Clippers vs. Rockets NBA Preview and Pick

Rockets Without Harden on Friday

The Houston Rockets will be without NBA MVP James Harden when the take on the Los Angeles Clippers. Chris Paul returns from his two-game suspension to help out the cause. Friday, October 26 at 8:00 PM ET Toyota Center Odds: Rockets are a 4-point favorite. The total is at 218.5.

 

Los Angeles Clippers 

The Los Angeles Clippers haven’t been consistent early on but their two losses were by single digits. Tobias Harris led the way with 26 points, Danilo Gallinari had 24 points and Lou Williams added 17 points off the bench but it wasn’t enough. The Clippers lost 116-109 on the road against the Pelicans last Tuesday. Los Angeles was 41-for-87 from the field (47.1 percent) but they missed 15 of 20 3-pointers and turned the ball over 17 times. The Clippers are averaging 107.5 points per game, (21st in the NBA), they grab 47.8 rebounds per game (9th), dish out 20.5 assists per game (27th) and allow 106.8 points per game (9th). Tobias Harris leads the Clippers with 23.5 points and 8.5 rebounds. Danilo Gallinari averages 21.5 points and 7.0 rebounds. Lou Williams adds 15.0 points per game off the bench.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets look to get back on track after losing three of their first four games. That includes last Wednesday’s 100-89 home defeat against the Utah Jazz. James Harden scored 29 points and Carmelo Anthony finished with a season-high 22 for a Rockets team that was missing Chris Paul and James Ennis. The Jazz out-rebounded the Rockets 62-46 and they outscored Houston in the paint 48-36.  Houston shot just 40.2 percent from the field (35-for-87) 27.5 percent from beyond the arc (11-for-40). James Harden left the game in the fourth quarter and he has a Grade 1-plus left hamstring strain. Harden will miss at least the next two games. The Rockets are averaging 109.3 points per game (19th in the NBA), they grab 40.3 rebounds per game (28th), dish out 21.8 assists per game (21st) and allow 115.3 points per game (17th). James Harden leads the Rockets with 28.5 points and 9.0 assists, Chris Paul is averaging 23.5 points, 8.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds and Eric Gordon adds 15.5 points per game off the bench.

NBA Trends:

The Over is:  6-2 in Los Angeles’ last eight games playing on two days rest 12-5 in Los Angeles’ last 17 road games against a team with a home winning percentage of less than .400 7-3-1 in Los Angeles’ last 11 games following a straight up loss 10-4 in Houston’s last 14 games following a double-digit loss at home The Rockets have allowed 100 points or more in every game this season and unless they can turn up the heat, their defense may have a hard time with a Clippers team that already beat them 115-112 last Sunday.  The Clippers already proved they have enough depth and athleticism to run with the Rockets in the open court and make this a fast-paced affair. James Harden will miss this game but Chris Paul will come back from his suspension, so look for another high-scoring contest tonight. NBA Pick: Over 218.5 (-110) at Jazz Sports Check odds here: https://goo.gl/dVwAAb Odds as seen on ESPN Chalk: https://ac.topaffiliates.net/adcenter?bannercode=JAZZ000&affiliatecode=0CB7FE&campaign=0&p=h