The struggling Los Angeles Clippers (6-18) head to Houston for a tough matchup against the surging Rockets (15-6) on Thursday night. With the Clippers mired in a five-game skid earlier this month before snapping it against Atlanta, they face a Rockets squad that’s won three of its last five despite a recent loss in Dallas. This Pacific Division tilt features a clash of former teammates in James Harden and the Rockets’ backcourt, but Houston’s depth and home dominance (8-2 at Toyota Center) make them heavy favorites. Expect a high-scoring affair as both teams rank in the top 15 for pace, with the Rockets’ interior attack testing LA’s depleted frontcourt.
Venue Location
Toyota Center, Houston, Texas (capacity: 18,055). The Rockets are 8-2 at home this season, thriving in front of their raucous crowd, and have covered the spread in seven of their last 10 games at the arena.
Tipoff: 8:00 p.m. ET.
Broadcast on SCHN (Rockets) and FDSSC (Clippers), with streaming available on NBA League Pass.
Injury Report
Injuries are mounting for both sides, but the Rockets get a boost with Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams cleared to play after recent absences. The Clippers, meanwhile, continue to battle depth issues in the frontcourt and backcourt, which could exacerbate their defensive woes (116.8 PPG allowed, 25th in NBA). Here’s the latest from Wednesday’s reports:
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury | Notes |
| Clippers | Bradley Beal | G | Out (Season) | Left Hip (Fracture) | Out since preseason; 0 games played this year. |
| Clippers | Derrick Jones Jr. | F | Out | Right Knee (Sprained MCL) | Extended absence since Nov. 17; key wing defender missed last 15 games. |
| Clippers | Jordan Miller | G | Questionable | Back (Lower Tightness) | Day-to-day; limited practice Wednesday. Averaging 8.2 PPG off bench. |
| Clippers | Chris Paul | G | Out | Illness | Unavailable per team update; veteran point guard’s absence forces Harden to handle more ball. |
| Rockets | Fred VanVleet | G | Out (Season) | Right Knee (Torn ACL) | Sidelined since late September; expected back mid-season at earliest. |
| Rockets | Tari Eason | F | Out | Oblique (Strain) | DNP Wednesday; missed last three games. Impacts rebounding (7.2 RPG). |
| Rockets | Dorian Finney-Smith | F | Out | Left Ankle (Surgery Recovery) | Hasn’t debuted yet; targeted return late December. Adds perimeter defense. |
| Rockets | Alperen Sengun | C | Available | Illness | Cleared after missing two games; averages 23.1 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 7.1 APG. |
| Rockets | Steven Adams | C | Available | Ankle | Removed from injury report; provides physicality off bench (8.5 PPG, 10.2 RPG). |
The Clippers’ thin wing rotation without Jones Jr. puts pressure on Kawhi Leonard (if active) and Norman Powell, while Houston’s frontcourt depth with Sengun and Adams should dominate the glass.
Player Matchups
This game’s pulse will be set by these star-studded battles, where offensive firepower meets defensive schemes:
Clippers G James Harden vs. Rockets G Amen Thompson
Harden (26.8 PPG, 12th in NBA; 8.2 APG) is LA’s offensive engine but faces Thompson’s elite length (1.4 SPG) and athleticism. Thompson (17.4 PPG, 5.1 APG) has held opposing guards under 40% shooting in recent starts. If Harden exceeds 25 points, the Clippers stay in it; otherwise, Houston’s transition game explodes.
Rockets F Kevin Durant vs. Clippers F Kawhi Leonard
Durant (25.3 PPG, 15th in NBA; 50.5% FG) torched LA for 37 points in their last meeting. Leonard (questionable but expected back soon; 24.1 PPG) is the Clippers’ best perimeter stopper (1.1 BPG), but his load management and recent minutes limit could allow KD to feast from mid-range. Durant’s over 24.5 points is a strong prop.
Rockets C Alperen Sengun vs. Clippers C Ivica Zubac
Sengun (23.1 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 50.5% FG) returns to bully Zubac (11.7 PPG, 9.2 RPG), who’s solid but undersized against Houston’s pick-and-roll schemes. Sengun’s playmaking (7.1 APG) exploits LA’s slow rotations; expect him to post a double-double early.
Clippers G Norman Powell vs. Rockets F Jabari Smith Jr.
Powell (22.4 PPG off bench) thrives in spot-up situations but draws Smith’s switchable defense (15.3 PPG, 36.4% 3PT). Smith has clamped wings to under 18 points in four of his last six games. Powell’s scoring burst could keep LA competitive if he hits 20+.
Rockets G Aaron Holiday vs. Clippers Bench
Holiday (backup spark; 12.5 PPG last five) exploits LA’s second unit, which ranks 28th in bench scoring (28.1 PPG). His recent 19-point outing vs. Dallas highlights his value in a fast-paced game.
These matchups favor Houston’s versatility, but Harden’s wizardry could force adjustments.
Team Records
Los Angeles Clippers: 6-18 (14th in Western Conference)
3-9 on the road, averaging 111.6 PPG (22nd) while allowing 116.8 (25th). Turnover-prone (+1.2 margin) and poor from three (35.2%, 24th), they’re 2-8 in their last 10.
Houston Rockets: 15-6 (3rd in Western Conference)
8-2 at home, averaging 118.2 PPG (8th) and holding foes to 110.4 (7th). Elite rebounding (+5.2 margin) and defense (8.9 SPG, 4th), with a 14-7 ATS record.
Houston holds the head-to-head tiebreaker potential in the season series (1-0 so far, but more meetings ahead).
Recent Team Forms
The Clippers are reeling with a 1-4 mark over their last five, plagued by poor shooting and defensive lapses. The Rockets, despite a slip in Dallas, have won three of five, leaning on balanced scoring and rebounding dominance.
| Clippers Last 5 Games | Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| @ MIN | Dec 6 | Away | L 106-109 | Harden 28 PTS, 6 AST; 47.1% FG but 12 TOs. |
| @ MEM | Dec 5 | Away | L 98-107 | Powell 24 PTS; Defense allows 52% FG. |
| @ ATL | Dec 3 | Away | W 115-92 | Leonard 22 PTS, 10 REB; Hold Hawks under 100. |
| @ MIA | Dec 1 | Away | L 123-140 | Harden 30 PTS; Blown out in 3rd quarter. |
| vs. DAL | Nov 29 | Home | L 110-114 | Zubac 18 REB; Late rally falls short. |
Form Notes: 1-4, outscored 104-112. Road woes (0-4) and 30.8% from three highlight inefficiencies.
| Rockets Last 5 Games | Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| @ DAL | Dec 6 | Away | L 109-122 | Durant 27 PTS; 20 TOs, poor 3rd quarter. |
| vs. PHX | Dec 5 | Home | W 117-98 | Sengun 25 PTS, 12 REB; Defense forces 18 TOs. |
| vs. SAC | Dec 3 | Home | W 121-95 | Thompson 20 PTS, 8 REB; 52.7% FG efficiency. |
| @ UTA | Dec 1 | Away | L 125-133 | Durant 32 PTS; Overtime loss after rally. |
| @ UTA | Nov 30 | Away | W 129-101 | Smith Jr. 22 PTS; Dominant 63.5% TS%. |
Form Notes: 3-2, outscored 120-110. Home wins by 20+ average; Sengun’s return boosts interior scoring.
Series History
The all-time series favors Houston 128-92, but the Clippers have been competitive lately, splitting the last 10 meetings 5-5 with an average total of 218.4 points. The Rockets won the most recent clash 117-106 on Dec. 8, 2024, led by Durant’s 28 points. In Houston, the Rockets are 7-3 over the last 10 home games vs. LA, covering in six. Recent trends show overs hitting in 7 of 10 (average 225.2 points), fueled by transition play. This season’s series (2 more games left) could be a playoff preview if Houston maintains its perch.
Betting Trends
Spread: 72% of bets/78% of handle on Rockets -9.5 (public loving home fave). Clippers 7-17 ATS overall, 2-10 as road dogs; Rockets 14-7 ATS, 5-2 as 9.5+ favorites.
Total: 58% bets on Over 220.5 (85% handle), as 12 of Houston’s 24 games hit over and Clippers games average 228.4 combined. Under has cashed in 6 of LA’s last 8 road games.
Moneyline: 75% bets on Rockets, but Clippers +315 value for upset (1-10 as +300 dogs). Rockets 12-2 straight-up as home favorites.
Key Trends: Houston 9-3 ATS in last 12 home vs. West; Clippers 3-7 ATS in last 10 vs. Southwest Division. Sharp money on Rockets covering double-digits.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Clippers 222.5
Houston Rockets – 9.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 10, 2025
