Rockets vs Clippers prediction NBA · Monday, March 8
At a glance
The LA Clippers (1-3) host the Houston Rockets (5-0) on Monday, March 8 at 10:30 PM ET at Intuit Dome in NBA action. The Basketlog model gives the Rockets a 62% chance to win and projects a 112-108 score (Rockets – Clippers), about 221 total points. This season, the Clippers are 1-1 at home and the Rockets are 3-0 on the road. Since the start of the season: 1-3 for the Clippers and 5-0 for the Rockets (current streaks: Clippers L3, Rockets W5). A close game (margin of 5 points or fewer) happens in only 30% of cases according to the model. Fatigue: the Rockets played the night before (back-to-back). Reported injuries: Reed Sheppard (Rockets), Marcus Smart (Rockets), Steven Adams (Rockets), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (Clippers), Max Strus (Clippers) and Brandon Ingram (Clippers)…. Prediction confidence: medium.
The analysis Model
The Rockets are favored, but the gap isn't huge. The model projects Clippers 108 – 112 Rockets, a margin of about 3.8 points in favor of the Rockets and a total around 221 points. Expect a game at a standard NBA pace. The Rockets played yesterday: fatigue often shows in the fourth quarter. The Clippers will be without Yanic Konan Niederhauser or Max Strus (and 3 others). The Rockets will be without Reed Sheppard or Marcus Smart (and 1 other). Early season: the numbers still lean heavily on last season, so confidence stays cautious.
- The overall strength gap (+0.4 vs +6.7 pts/game) is the main factor.
- The Clippers need to win the pace battle to stay in the game.
- The Rockets' offense (117.5 pts/game) is the more productive of the two.
What tips the balance
Scenarios
Stat comparison Current season
HOULAC
Players to watch
Rockets
Alperen SengunC · #2824.5pts / gameAlperen SengunC · #287.0assistsAlperen SengunC · #289.0reboundsClippers
Darius GarlandG · #1021.5pts / gameDarius GarlandG · #106.5assists
Rui HachimuraF · #286.0reboundsRecent form
HOU
128-110W
114-110W
121-114W120-110W
132-100LAC
122-110W
121-96L
125-117L
108-101L103-87Head-to-head
3 meetings scheduled this season.
LAC
Second opinion
Our model compared with ESPN's public model (BPI). When they agree, the prediction is more solid.
✓ Both models pick the same favorite.
Team comparison
| HOU | LAC | |
|---|---|---|
| 5-0 | Record | 1-3 |
| 117.5 | Points scored / game | 112.0 |
| 109.7 | Points allowed / game | 111.5 |
| +6.7 | Adjusted margin / game | +0.4 |
| W5 | Current streak | L3 |
| 5-0 | Last 10 games | 1-3 |
| 3-0 road | Home / road record | 1-1 home |
| 52-30 (+5.2) | Last season | 42-40 (+1.1) |
| Yes | Played yesterday | No |
Injury report Rockets
Injury report Clippers
Probabilities estimated by the Basketlog model from available public data; early in the season they rely heavily on last season. They are neither a certainty nor betting advice.