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The Los Angeles Clippers are hanging around in the playoff race but could use some upset victories to gain some ground on teams ahead of them like the Pelicans and Nuggets. Los Angeles is at home later this week but faces a powerful foe in the Houston Rockets.
Houston has the second-best record in the West but may be without superstar small forward James Harden, which helps even the playing field a bit. The spread could be close because of that injury and the fact the Clippers get this one at home.
This is the type of game that would be a big one for the Clippers to grab if they plan on making the postseason. Houston, meanwhile, is trying to keep pace with all of the other juggernauts in the Western Conference so could use a win just as badly.
This war on the floor will go down Monday, January 15, 2018, at 10:30 p.m. ET at the Staples Center. The game will be televised live on TNT.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Monday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The Rockets are 28-11 straight up and 18-20-1 against the spread. Houston has covered in 11 of 19 attempts on the road this season. The Rockets have only been the underdogs four times this season and it will be interesting where the spread comes in on this one without Harden on the floor.
The Clippers are 19-21 straight up and 21-19 against the spread. They have covered in half of their 20 games at home this season.
Injury Report
Harden is expected to miss this game with a hamstring injury, and it remains to be seen if the Clippers will have star power forward Blake Griffin available on their side. He is dealing with a concussion and didn’t play on Wednesday against the Warriors.
Griffin is averaging 22.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 0.8 steals per game. He has taken a bigger role on after star point guard Chris Paul was traded to the Rockets this season. Paul initiated that trade because he wanted to team up with Harden, and Paul will need to lead the way in this one if his partner is sidelined.
Paul is averaging 17.5 points, 9.3 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game this season. Harden’s absence would be a huge one as he is putting up 32.3 points and 9.1 assists per contest.
Player To Watch
Lou Williams — Many of the players the Clippers got in return for Paul are injured, but Williams is healthy and playing well. The former Sixth Man of the Year seems on pace to win that award again.
He is averaging 22.2 points and 4.9 assist per contest this year, establishing himself as one of the team’s best players even though he isn’t in the starting lineup.
Williams had 27 points in the third quarter on his way to 50 in a win against the Warriors on Wednesday. The third quarter outburst was the most points a player has scored in a quarter this season in the NBA.
He is instant offense and a player the Rockets know well after he performed for them last season. If Williams can have a big day, it should help the Clippers remain in striking distance in this contest.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Rockets aren’t at full strength and the Clippers are playing pretty well. That should make this a close affair, but the thinking is that Griffin won’t be available. If that’s the case, Los Angeles may not have enough firepower.
Even without Harden, Houston has an offense that runs very efficiently. Look for it to pick apart the Clippers defense and come away with a much-needed road win. This will be a tough blow as Los Angeles looks to claw forward in the standings.
NBA Odds: Rockets 119, Clippers 114
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