Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Clippers NBA Picks & Predictions 10/21/2018

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Staples Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Houston Rockets travel to Staples Center to play the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, October 21, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Los Angeles as 1 point favorites.

The Rockets have a regular season record of 0-1. They are 5th in the Southwest Division. They have a point differential of -19 as they average 112 points per game while giving up 131 per contest. The Clippers have an overall mark of 1-1. They currently are 3rd in the Pacific Division. They total 103 points per contest and give up 99.5, which is a point differential of 3.5.

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 0-1-0 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 1-0-0 against the over/under

Important Los Angeles Clippers Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Clippers are 1-1-0 against the spread

The Los Angeles Clippers are 0-2-0 against the over/under

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

10/20/18 PG Brandon Knight Knee is out indefinitely
10/17/18 C Nene Calf is questionable Saturday vs LA Lakers
10/11/18 F Marquese Chriss Ankle is out indefinitely

Key Los Angeles Clippers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

James Harden comes into this contest averaging 18 points per game while playing 35 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 9 rebounds per game and dishes out 10 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 75%. Chris Paul averages 19 points per game in 32 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6 assists per contest and 5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Tobias Harris averages 22.5 points per game while playing 39 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 10 rebounds per game and has 2.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 64%. Lou Williams averages 15.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 25.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 1 rebound per contest and 3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 36% and his free throw percentage is 92%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 112 points per contest this season, which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -19 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 23rd. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 20th in the league. They average 37 rebounds per game and 21 assists per game, which ranks them 29th and 21st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 25th with 11 per game. The Rockets allow 131 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 29th in the league. They also allow a 53% shooting percentage and a 40% average from behind the arc, ranking them 27th and 24th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 54 rebounds a game which ranks 26th and they give up 36 assists per contest, which puts them in 30th place in the league. They force 12 turnovers per game which ranks them 8th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Los Angeles is 27th in the league with 103 points per game this year. They are 24th in the league in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is 3.5. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 15th in the NBA. They are 15th in the league in rebounding with 47 boards per game, and 23rd in assists per contest with 21. The Clippers are 19th in turnovers per game with 13. The Clippers surrender 99.5 points per contest, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 37% shooting percentage and a 26% average from 3-point range, ranking them 1st and 3rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 3rd with 19 assists allowed per contest and 27th with 54 rebounds surrendered per game. The Clippers were 5th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 11 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 15th in the league in defensive rating with 127.2, and their offensive rating of 108.8 is ranked 29th. They are 11th in the NBA in pace with 103 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 14th. As a unit they are 17th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 52% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA. Houston is 26th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 9.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 10 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 58%, which is 5th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 15th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 9.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 41%, which is 30th in the league. The Clippers are 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.6, and their defensive rating of 101.1 is ranked 6th. In terms of pace they are 26th in the league with 98.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 25th. As a team they are 19th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 17th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Houston -1

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