Houston Rockets vs L.a. Clippers Clippers Picks and Predictions November 15th 2024

Rockets vs Clippers November 15th 2024

At 8:00 ET, the 6-6 Clippers will travel to Houston to take on the 8-4 Rockets. The Rockets are favored by 4.5 points and have won three straight games. The over/under line is set at 217.

This Western Conference matchup will be played at the Toyota Center and can be seen on SCHN.

Clippers vs. Rockets Key Information

The Clippers fell to 6-6 on the season after a 111-103 road loss to the Rockets on Wednesday. L.A. entered the game as +4.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game matched the over/under line of 214, resulting in a push for bettors.

After a 10-0 run gave the Clippers a 12-2 lead early, the Rockets responded by outscoring L.A. 33-28 in the 2nd quarter and 28-23 in the 3rd. The Clippers trailed 89-79 heading into the 4th and won the final quarter 24-22, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

In their 111-103 loss to the Rockets, the Clippers shot just 39.6% from the field. They did manage to hit 14 threes, shooting 36.8% from beyond the arc.

James Harden led the Clippers with 19 points, 12 of which came in the 1st quarter. Terance Mann added 14 points, scoring 7 in the 2nd and another 7 in the 4th.

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The Clippers gave up 111 points to the Rockets, including 33 in the 2nd quarter, but they tightened up in the 4th, allowing just 22 points. Overall, they held the Rockets to 43% shooting from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Clippers allowed 15 threes on 37% shooting. They sent the Rockets to the line 17 times, where they made 12 free throws. Defensively, the Clippers recorded 10 steals and 3 blocks.

The Rockets improved to 8-4 this season with a 111-103 win over the Clippers on Wednesday. Houston, playing at home, covered the -4.5 point spread. The game’s total points matched the over/under line of 214.

After the Clippers went on a 10-0 run early, the Rockets responded by winning the 2nd quarter 33-28 and the 3rd quarter 28-23. They entered the 4th quarter with an 89-79 lead, and although the Clippers outscored them 24-22 in the final period, Houston held on for the win.

Jalen Green’s 21 points and 5 threes led the Rockets to a win over the Clippers, despite shooting just 33.3% from the field. He added 9 points in the 1st quarter and finished with 7 rebounds and 5 assists. As a team, the Rockets made 15 threes, shooting 37.5% from beyond the arc.

Amen Thompson and Tari Eason both contributed 18 points, with Thompson adding 11 rebounds and shooting 66.7% from the field. Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks each added 15 points, while Alperen Şengün chipped in 13 points, including 4 in the 4th quarter.

The Rockets put together a strong defensive performance on Wednesday, holding the Clippers to 103 points on 39% shooting. Houston gave up 28 points in both the 1st and 2nd quarters but tightened up in the 3rd, allowing just 23 points. They closed out the game by giving up 24 points in the 4th quarter.

From beyond the arc, the Clippers hit 14 threes at a 36% clip. Houston sent LA to the line 16 times, where they made 13 free throws. The Rockets grabbed 41 defensive rebounds, gave up 10 offensive boards, and added 8 steals and 11 blocks.

Not only do we have the Rockets winning this one by a score of 145-109, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Rockets at -4.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 217 and our model has the Clippers and Rockets finishing with a combined 254 points. Our pick is to take the over.

Rockets Look to Double Down Against Clippers in NBA Cup Showdown

Matchup: Los Angeles Clippers (5-5) vs. Houston Rockets (6-3)
When: Friday night
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
NBA Cup Group: West Group A

The Houston Rockets are riding high after a gritty 111-103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night, thanks to stellar contributions from their bench. On Friday, they’ll look to repeat that performance when the two teams face off again to open their NBA Cup group play.

Rockets’ Bench Duo Leading the Way

The Rockets’ second unit, particularly Tari Eason and Amen Thompson, has been pivotal to Houston’s early-season success. On Wednesday, Eason and Thompson combined for 36 points on efficient shooting (14-for-23) while dominating the boards with 21 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass by Thompson.

Eason logged his first double-double of the season and extended his streak of scoring in double figures to five games. He’s averaging 14 points and seven rebounds during this stretch, providing a crucial spark off the bench.

Coach Ime Udoka praised the young duo for their defensive impact:

“They’re very disruptive… flying all over the place and making that impact. It changes the energy on the court.”

Eason and Thompson’s defensive versatility, combined with their high motor, allows Udoka to experiment with unconventional lineups, confident that the two can guard multiple positions. Their energy also fuels the Rockets’ fast-paced transition game, which has become a significant weapon.

Defensive Mastery and Dominance on the Glass

The Rockets’ defense was on full display against the Clippers, as they notched 11 blocked shots. Alperen Sengun and Jock Landale led the way, contributing six of those blocks from the center position. Houston’s dominance inside extended to the glass, where they outrebounded the Clippers by 17.

The Rockets turned those extra possessions into 19 second-chance points and used their defensive stops to fuel 24 fast-break points. This relentless effort on both ends has been a key factor in Houston’s strong start under Udoka.

Clippers Seeking Redemption

For the Clippers, the Wednesday loss was a missed opportunity. After a scorching first quarter where they drained their first five 3-point attempts and jumped out to an early lead, their offense cooled off significantly. The Clippers shot just 5-of-19 from beyond the arc in the second half, a far cry from their season average of 39.1 percent, which ranks third in the league.

Coach Tyronn Lue acknowledged the adjustments needed after the loss:

“We kind of threw some shots up, missing layups, and they were out in transition. We’ve got to be better with our shot selection, especially at the rim.”

The Clippers, who were severely outmatched on the boards without their 7-footer Ivica Zubac on the floor, need to address their interior defense. Lue hinted that his team would be better prepared after reviewing the Rockets’ game plan.

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Key Matchups to Watch

1. Tari Eason & Amen Thompson vs. Clippers’ Wings: Eason and Thompson’s defensive pressure was critical on Wednesday. Can they disrupt the Clippers’ offense once again, particularly their perimeter shooting?
2. Alperen Sengun vs. Ivica Zubac: The Rockets’ shot-blocking and rebounding prowess were a game-changer in the first meeting. Zubac will need to be more effective inside to prevent Houston from dominating the paint again.
3. Paul George & Kawhi Leonard vs. Houston’s Defense: The Clippers’ stars need to step up after a lackluster finish on Wednesday. George and Leonard will have to find ways to break through the Rockets’ aggressive defensive schemes.

What’s at Stake

This game serves as the NBA Cup opener for both teams in West Group A. With a tough schedule ahead in group play, including games against the Lakers, Suns, and Jazz, a win here could be crucial for either team’s chances of advancing in the tournament.

Prediction

The Rockets’ depth and defensive energy have been a revelation this season, and they’ll have the home crowd behind them again on Friday. While the Clippers are capable of adjustments, the Rockets’ relentless hustle and ability to convert turnovers into quick points could give them the edge.