Clippers vs Rockets Prediction, Odds & Best Bets | NBA Picks Today (3/6): Kawhi Takes Over

Today’s Clippers vs Rockets prediction and NBA best bets are brought to you by Bovada. Bovada is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from the NBA to the UFC and everything in between.

The LA Clippers (39-21) are set to collide with the Houston Rockets (27-34) in one of two NBA national broadcasts on ESPN scheduled for Wednesday, March 6.

That was fun 😎@ATT | #Rockets pic.twitter.com/NEASzycjxa

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 6, 2024

The Rockets were in action last night as Alperen Sengun’s career night (45 points, 16 rebounds, 5 steals) led them to a 114-101 win against the San Antonio Spurs. Conversely, the Clippers look to bounce back after falling 113-106 to the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday.

When it comes to the 2023-24 NBA Finals, these teams’ odds couldn’t be more different from the other. While LA currently holds the third-best odds (+450) to go on a championship run, Houston is much further down the list at +75000 (T-19th), per Bovada’s futures markets.

You’ve come to the right place if you want to get in on the Clippers vs. Rockets betting action. Keep scrolling for my predictions and picks for tonight’s clash.

Clippers vs Rockets NBA Betting Tonight (3/6)

Clippers vs Rockets Matchup Information

• Matchup: LA Clippers (39-21, 18-13 Away) vs. Houston Rockets (27-34, 21-10 Home)
• Venue & Location: Toyota Center (Houston, TX)
• Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2024
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Clippers vs. Rockets: ESPN

Rockets vs Clippers Odds & Spread

Rockets vs. Clippers odds are courtesy of Bovada as of Wednesday, March 6 at 8:58 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Clippers vs Rockets Spread

• LA Clippers -7 (-105)
• Houston Rockets +7 (-115)

Rockets vs Clippers Over/Under

• Over 223.5 Points (-105)
• Under 223.5 Points (-115)

Clippers vs Rockets Moneyline

• LA Clippers (-250)
• Houston Rockets (+210)

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Best Bets and Picks Tonight

Looking to get in on even more NBA picks today? Check out our NBA Picks page for consensus picks for every 2023-24 season game.

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Clippers vs Rockets NBA Betting Trends

• The Clippers are 8-0 straight up in their last eight games vs. Houston.
• Houston is 3-7 straight up in its last 10 games played in March.
• The Clippers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games.
• Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last five home games.
• The total hit the Under in four of the Clippers’ last five games vs. the Western Conference.
• The total hit the Under in five of Houston’s last seven games vs. the Clippers.

Clippers vs Rockets Prediction & NBA Picks Today (3/6): Don’t Expect Much Offense

The Clippers are the clear favorites tonight, but if they want to win they must have a full 48-minute effort. After all, they led 81-73 over the Bucks heading into the fourth quarter on Monday before completely collapsing, getting outscored 40-25 in the final frame en route to a heartbreaking loss.

The good news is that a matchup with Houston tends to mean positive things for Tyron Lue’s team. The Clippers have won eight consecutive matchups against the Rockets, which includes a 106-100 win in their first meeting of the 2023-24 NBA season back on Nov. 17. Those encounters were lopsided more often than not as LA outscored Houston by an average of 12.3 points per game.

Additionally, the Clippers enjoy playing at Toyota Center, having gone 6-1 SU across their last seven trips to Toyota Center. In fact, the Rockets haven’t beaten the Clippers at home since May 14, 2021, having lost four in a row while only averaging 101.3 PPG since then.

The Rockets look to beat the Clippers at home for the first time in nearly three years. 

The Clippers have the offensive advantage heading into this matchup, averaging 117.2 points (11th) with 13.0 threes made (14th) on 38.9% shooting (3rd) per game. Meanwhile, the Rockets tally 112.8 PPG (21st) while sinking 12.1 three-pointers (20th) with 34.7% accuracy (29th).

Houston does have one of the better three-point defenses in the NBA, though, allowing the 10th-fewest threes made on the third-worst success rate. At the same time, the Rockets tend to struggle at guarding the Clippers on the perimeter, allowing an average of 13.0 threes made with a 38.1 3P% across the last eight meetings.

Another thing working against the Rockets is that they usually struggle when playing the second game of a back-to-back. Heading into tonight’s game, Houston is 3-8 SU with a minus-7.1 average scoring margin when playing without any rest this season.

For reference, the Clippers are 22-14 SU with a plus-3.6 average scoring margin when having exactly one day of rest.

Will having extra rest give the Clippers an advantage over the Rockets tonight?

With the Rockets likely tired from last night’s festivities, let’s back the Clippers to win. LA has dominated Houston left and right over the last few years, which is something I just don’t see changing. If the Clippers can successfully make their three-point shots early on, the Rockets won’t be able to keep things close.

Nevertheless, the Under on the 223.5-point total is my Clippers vs. Rockets betting pick of the night. Both sides have been involved in low-scoring tilts lately, proven by the Under being 5-1 in both of LA and Houston’s last six games.

The Under is also 5-2 in the last seven Clippers-Rockets matchups, seeing an average of 209.0 PPG. Considering how they only combined for 206 points in their first meeting on the 2023-24 schedule, I don’t anticipate much offense this evening.

Clippers vs Rockets NBA Prediction: LAC wins

Best Clippers vs Rockets NBA Bet: u223.5 Total Points (-115)

Get 50% up to $750 on your Clippers vs. Rockets NBA picks today over at Bovada

Best Clippers vs Rockets NBA Prop Bet (3/6)

There are a few Clippers vs. Rockets player props that stick out, including the Over on Kawhi Leonard’s 25.5-point total.

Leonard has finished with the Over on this prop 24 times throughout the season, including three times across his last four games alone. The Over is also 6-4 across the two-time NBA Finals MVP’s last 10 road games, averaging 27.3 PPG on 55.4% shooting.

If that isn’t convincing enough, Leonard is averaging 27.2 points across his last nine games against the Rockets, finishing with 26 or more points six times. After recording 26 points against Houston earlier this season, look for more of the same from Leonard tonight.