Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets prediction, pick, odds: Clips lean into Paul George
With Kawhi Leonard, John Wall and Robert Covington all unavailable and the Los Angeles Clippers mired in an unpleasant four-game skid, Paul George wanted to do one thing spectacular to save lots of his crew.
George got here to the Clippers’ rescue with 35 factors, 9 rebounds, eight assists and 6 steals in a 95-93 dwelling win over the Houston Rockets on Monday, the primary of a back-to-back between the groups. The second is scheduled for Wednesday in Houston.
Yardbarker’s Quick Pick
The Clippers have scored the fewest factors within the NBA, and the Rockets have scored the fourth fewest, so no shock right here, we’re getting underneath 223 factors (-110) on this one. The Clips are the one crew within the NBA not averaging 100 factors a recreation, and with out Kawhi Leonard, do not anticipate that to vary. Plus, these two groups performed one another on Halloween, and neither went over the century mark. This could also be a good cowl, however take down remains to be the best play. – Jared Shlensky, Yardbarker
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Wednesday, 8pm ET
Los Angeles Clippers: – 6 (-105) unfold, -205 par, over 223 (-110)
@ Houston Rockets: +6 (-107) unfold, +190 entrance, underneath 223 (-110)
George had an help, a 3-pointer and a troublesome jumper over Rockets guard Eric Gordon all throughout the last 1:17 to assist erase a 93-88 deficit. Not solely had the Clippers misplaced 4 straight video games, these losses got here by a mean margin of defeat of 15 factors.
“I take full responsibility for us and our data now,” George stated. “Regardless of who’s in the lineup, who’s not, I’m more than capable of going out and performing and wanting our team to win. So I took a lot on myself for the way we played and the start that we have had until now”.
George should proceed to shoulder the load. Leonard (knee) didn’t make the journey to Houston with the Clippers and Covington is in well being and security protocols. Wall (relaxation) ought to be obtainable for the rematch with the Rockets, for whom he performed 40 video games earlier than sitting out all of final season.
After giving up a mean of 119.3 factors within the first three video games of their highway journey, the Rockets took solace of their improved defensive effort within the highway finale. While dealing with a Clippers crew lacking a number of veterans and one which has struggled offensively, the Rockets welcomed any indicators of enchancment.
Even with out Alperen Sengun within the late phases of the sport, as he contributed 14 factors, 9 rebounds and three assists, the Rockets managed a aggressive effort. Houston coach Stephen Silas changed Kenyon Martin Jr. to Sengun with 87 seconds left and the Rockets led by 5 in an effort to shore up the choose protection.
“Pretty good, last bit,” Silas stated of the execution, regardless of Houston blowing a late lead. “We still executed pretty well in the half.”
The outcome, nevertheless, was the identical because the Rockets ended the journey and not using a win.
Consistency continues to be elusive for Houston, with second-year guard Jalen Green for instance. Green averaged 14 factors on 25.7 p.c taking pictures from the sector and 22.6 p.c from 3-point vary on the journey. He averaged 24 factors on 46.1 p.c taking pictures (48.1 from three-point vary) by means of the primary 4 video games of the season.
“This is a tough game,” Gordon stated. “This is a job. What people have to understand is that in this league, when you have talent, I don’t care how young you are, talent always pushes you.
“Being younger cannot at all times be an excuse as a result of there are loads of younger groups on this league, loads. We have the expertise, we simply should put it collectively.”
The Clippers have received eight of their final 9 conferences.
