The Houston Rockets (52-27) will visit the Los Angeles Clippers (47-32) in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Clippers are 10.5-point favorites over the Rockets on the spread (Clippers -10.5), with the over/under set at 219.5 total points. Los Angeles is a -500 favorite to win outright, while Houston is +375 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Rockets vs. Clippers predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, April 9.
Rockets vs Clippers Prediction, Picks
My Clippers vs, Rockets best bet is on Under 219.5, with the best line currently available at BetMGM. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
My Pick: Under 219.5 (-110)
Rockets vs Clippers Betting Odds
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -110 | 219.5 -110o / -110u | +375 |
| Clippers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -110 | 219.5 -110o / -110u | -500 |
- Rockets vs. Clippers spread: Clippers -10.5
- Rockets vs. Clippers over/under: 219.5 total points
- Rockets vs. Clippers moneyline: Rockets -500, Clippers +375
- Rockets vs. Clippers best bet: Under 219.5 (-110)
Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Clippers NBA Preview
The Clippers defeated the Spurs 122-117 last night, and it was an important victory on multiple fronts. They improved to 18-3 over their last 21 games and are now fourth in the ever-congested Western Conference playoff race. However, they were also able to win without Kawhi Leonard on the front end of a back-to-back. That means he will be available when they welcome another Texas foe to the Intuit Dome in the Houston Rockets.
Since the All-Star break, Leonard is averaging 24.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.9 steals, and is shooting 51.6% from the field. The team's other all-star, James Harden, led the way with 21 points, nine rebounds, and 12 assists last night. He has scored 20 points in 15 of his last 20 games and dished out 10 assists in three of his last four games. However, points may be hard to come by against his former team.
Since trading Harden in 2020, the Rockets had not made the playoffs entering this season. However, that drought came to an end this season. In fact, last night's Lakers loss to the Thunder clinched the second seed for the Rockets. Houston has surged of late, winning 15 of its last 17 games- including over Oklahoma City and Houston in its last two.
Houston held the Thunder and Warriors to 103.5 points per game in those victories. Its defense has been elite all season, led by Amen Thompson, Dillon Brooks, and Tari Eason. With their depth, the Rockets have seven double-digit scorers, so it can be anyone's night. However, Jalen Green leads the way at 21.6 points per game. He had 31 points in his last game against the Clippers, and he may look to have a big performance back in his home state.
The NBA Playoffs start in 10 days, and this game could provide a preview in terms of a possible matchup and defensive intensity. The Clippers and Rockets rank fourth and fifth in scoring defense and second and third in defensive rating over their past 15 games.
In recent games against other defensive-minded teams, neither the Clippers nor Magic reached 100 points last Monday, while their game against the Thunder had 204 points. While Houston's recent win over the Thunder soared over, its game against the Warriors had just 202 points.
Tonight's total is 219.5, and the Clippers are playing on the second night of a back-to-back—albeit with no travel. The Under has hit in six of the last 10 meetings between these teams, and I expect that trend to continue tonight.
With the under in mind, I am looking at rebounds in addition to backing Leonard. Thompson has recorded six rebounds in eight of his last 10 games overall and three of his last four games against the Clippers. Alperen Sengun has had 10 rebounds in six of his last 10 games, including 14 in two of his last three games. He has had 10 rebounds in four straight games against the Clippers.
With 20 rebounds last night, Ivica Zubac has recorded 10 rebounds in 19 of his last 20 games. Leonard has been strong on the glass himself, but he has averaged 28 points in his last three games against the Rockets. That should make him a strong bet to score 20 points tonight, which he has done in 18 of his last 20 games.
Rockets vs Clippers Betting Prediction
- Under 219.5 (-110)
Rockets vs Clippers Parlay Picks
- Kawhi Leonard 20+ Points
- Alperen Sengun 10+ Rebounds
- Ivica Zubac 10+ Rebounds
- Amen Thompson 6+ Rebounds
Parlay Payout: +275
Clippers vs. Rockets Betting Trends
