Los Angeles Clippers at Houston Rockets NBA Picks & Predictions 12/22/2017

Friday, December 22, 2017

Toyota Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Los Angeles Clippers travel to Toyota Center to play the Houston Rockets on Friday, December 22, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 11.5 point favorites.

The Clippers head into this matchup with a mark of 12-18. They are 2nd in the Pacific Division. They currently have a point differential of -2.1 as they are averaging 103.5 points per contest while giving up 105.6 per game. The Rockets have an overall mark of 25-5. They currently are 1st in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 115.3 points per contest and giving up 104.6, which is a point differential of 10.7.

Valuable Los Angeles Clippers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Clippers are 15-15-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Clippers are 13-16-1 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 16-13-1 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 16-14-0 against the over/under

Key Los Angeles Clippers Injuries

12/21/17 F Wesley Johnson Foot is "?" Friday vs Houston
12/12/17 F Danilo Gallinari Gluteus is out indefinitely
11/28/17 F Blake Griffin MCL is out indefinitely
11/22/17 PG Patrick Beverley Knee is out for season

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

12/21/17 PG Chris Paul Groin injured last game, is doubtful Friday vs LA Clippers
12/20/17 C Clint Capela Calf is "?" Friday vs LA Clippers
12/14/17 F Luc Mbah a Moute Shoulder is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

DeAndre Jordan comes into this contest averaging 11.1 points per game while playing 32.5 minutes per night so far this season for the Clippers. He pulls down 15 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 65% while his free throw percentage is currently at 54%. Lou Williams averages 19.8 points per game in 30.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.8 assists per contest and 2.7 rebounds per game for Los Angeles. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 90%.

Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 31.9 points per game while playing 36.1 minutes per contest this year for the Rockets. He grabs 5.1 rebounds per game and has 9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 86%. Eric Gordon averages 19.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 2 rebounds per contest and 2.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles averages 103.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 18th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.17 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 20th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 43.8 rebounds per game and 20.4 assists per game, which ranks them 14th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 12th with 15 per game. The Clippers allow 105.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 17th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 15th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44 rebounds a game which ranks 23rd and they give up 23.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 14.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 2nd in the league with 115.3 points per game this year. They are 9th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 10.7. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They are 11th in the league in rebounding with 44.3 boards per game, and 13th in assists per contest with 22.6. The Rockets are 11th in turnovers per game with 15.3. The Rockets surrender 104.6 points per contest, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 18th and 14th in those defensive statistics. They rank 10th with 21.9 assists allowed per contest and 2nd with 40.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 19th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.2 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Clippers are 16th in the league in defensive rating with 108.8, and their offensive rating of 106.6 is ranked 11th. They are 17th in the NBA in pace with 96.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 20th. As a unit they are 20th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 11th in the NBA. Los Angeles is 15th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 17th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 14th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.8 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 12th in the league. The Rockets are 1st in the NBA in offensive rating with 116, and their defensive rating of 105.2 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 8th in the league with 99.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% is 2nd. As a team they are 2nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 61% and they shoot 3-pointers on 52% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league.

Who will win tonight's Clippers/Rockets NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles +11.5

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