PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's Total of the Week
(NBA) Houston vs. LA Clippers,
Total: 217.00 | -110.00 Over
Result: Loss
Total: 217.00 | -110.00 Over
Result: Loss
The zigs and zags of trying to master the NBA playoffs just don't come when playing sides. Totals also have to be considered.
The Rockets-Clippers have gone Over in both games of their series. Now we come to Game 3 where the total is the highest of the series - at least five points higher than it was in Game 1.
There were 224 points scored in the last game. The Rockets set a franchise record in free throw attempts at 64 and in free throws made with 42 during the last game.
Look for things to unfold different here. The Clippers aren't likely to have Chris Paul. Without Paul the pace gets slower. If Paul sits out the Clippers are hurt offensively. Austin Rivers played decently in place of Paul, but he's far from Paul. Very far. If Paul plays he'll be severely hobbled, which also will mean a slower pace.
The Clippers probably wouldn't mind a slower tempo anyways since they have been playing every other day since the third game of the Spurs series. Blake Griffin especially looked gassed at the end of Game 2.
Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan are two of the best - if not the best - defensive big men. Trevor Ariza and Josh Smith are solid defenders, too, even though the Rockets are perceived as being weak defensively.
Jamal Crawford is cold missing 26 of 40 shots from the field in the series. The Clippers count on Crawford's scoring off the bench.
The Clippers' defensive intensity should really be up after last game and compensating for Paul. The under has cashed eight of the past 10 times when the Clippers have lost in their last game.
The Rockets-Clippers have gone Over in both games of their series. Now we come to Game 3 where the total is the highest of the series - at least five points higher than it was in Game 1.
There were 224 points scored in the last game. The Rockets set a franchise record in free throw attempts at 64 and in free throws made with 42 during the last game.
Look for things to unfold different here. The Clippers aren't likely to have Chris Paul. Without Paul the pace gets slower. If Paul sits out the Clippers are hurt offensively. Austin Rivers played decently in place of Paul, but he's far from Paul. Very far. If Paul plays he'll be severely hobbled, which also will mean a slower pace.
The Clippers probably wouldn't mind a slower tempo anyways since they have been playing every other day since the third game of the Spurs series. Blake Griffin especially looked gassed at the end of Game 2.
Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan are two of the best - if not the best - defensive big men. Trevor Ariza and Josh Smith are solid defenders, too, even though the Rockets are perceived as being weak defensively.
Jamal Crawford is cold missing 26 of 40 shots from the field in the series. The Clippers count on Crawford's scoring off the bench.
The Clippers' defensive intensity should really be up after last game and compensating for Paul. The under has cashed eight of the past 10 times when the Clippers have lost in their last game.
