Are Clippers A Sure NBA Bet Against Rockets This Tuesday?

The Los Angeles Clippers have been in existence for 45 years, during which time they have come to be known as something of a laughing stock in the NBA. There has been a serious perception shift as of late, though, and they are now on the brink of reaching the Western Conference Finals for the first time ever. But, should you pick them as your NBA bet this Tuesday? Let’s find out.

Los Angeles vs Houston: NBA Bet Analysis and Game Preview

Time: Tuesday, 9:30 p.m. ET Venue: Toyota Center, Houston National TV: TNT Opening line: Clippers -2 (219) The fact of the matter is that they are great value for their 3-1 series lead over the Rockets, especially after the Game 4 128-95 rout, where they punished the Rockets for their boring game plan of persistent fouling. They now head back to Houston for Game 5 on Tuesday with a chance to close the series out. History is on their side, as only 8 teams have ever made it all the way back from 3-1 down. The Clippers look like a team on a mission, and the fans are very much on board for the journey. The best leg of the trip may have come in the third quarter of Game 4, as the Clippers scored 43 points to surge into an unassailable lead. The result is all the more impressive when you consider that Chris Paul is visibly struggling to play through a hamstring injury, and all while putting up 15 points and 12 assists. One of the biggest questions of Game 3 is why the Rockets decided to go after DeAndre Jordan so aggressively. Jordan ended up taking 28 free throws in the first half alone, an NBA playoff record. It didn’t help that Dwight Howard, who was booed lustily by the home crowd, was essentially a no-show. Howard got in foul trouble early, and only played y minutes in the first half, during which time he managed a meagre 4 points. He was equally as bad, if not worse, in the second half, and was mercifully ejected after his 6th foul with still about 10 minutes to play. James Harden managed 21 points for the Rockets, but they are going to need much more out of him if they are to get back into this series and stay alive in the playoffs.

Key Betting Trends

Houston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games Houston is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 6 games LA Clippers is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games LA Clippers is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Clippers’s last 7 games

What Should You Bet On?

There is going to have to be a serious change of game planning for the Rockets when they head back home on Tuesday night, or they might not get to see LA again until next season. The Clippers look incredibly focused right now, and they know they are in possession of the final nail for the Rockets coffin. I believe they will hammer it in with some conviction to win Game 5 handily.   Sources ESPN.com (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2779/chris-paul) SI.com (http://www.si.com/nba/2015/05/11/deandre-jordan-free-throws-los-angeles-clippers-houston-rockets-game-4-win-2015-playoffs)