Frank LorenzoThe Los Angeles Clippers and the Houston Rockets have been involved in a tremendous fight for the third spot in the Western Conference standings, and they clash this Saturday at 8 PM ET at the Toyota Center, in a matchup that eventually could lean the balance one way or the other in the final positions.
Los Angeles has a one game lead over the Houston in the standings, and they haven’t lost to the Rockets all season.
The Clippers won 109-103 at Dallas on Thursday despite they were down by 10 in the fourth quarter. “We knew it was going to be a playoff-type game,” Chris Paul said. “They’re not just playing for their playoff lives; we’re trying to gear up for the playoffs, too.”
The Rockets enter to this game after winning five games in a row, but the resume of those teams is not impressive. James Harden had a triple-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds in a 120-98 home win over Philadelphia on Thursday.
“We did a great job of coming out tonight and taking care of business,” said Harden, who has averaged 31.3 points in his last three games.
Houston is a 1.5 point favorite over Los Angeles, despite the fact that they are 0-3 straight up and against the spread the Clippers this season. The Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Saturday games, and the Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
