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LA Clippers (6-18) at Houston (15-6)
- When: Dec 11 2025, 8:00 PM
- Where: Toyota Center, Houston, TX, USA
- TV: SCHN
LA Clippers vs Houston Preview & Prediction
Spread: Houston -9.5
Moneyline: Houston (-410)
Total: 222.5
Houston Rockets Betting Breakdown
Houston returns home as a 9 point favorite with the Total set at 222.5, and the timing could not be better after four days of rest. The Rockets stumbled in Dallas on the second night of a back to back, but they get Alperen Sengun back from illness, restoring the heartbeat of their interior offense. Sitting fourth in the West despite injuries across the rotation, Houston has built its identity on a top tier attack paired with a stingy, well structured defense.
The integration of Kevin Durant has elevated their ceiling, and the Rockets’ +10.8 net rating shows how consistently they have controlled games. Houston plays physical, executes in the halfcourt and rarely loses focus at home. That makes this a strong spot for them to reestablish rhythm and take control early.
With improved health coming soon, including the expected returns of Tari Eason and Dorian Finney Smith in the near future, this group looks positioned for a continued run once fully intact.
Houston Player Prop Pick: Alperen Sengun over 8.5 rebounds – His return combined with LA’s weak interior resistance provides a favorable matchup.
Los Angeles Clippers Betting Breakdown
The Clippers continue their slide, losing seven of their last eight and dropping in the standings largely due to defensive collapse. Tyronn Lue challenged his team early in the season to improve their intensity and defensive organization, but those steps have not materialized. The Clippers rank near the bottom of the league in defensive rating and have given up 118 points per 100 possessions during their funk.
They enter Houston on the final stop of a five game road trip at 1-3 so far, and their inconsistency has made them difficult to trust from a betting standpoint. Outside of a win over Atlanta, they have repeatedly fallen behind early and failed to adjust. The back to back losses to Memphis and Minnesota showed how quickly their defensive floor can give out.
To stay competitive, the Clippers need to improve their pick and roll coverage and find stretches where they can actually string stops together. Houston’s balanced scoring will pressure all their weaknesses.
Clippers Player Prop Pick: Kawhi Leonard over 22.5 points – He will shoulder the offensive load and should see increased volume as LA tries to keep pace.
NBA Final Score & Expert Prediction
The Rockets have rest, returning starters and a far superior defensive profile. The Clippers’ struggles guarding the perimeter and protecting the paint make them extremely vulnerable in this matchup. Houston should dictate pace and physicality, and Los Angeles is unlikely to sustain enough resistance to keep it within single digits.
Final Score: Houston 119, Clippers 106
Lean: Houston -9.5
Total: Over 222.5
- NBA Basketball Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
