Houston Rockets (17-9) vs. LA Clippers (7-21)
The NBA betting action continues Tuesday, December 23, 2025, with a huge 14-game card, and in this preview, we are breaking down the Western Conference showdown from Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA, to get you the Rockets vs. Clippers prediction.
The Rockets take on the Clippers for the second time this season. Just 12 days ago, the Rockets outlasted the Clippers 115-113 in Houston. The Clippers covered an 8.5-point spread, and the game went over the 221.5-point line.
Let’s take a closer look at this Rockets vs. Clippers prediction, one of our NBA picks for Tuesday’s slate. The tip-off at Intuit Dome is set at 10:30 PM ET.
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Terms & Conditions The Rockets have struggled a bit lately
The Houston Rockets (17-9; 15-11 ATS; 16-10 O/U) have dropped three of their last four games overall. Interestingly, each of their previous three defeats has come in overtime and on the road – against the Denver Nuggets 128-125, the New Orleans Pelicans 133-128, and the Sacramento Kings 125-124.
Last Sunday, the Rockets failed to beat the lowly Kings as 12.5-point favorites. Houston blew an 11-point lead from halftime and gave up 19 offensive rebounds to the Kings. The Rockets shot 47.9% from the field (16-for-38 from deep), and Alperen Sengun led the way with 28 points.
Sengun is having a wonderful season, averaging 23.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists. Kevin Durant tallies 25.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, while Amen Thompson adds 17.5 points, 7.2 boards, and 5.3 assists a night.
The Rockets boast the third-best offensive rating in the NBA, notching 122.4 points per 100 possessions. They lead the league in 3-point percentage (40.3%) and offensive rebound percentage (37.6%). Houston allows 113.5 points per 100 possessions (10th) on 53.7% shooting from inside the arc (tied for 8th) and 34.6% from downtown (7th).
The Clippers’ losing streak is over
The LA Clippers (7-21; 9-19 ATS; 14-14 O/U) are coming off Saturday’s 103-88 home victory over the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers. It was their second win in 12 games, and the Clippers put an end to their five-game losing streak.
The Clippers outscored the Lakers 28-15 in the first quarter and never looked back. Kawhi Leonard led the way with 32 points and 12 rebounds, and James Harden had 21 points and 10 assists. The Clippers allowed just six 3-pointers while going 16-for-43 from beyond the arc.
Harden is the team’s leading scorer with 25.8 points per game, while Leonard tallies 25.2 points per contest. Ivica Zubac (15.6 PPG, 11.1 RPG) suffered an ankle injury last Saturday and is expected to miss at least three weeks.
The Clippers score 113.2 points per 100 possessions (24th in the NBA) and allow 118.7 points in return (tied for 25th). Their defense is 15th in the league in 2-point percentage (54.6%) and 29th in 3-point percentage (38.1%).
Rockets vs. Clippers Pick Spread Pick for Rockets vs. Clippers Houston Rockets (4 units)
Ivica Zubac’s injury is a huge blow for the Clippers. I expect Alperen Sengun to dominate in the paint and lead the Rockets to a comfortable victory. Houston’s 3-point shooting has been lethal thus far, while the Clippers’ 3-point defense has been pretty much awful.
Without Zubac, the Clippers will struggle to contain the Rockets on the glass. As I noted, the Rockets lead the league in offensive rebound percentage. They will continue to crash the board, and the Clippers will keep it close only if they hit 20 triples.
In their first meeting of the season, Houston outrebounded LA 51-28. Sengun led the way for the Rockets with 22 points and 15 rebounds, while Zubac scored 33 points for the Clippers.
Over/Under Pick for Rockets vs. Clippers
The Rockets have been one of the most efficient offensive teams in the league all season. I expect another strong performance when they visit the Clippers. Houston should dominate LA in the paint and make its field goals at a high rate.
The Clippers will have to lean on 3-pointers. In their previous date with the Rockets, the Clippers went 14-for-38 from downtown and 21-for-26 from the foul line. Four of the last five encounters between the Rockets and Clippers have gone over the total, and I would ride this betting trend, even though neither side plays at a fast pace.
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