Houston Rockets at LA Clippers on Monday, March 8 is about as close to a coin flip as the ratings get, with the Clippers at only 53%. Small things like rest, health and shooting variance should decide it.
Why it is so close
The Win Meter reads the Clippers 53%, with a projected score of Houston Rockets 114, LA Clippers 115. The rating gap is 77 points in favor of the Rockets, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Clippers on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 47 times in 100 games like this, the Rockets would win.
Recent form
The Rockets are 3-0 this season and 4-1 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +3. The Clippers are 1-2 this season and 2-3 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +2.
The Rockets' best recent win was 128-110 at home against DAL.
The Rockets were beaten 98-78 at home by LAL not long ago.
The Clippers' best recent win was 121-96 at home against SAC.
Offense against defense
The Rockets score 121 a game and allow 111.3. The Clippers score 113 and allow 109.7. Pairing each offense with the other defense points to about 115.4 for the Rockets and 112.2 for the Clippers, a simple check on the Win Meter's projection.
The Rockets' offense is the stronger unit against the Clippers' defense.
Injuries to watch
Out: Steven Adams (HOU), expected back Oct 28, 2026, Marcus Smart (HOU), expected back Oct 28, 2026, Quadir Copeland (HOU), Julian Phillips (HOU), and Bradley Beal (LAC), expected back Nov 8, 2026.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Rockets lead 5-3, with the Rockets outscoring the Clippers by an average of 1.1 points per game. The last meeting was LAC 105, HOU 102.