Houston Rockets vs LA Clippers Prediction and Betting Tips | Dec. 8, 2024

The Houston Rockets vs LA Clippers matchup is one of 12 NBA games scheduled for Sunday. Both teams have gotten off their seasons to good starts. Houston is fourth in the West with a 15-8 record, while LA is sixth with a 14-10 record.

The two teams have faced each other 218 times in the regular season, with the Rockets holding a 127-91 lead. They have met twice this season, with Houston winning both games.

The most recent game between them was a 125-104 blowout win for the Rockets on Nov. 15. Jabari Smith Jr. led Houston with 28 points, while James Harden had 21 points for LA.

---

Houston Rockets vs LA Clippers game details and odds

The Houston Rockets vs LA Clippers game is scheduled for 9 p.m. EST on Sunday, Dec. 8, at Intuit Dome.

The game will be broadcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network - SoCal and Space City Home Network. Fans can also stream it live on NBA League Pass and FuboTV.

Moneyline: Rockets (-140) vs. Clippers (+120)

Spread: Rockets (-3) vs. Clippers (+3)

Total (O/U): Rockets -110 (o215.5) vs. Clippers -110 (u215.5)

Editor's note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

---

Houston Rockets vs LA Clippers preview

The Rockets have one of the youngest and most talented squads in the league. They took a noticeable jump last season but narrowly missed out on the play-in tournament. They have improved drastically this season and are 6-4 in the past 10 games.

Houston is, however, coming off of a close 99-93 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. Alperen Sengun led the team with 16 points and eight rebounds. The Rockets, though, failed to get a win against an injury-depleted Golden State that was without Steph Curry and Draymond Green.

No team in the West has defied the odds more than the Clippers this season. After losing Paul George to free agency in the offseason and still without Kawhi Leonard, who's out with a knee injury, they weren’t expected to compete in the West. James Harden, though, had different plans and has helped the team to a respectable start.

The Clips, meanwhile, are coming off of a blowout 108-80 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. Harden struggled in the game with just five points, three assists and three rebounds. With three days rest, expect the team to bounce back strongly on Sunday.

---

Houston Rockets vs LA Clippers betting props

Alperen Sengun’s points total is set at 20.5, which is over his season average of 18.9 points. He has scored 20 points or more in four of the past five games. Take a risk and go over.

James Harden’s point total is set at 22.5. After a lackluster outing on Wednesday, expect ‘The Beard’ to score over 22.5 points.

---

Houston Rockets vs LA Clippers prediction

The oddsmakers slightly favor the Rockets to get a win on the road. While LA has defied odds this season, the Rockets could be too tough a challenge.

Bet on Houston to break its two-game losing streak and get a win on Sunday. This should be a high-scoring game with the team total going past 215.5 points.