After leveling their series at one game each, the No. 2 Houston Rockets (5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS) travel to the No. 3 Los Angeles Clippers (5-4 SU, 5-4 ATS) Friday for Game Three of their Western Conference semifinal. You can watch the game live on ESPN.
The Rockets breathed a huge sigh of relief after pulling out a 115-109 home win Wednesday to knot their best-of-seven series at 1-1. They now hit the road for just the third time this postseason trying to wrestle homecourt advantage back from the Clippers. Houston is 7-4 ATS in its last 11 road games that started with a 100-98 win at the Clippers as a five-point underdog on Mar. 15.
After stealing homecourt advantage with an impressive win on Monday without Chris Paul, the Clippers were in position to take a 2-0 series lead until a second half offensive collapse cost them a win Wednesday. The Clips were outscored by 15 points over the final 24 minutes but head home feeling pretty good about their chances after nearly getting the sweep on the road. The Clips won six of their last nine at Staples Center but are just 1-8 ATS over that span.
KEY INJURY
The Clippers played their second straight game without point guard Chris Paul who continues to nurse a strained left hamstring. Coach Doc Rivers said before Wednesday’s game that Paul is getting better but still isn’t “moving well.” Rivers isn’t sure if Paul will be ready for Friday’s game but expects him to play at some point in the series.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“We got out of the rhythm offensively and that’s where the game changed for us. We got stuck trying to go to Blake too much and we forgot about the guys on the other side of the floor. That hurt us.” – Clippers coach Doc Rivers
BETTING TRENDS
- Houston is 1-3 ATS in its last four games overall.
- Los Angeles is 1-8 ATS in its last nine home games.
- The OVER is 7-3 in Los Angeles’ last 10 games overall.
KEY STATS
64: The Rockets set franchise playoff records by making 42 of 64 free throws in Wednesday’s game. James Harden connected on all 15 of his attempts while Dwight Howard made just eight of his 21 tries.
34: Clippers forward Blake Griffin scored a playoff-high 34 points and collected his ninth straight double-double by adding 15 rebounds Wednesday.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
After being held in check for the first seven quarters of the series, Houston All-Star James Harden knew he had to do something to help the Rockets avoid an 0-2 series deficit. Harden was stuck on the bench for most of the third quarter Wednesday with four fouls but made up for lost time in the fourth when he scored 16 of his 32 points to lift the Rockets to a 115-109 win that evened their series at 1-1. Harden managed only 20 points Monday when Houston dropped the opener and it was looking bleak for the Rockets until Harden’s explosion. Houston has a wonderful assortment of role players and Dwight Howard, but Harden makes them go. He did Wednesday and needs to perform well Friday in Game Three.
Another strong effort by the Clippers without their leader Chris Paul was wasted when they seemingly ran out of gas in the second half and struggled to make shots. The absence of Paul not only takes a top player out of the lineup, it also weakens an already thin Clippers bench. Austin Rivers started in place of Paul again with JJ Redick and Blake Griffin forced to log extra minutes that took a toll on them late. Griffin scored 34 points but had just eight after the break as Houston keyed on him with Paul in street clothes once again.
The Clippers might want to rethink their hack-a-whomever strategy because it backfired Wednesday. Sure Dwight Howard missed 13 of his 21 free throw attempts but the Rockets had 64 tries from the stripe, that’s right 64, and made 42. The percentage wasn’t great but they outscored the Clips by 17 from the stripe and won the game by six. The ploy also deadened an exciting game with a total of 67 fouls committed the game took nearly three hours to complete. If Chris Paul is back and somewhat healthy the Clips like to get out and run with their horses and they can’t do that if they’re standing around watching the Rockets shoot freebies. The Clips were just 2-2 at home against the Spurs in the opening round but won the most important game – Game Seven – and will keep the home floor advantage with a win Friday night.
Los Angeles 112, Houston 107
The NBA odds for this game will first open at BookMaker sportsbook. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time odds and player props during the game. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The contest pitting the Houston Rockets versus the Los Angeles Clippers will commence Friday, May 8, 2015, at 10:30 p.m. ET at Staples Center. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
