NBA Picks: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets

Los Angeles Clippers at Houston Rockets
Saturday, 3/30/13, 8:00 PM EST, TV: CSH
Opening Point Spread: Houston -1.5
Current Betting Line: Houston -1
Opening Total: 206
Current Total: 205.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Los Angeles Clippers have won five straight games against the Houston Rockets

Los Angeles has alternated wins and losses over its last four games, as it comes off a 104-102 loss to the San Antonio Spurs as four-point road underdogs Friday night, while going OVER the total for a fourth consecutive contest. “We can learn from this,” commented Clippers forward Blake Griffin. The Clippers have won five straight meetings with the Rockets, as they’ve averaged 108.0 points on 40.4 percent shooting. Los Angeles is 8-6 ATS as a road underdog of three points or less, which can’t be ignored when making your NBA picks against the spread.

The Clippers are 21-16 overall when playing away from the Staples Center, including a 12-10 mark against Western Conference opponents. Los Angeles has been led by Griffin on the court for most of the 2012-13 NBA season, as he’s the only NBA player averaging 18-plus points, 8.5-plus rebounds, 3.5-plus assists and 1.0-plus steals per game. Point guard Chris Paul is also an important piece of the puzzle, as he’s averaged 21.8 points in his last five games versus the Rockets.

Houston has dropped back-to-back games by being held to 94 points or less, including a 103-94 setback to the Memphis Grizzlies as 4.5-point road underdogs Friday night, while going OVER the total for the first time in eight contests. “We made more mistakes defensively than we have been doing,” commented Rockets coach Kevin McHale. The Rockets are 25-11 overall at the Toyota Center, including a 14-8 mark versus conference foes. Houston is 5-2 ATS as a home favorite of three point or less, with the UNDER going 5-2 in that situation.

The Rockets entered Friday night’s action second in the league in averaging 106.1 points per game, while leading all teams in 3-point makes. Houston also stands in third place in terms of scoring 45.7 points per game in the paint, while sitting second in terms of fast-break points.