The Rockets have failed to cash away from home yet this season, with a 0-3 spread record in a trio of defeats as road dogs. They hope to end the slide in tonight's matchup against the Clippers, who are 1-1 ATS in their first two dates at Staples Center.
Sportsbooks opened Los Angeles as a 5 ½-point favorite, with
early NBA betting on the Clippers lifting the number to seven. NBA odds makers
first set the ‘total’ at 200, which moved between 199 ½ and 200 ½ after mixed
wagers took place across betting shops.
Clippers hold off Blazers at home
The Los Angeles Clippers notched its first home win in Sunday’s 93-88 win as a
three-point favorite against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Clippers led
by as many as 17 points, shooting 48 percent from the field.
Clippers forward Blake Griffin logged 20 points and 10 rebounds,
finishing with his second straight double-double. Griffin’s mates DeAndre
Jordan and Chris Paul recorded team-highs of 11 rebounds and seven assists,
respectively.
The contest’s combined 181 points dipped below the ‘total’ of 199
½, bringing the ‘under’ to 2-2 in the Clippers’ first four games. Los Angeles
struggled from the foul line, sinking 15-of-24 free throws, while being
outrebounded, 46-38.
Rockets edged out by Lakers
Houston dropped the front end of its back-to-back spot in
Tuesday’s 108-99 defeat as a 7 ½-point road dog against the Los Angeles
Lakers. The Rockets allowed 52.6 percent field shooting, while being
edged out in boards, 53-38.
Rockets guard Kyle Lowry notched season-highs of 22 points and 10
rebounds, picking up his second double-double in five games. The
Philadelphia native nearly had a triple-double with nine assists, while
frontcourt mates Luis Scola and Chase Budinger united to hit 16-of-31 buckets
from the field.
The battle’s combined 207 points leaped above the ‘total’ of 191,
lifting the ‘over’ to 2-1 in the Rockets’ last three games. Houston
drained 11-of-31 from three-point land, while failing to record a block.
Back Houston to get the money
Wednesday’s tip is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. (ET), making it the
league’s evening finale. NBA TV will provide the national television
coverage.
For today's NBA picks I am expecting the Rockets to recover from Tuesday’s
setback, keeping this duel close enough to cash at the betting windows. Houston has no rest in the spot, but catches a break without having to travel
and gets a drop in class compared to finding answers for Kobe Bryant and Andrew
Bynum.
Lowry presently leads the league in assists (11 APG) for Houston,
while ranking third in steals (2.4 SPG). The fifth-year man was the
team’s top weapon in keeping other road battles against the Orlando Magic and
Memphis Grizzlies as tight as possible.
The Clippers have assembled their share of talent this year, but
are being overvalued by the oddsmakers here. Griffin and Co. are 0-6 ATS
in their last six home games against clubs with losing road records.
Houston has answered back after every defeat this year with a win and
cashed ticket in its next game, including Saturday’s 95-84 win against the
Atlanta Hawks. The Rockets met the grueling challenge of a third game in
three days with that spot, leading by as many as 17 points en route to
outhustling Atlanta on the boards, 45-40.
Look
for McHale’s troops to again confront the odds against them here, cashing
tickets in a
matchup that should be tighter than expected.