Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers - 12/19/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Clippers

Date: Thursday, December 19, 2019

Location: Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles -5.5

Total/Over-Under: 231.5

Staples Center is the site where Lou Williams and the Los Angeles Clippers (20-8, 2nd in the Pacific Division) will play the Houston Rockets (18-9, 2nd in the Southwest Division) on Thursday. Los Angeles opens this contest as 5.5 point favorites. The over/under is set at 231.5.

The Rockets are covering 44.4% of the time, having gone 12-15-0 ATS. Los Angeles covers the spread 58.6% of the time, going 17-12-0 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

12/16/2019 Nene C Hip Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
12/13/2019 Eric Gordon SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 3
10/28/2019 Gerald Green SG Foot Expected to be out until at least Apr 15

Key Los Angeles Clippers Injuries

12/18/2019 JaMychal Green PF Back Game Time Decision
12/18/2019 Amir Coffey SG Ankle Game Time Decision

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook averages 22.8 points per contest in 34.8 minutes per game this year. He averages 7.2 assists per game and 8.1 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 43% for the season while his free throw percentage is 77%. James Harden comes into this game averaging 38.9 points per contest while playing 37.8 minutes per night. He grabs 6.0 rebounds per contest and distributes 7.4 assists per game. His FG percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is 88%.

Player Spotlight

Kawhi Leonard averages 25.5 points per game and he sees the court an average of 31.3 minutes per game. He also hauls in 7.8 rebounds per game and dishes 5.0 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 87%. Lou Williams scores 19.9 points per contest while playing 30.7 minutes per game. He hauls in 3.2 rebounds per contest and has 6.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets allow 114.3 points per contest which is 23rd in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 15th and 17th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 46.2 rebounds a game which ranks 23rd, and they allow 26.1 assists per game which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 15.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the NBA. Houston averages 119.7 points per contest, which is 2nd in the league. Their average scoring margin is 5.4 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 21st. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They average 48.0 boards per contest and 21.7 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 25th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 15th with 15.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Clippers give up 107.8 points per game, which ranks them 13th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 3rd and 11th in those defensive statistics. They rank 5th with 22.4 dimes allowed per game and 18th with 45.8 boards surrendered per contest. The Clippers are 19th in the league in forcing turnovers with 15.7 per contest. Los Angeles is 5th in the NBA with 115.1 points per contest this season. They are 12th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 7.4. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 12th in the league. They are 2nd in the NBA in rebounding with 48.6 boards per contest and 21st in assists per game with 23.0. The Clippers are 5th in turnovers per contest with 16.2.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.3, and their defensive rating of 109.2 is ranked 16th. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 103.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 8th. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 15th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Los Angeles is 10th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 28th in the league. The Clippers are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.3, and their defensive rating of 104.1 is ranked 6th. In terms of pace they are 7th in the league with 103.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 16th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 20th in the league.

So what is Tonights Parlay prediction?

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Los Angeles -5.5 and over 231.5 total points

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