Rockets vs. Clippers: Preview, Betting & Prediction

Rockets vs. Clippers: Showdown in Los Angeles

The Houston Rockets (11-14) travel to Crypto.com Arena to face the Los Angeles Clippers (13-12) in a crucial Western Conference matchup on Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025. This game comes as the Rockets conclude their grueling six-game road trip, while the Clippers aim to bounce back after a narrow overtime loss to Houston just weeks ago.

Recent Form and Context

The Rockets enter this contest reeling from a heart-wrenching 125-124 overtime defeat to the Sacramento Kings. The loss highlighted Houston's ongoing struggles with maintaining leads late in games – a recurring theme under Coach Ime Udoka. Despite this, the young core continues to impress, with veterans like Kevin Durant providing steady leadership. Meanwhile, the Clippers are navigating injuries, missing key contributors such as Ivica Zubac, Bradley Beal, and Derrick Jones Jr., which has impacted their defensive cohesion.

Last Meeting: A Thriller at the Toyota Center

When these teams met on December 6th, it was a back-and-forth battle that saw the Rockets escape with a 112-110 victory. The game's defining moment came in the final seconds when Amen Thompson secured a crucial putback layup while drawing a foul, completing a four-point play. Thompson's heroism underscored the Rockets' ability to win close games behind their young talent, while the Clippers' resilience kept them within striking distance until the final buzzer.

Injury Report: Key Absences Impact Both Teams

Both teams will be shorthanded for this matchup:

Rockets: Dorian Finney-Smith is out indefinitely with an ankle injury, while Tari Eason is questionable (GTD) after missing the last two games with a similar issue.
Clippers: The absence of Zubac (ankle) and Beal (hamstring) cripples their frontcourt and backcourt depth. Derrick Jones Jr.'s (calf) absence further weakens their wing defense.

These injuries create significant matchups to watch, particularly how Houston's young forwards exploit the Clippers' depleted frontcourt.

Betting Preview: Popular Angles at FanDuel

Sportsbooks are highlighting several intriguing betting props for this game:

Player Performance Bets: Amen Thompson over 4.5 points (+186), Jabari Smith over 3.5 points (+186), and Alperen Sengun over 5.5 points (+186) all capitalize on Houston's young stars attacking a vulnerable Clippers defense.
First-Quarter Fireworks: Bets on Thompson and Smith to score in the opening quarter suggest a fast start for Houston.
Durant's Role: Kevin Durant over 6.5 points (+186) reflects his increased usage with Eason potentially sidelined.

The same-game parlay market is buzzing with combinations like Thompson, Smith, and Durant all hitting their first-quarter points, offering juicy returns.

Prediction and Key Takeaways

With the Clippers missing three rotation players, the Rockets' depth advantage becomes crucial. Houston's frontcourt duo of Smith and Sengun could dominate against Zubac's absence, while their perimeter defense might exploit Beal's injury. Expect the Rockets to push the pace early, leveraging the betting market's focus on first-quarter points.

However, the Clippers' resilience and home-court advantage could keep this game close. Durant's scoring will be pivotal, but Houston's youth movement may ultimately tip the scale. Our prediction: Rockets 112, Clippers 108, as Houston's depth and recent close-game experience prevail in a high-scoring affair.