87 win over the Spurs in San Antonio. Chris Paul led the way with 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists, while DeAndre Jordan had 17 points and 17 rebounds in the win. Blake Griffin had a quiet 18 points and 8 boards, but he had been putting up 31.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists over his previous four games. CP3 has also been on fire, averaging 25 and 11 over his last five.
LA will be catching Houston in a very good spot. It’ll be the back-end of a back-to-back for the Rockets, who might decide to rest their top players. That would certainly be good news for the Clippers, who have had a lot of trouble against Harden and the Rockets in recent years. They’re just 2-9 (SU and ATS) in their last nine meetings, including 1-3 in their last four at Staples Center.
Writer’s Prediction
The Clippers (-8) make it six in a row as the top the under-strength Rockets at home.
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