Houston’s James Harden may be making headlines in his bid for this season’s MVP, but he’s been pretty tame against the Los Angeles Clippers. Harden will have a chance to break through against the Clips when they visit Houston for an explosive Western Conference clash.
Wednesday is hot on Western Conference matchups. Check out our complete previews of the Lakers vs. Jazz and Spurs vs. Blazers and read on for everything you need to know heading into Clippers-Rockets.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets Preview
Where: Toyota Center, Houston
When: Wednesday, February 25, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Los Angeles Clippers at Houston Rockets – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers’ four game win streak was snapped with a 90-87 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. Chris Paul lit up the scoreboard with a game-high 30 points on 13-of-22 shooting. He also dished out 10 assists to lead the team’s offensive effort. DeAndre Jordan narrowly missed out on a double-double with nine points and 17 rebounds against Memphis’ talented frontcourt.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Jordan may pack more of a scoring punch against Houston, though. With the Rockets’ center Dwight Howard still missing time while recovering from injury, Jordan may be able to dominate inside like he has prior to Monday’s loss. He averaged 20.8 points and 20 rebounds to power the Clippers through their four-game winning run.
The Clippers may also enjoy some success from three-point range at Houston. Shooting guards J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford combined for seven three-pointers in their previous trip to Toyota Center on November 28.
With several weapons all across the floor, expect Paul to rack up the assists. He has averaged 11.7 dimes in his last six games against the Rockets.
Los Angeles has won its last six games against Houston, both straight up and against the spread.
Betting on the Houston Rockets
James Harden took a little time to get hot, so he fed his teammates the ball first in a 113-102 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Harden finished with his second triple-double of the season with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. He also had a career-high tying four blocks to contribute on the other side of the court.
Harden has made quite a living from the free-throw line converting 31-of-38 attempts since the All-Star break. He leads the league in free-throw attempts this season with 531. That’s 154 more than the second-placed Jimmy Butler.
The Rockets guard has struggled to get on the line against the Clippers, though. He has just 11 attempts from the charity stripe in two blowout losses to Los Angeles this season. He has also struggled from the field against the Clippers, averaging 12.5 points on 33 percent shooting in two games this season.
Josh Smith may be a valuable weapon for the Rockets off the bench. He had 21 points on 8-of-17 shooting (2-of-7 on three-point attempts) in a February 11 loss to the Clippers.
Trevor Ariza could also go off with his three-point shooting. He went 3-for-7 from downtown in a home loss to Los Angeles on November 28. Ariza has shot 41 percent from three-point range in five home games this month.
The Rockets have gone 8-2 SU/ATS in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Clippers blowout Houston once again. Create a betting account now and put all your picks to the test.
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