Rockets vs Clippers NBA Week 4 Betting Lines and Pick

The Los Angeles Clippers gave up a lot and went deep into luxury tax territory to acquire All-Star James Harden from Philadelphia and the Clippers still haven’t won a game since. 2023 NBA Expert Analysis Houston vs. LA | MyBookie Sportsbook NBA Regular Season: October 24, 2023, to April 14, 2024 | Week 4

Yet it’s never Harden’s fault. However, they are solid favorites Friday on the NBA odds to finally break through against the visiting Houston Rockets in an In-Season Tournament game.

How to Bet Rockets at Clippers NBA In-Season Tournament Odds & TV Info

When: Friday, 10:30 PM ET
Where: Crypto.com Arena
TV: NBA League Pass
Stream: NBA.com, NBA TV app
Radio: Tunein.com

Season Series

First meeting. Los Angeles has won 10 of the past 11 meetings after losing three of the previous four from 4/3/19 to 12/19/19. The Clippers’ current seven-game win streak against the Rockets is their longest in the all-time series. LA is 18-7 in the past 25 at home vs. Houston. Paul George averaged 28.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists last year vs. the Rockets. The Clippers averaged 121.1 ppg over the final two games in 2022-23 in the series after averaging 102.0 the first two games. Houston did not score more than 106 points.

Why Bet on Houston?

The Rockets are the most improved team in the NBA and on a six-game winning streak following a 107-104 home upset of defending NBA champion Denver on Sunday – unusual that Houston hasn’t played since then. The signing of veteran point guard Fred VanVleet has made a huge difference and he had 26 points and four assists in 41 minutes. (9-21 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 5-7 FT), two rebounds and four assists across 41 minutes. The points were a season high and his fifth 20-point game of the season. VanVleet is averaging a career-high 7.9 assists per game while sinking 3.1 triples a night. Dating to 1997-98, he has joined Chris Paul (2014-15 & 2016-17) as only players to have recorded at least 155 points and 70 assists while committing 15 or fewer turnovers through the first 9 games of a season.

Excellent young center Alperen Sengun had 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists, almost playing as well as Nikola Jokic. In fact, dating 1975-76, Sengun has joined Jokic (2022-23 & 2023-24) as the only players to have recorded at least 170 points, 70 rebounds and 50 assists while shooting 60.0% or better through the first 9 games of season.

Dillon Brooks produced 10 points, four rebounds and two assists. Brooks was on fire to start his first season in Houston, averaging 17.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals in 35.0 minutes per game. However, over his last four games, he’s averaged just 8.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 25.8 minutes. Brooks leads the team in plus/minus rating (+69).

Sixth man Jae’Sean Tate has a positive plus/minus rating in each of the six games during the current winning streak (+68 over span). Dating to 1983-84, he joins Robert Covington (2023-24) as the only players with at least 14 steals and 2 or fewer turnovers through the first 9 games of a season.

Since being outscored by 30 in the season opener at Orlando, Houston has a point differential of +77 over the past eight games. The Rockets were outscored by an average of 7.9 ppg last season (28th in NBA).

Houston is 0-2 on the road this season. The Rockets lost their first seven road games in 2022-23 and finished 8-33. Houston won its final two road games last season after not winning consecutive road games prior in 2022-23.

The Rockets are 6-1 in games in which they have led by 10+ points this season (15-10 in 2022-23) and have three wins by double-digits (6 in 2022-23), including two by 20+ (2 in 2022-23). Houston won three straight games by 18+ points from 11/4-11/8, tying for the 2nd-longest streak in team history.

Bet Rockets to Win
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Why Bet on LA Clippers?

Really not a surprise the Clippers are struggling to adapt to James Harden but a six-game losing streak (five since he debuted) is just stunning. They did play great on Tuesday at Denver but the Nuggets rallied for a 111-108 win. Harden was solid with 21 points, four assists and two rebounds in 35 minutes. His slow start is somewhat understandable when considering his preseason absence and a lack of conditioning. After their last game, Cach Tyronn Lue described Harden’s play as “polite,” suggesting that he was playing too passive as he tried to figure out how to play with his new teammates. He was far more aggressive Tuesday with a season high in both shot attempts and points.

“I kept reiterating, I didn’t have a training camp or a preseason, so kind of learning on the fly,” Harden said. “Also getting myself into James Harden shape. (Tuesday) was definitely another step in the right direction and just keep improving.”

Lue continues to tinker, telling Harden at practice he has “free rein” to play his way, trying numerous lineups. But with backup center Mason Plumlee out six to eight weeks, the Clippers are too small inside, and rebounding has been a chore.

Paul George led the Clippers with 35 points on Tuesday to go with seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. George had a chance to potentially send the game to overtime when his contested 3-pointer with 7.6 seconds left got wedged between the side of the rim and the backboard. George then complained about the officials afterward, saying he should have gone to the free throw line more than five times.

“I thought we played great,” George said. “It’s tough, the adversity of playing against the extra three [officials]. I thought they were awful. But, [against the] defending champs, we got to play better. There’s a lot to be positive about. I’m not one for moral victories, but I thought we showed more of a sign of a team tonight that’s close to getting it over the hump.”

Indiana Pacers center Daniel Theis has agreed on a contract buyout, clearing the way for him to sign a free agent deal with the Clippers once he clears waivers. He will help fill the hole left by the Plumlee injury.

The Clippers are 3-1 on home court to start the 2023-24 season. The Clippers are first in the NBA at home in steals (11.3) and third in 3P% (41.1) and in plus/minus differential (16.0). Overall, the Clippers have scored over 100 points in 38 of their last 41 contests. Since January 6, the Clippers are fifth in the NBA in offensive rating (118.3) and first in 3P% (39.5).

Bet Clippers to Win
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NBA Expert Prediction of the In-Season Tournament

Clippers 114, Rockets 110

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