NBA Betting – Rockets need to heat up against Clips to stay in playoff race

Those checking out March Madness odds should be scouts for two teams that could be in the lottery for next year’s draft, as Houston will welcome the Los Angeles Clippers to Texas on Thursday night. The Clippers have pretty much sewn up their spot in the lottery, but the Rockets still have an outside chance if they can go on a hot streak.

Clippers vs Rockets odds – Thursday, March 25, 8:30 PM ET

The Clippers’ 106-96 loss in Dallas on Tuesday was their ninth in 10 games, and their starters held their own, but the bench was simply awful. Drew Gooden had a huge 26-point, 20-rebound night, and he’s played well since he was traded from the Mavericks, but the Clippers’ bench were outscored 43-5. They also allowed Jason Kidd to run wild from the perimeter, as he nailed six three-pointers on his 37^th birthday. Kidd is still a good player and all, but the Los Angeles guards should be ashamed of themselves. Look for them to check out the March Madness favorites for next year’s draft pick, although players should be warned when looking at last year’s pick, Blake Griffin, and the rest of the Clippers’ draft history.

The Rockets fell 98-88 in Chicago on Monday, shooting a miserable 33.7% from the field. Luis Scolla had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets, who are five games behind Portland as of Wednesday, and the Trailblazers are holding onto the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. However, they’ll need more production from Aaron Brooks, who was 3-of-17 for nine points against the Bulls, and he’s cooled off after a pair of 31-point games last week. The Rockets still have play in Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.

The Rockets should be favored at home by sportsbook odds (sportsbook reviews) as the Clippers have lost eight of their last 10 in Houston, including five in a row. The Rockets have won both meetings so far this season by an average margin of 13 points, but their leading scorer against the Clippers, Carl Landry, is now in Sacramento. They’ll need the backcourt duo of Brooks and Kevin Martin to step up and lead the way, and they should feel encouraged by the way that the Clippers handed Kidd on Tuesday. The Rockets have more incentive to play in this game as well, while it looks like the Clippers are just playing out the season so they can roll the dice in the lottery. They’re also a putrid 7-29 away from home, and even though the Rockets are playing on Wednesday night, it’ll take a collapse to lose to the Clippers. Take the Rockets before making your March Madness betting picks on Thursday.