Category: NBA

NBA Game 1: Clippers vs Rockets

NBA basketball betting sees the Los Angeles Clippers taking on the Houston Rockets on Monday May 4 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NBA playoffs long.

This is the first game of the second round series in the western conference.  Both teams are looking to take the early advantage.

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Los Angeles Clippers (0-0) vs. Houston Rockets (0-0)
Monday May 4
9:30PM
Toyota Center – Houston, TX
NBA Betting Line:  Houston -6
NBA Betting Total:  212
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Los Angeles

The Clippers needed everything they had to advance. Not only did it take seven games but they beat the defending champs, beating them twice in elimination games, including one on the road.

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This is a talented group but you have to wonder how much they have left in the tank because there is next to no depth on this team. Star power for sure they really can’t play through an off night from any of their key players.

Doc may have to dip into the reserves more than he wants to early in the series.

Los Angeles doesn’t have a chance if Paul isn’t healthy.

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He tweaked a hamstring against the Spurs and needs to be more than available for the Clippers to win.

Griffin has had a nice run of 20/10 performances and will also be key, in fact they need him to dominate as the Rockets don’t really have a good counter for him. They have the talent now they just have to play.

Houston

If Sunday is a leading indicator than it is a good thing to win your series quickly and then rest.

Houston will have that advantage and will need it to beat a Clippers team that is probably more talented.

Houston has lots of things that it does well but mostly they are a scrappy team with a single superlative player. It is imperative that they jump on L.A. early in the opener or else the rest advantage may have been lost.

This game could have a nice pace as the Rockets have been cranking it up as of late.

There is no doubt that Harden has to play great for the Rockets but I think the key to the series is Dwight Howard. He and DeAndre Jordan are going to have some battles and he has to be both a scoring and rebounding threat.

If he is than the other Rockets can fill in around those two. If not the Rockets are going to crash.

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Relying on the likes of Josh Smith is too dangerous.

NBA Betting Trends:

• Under is 4-0 in Clippers last 4 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
• Clippers are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a S.U. win.
• Clippers are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 Monday games.
• Under is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 Conference Semifinals games.
• Rockets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
• Rockets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
• Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
• Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Houston.
• Clippers are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings.

4* NBA Betting Prediction:  Los Angeles +6

This should be a tight series but I think the Clippers can steal game one.

NBA Score Prediction:Los Angeles 103 – Houston 100

Even if they can’t that -6 for Houston is too generous. Take the underdog tonight.

Check out our Updated NBA Betting Odds.

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