Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Clippers: prediction & betting tips 12/07/2025

Both the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers are just getting underway in their NBA Summer League campaigns, but their offseason activities have already sparked significant interest. The Rockets have been actively reshaping their roster following a strong close to the regular season, while the Clippers, after a difficult playoff elimination, have also embarked on a squad rebuild. While the Rockets defeated the Clippers three times during the regular season, the dynamics in Las Vegas are different — depth and bench motivation are the deciding factors here.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets enter the tournament with an experimental roster that lacks a clear leader. In last year’s NBA Summer League, the squad relied heavily on its starting five, offering limited opportunities for the bench. This time around, however, no single player has emerged as the main figure within the team. The offseason has been eventful for the Rockets: Kevin Durant has joined the franchise, Fred VanVleet remains in place, while Jalen Green has been traded. However, these changes pertain to the main roster and are unlikely to directly influence the Summer League campaign.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers have also been active this summer. They have retained James Harden, added Brook Lopez, but parted ways with Norman Powell. One of their key strengths is the cohesion of their reserve unit. The players brought to Las Vegas already possess valuable game experience, and the coaching staff, headed by Tyronn Lue, are seriously considering them for regular season roles. Notable contributors include Cam Christie, Kobe Brown, Kobe Sanders, and Yanic Niederhauser. Crucially, this group displays strong on-court chemistry and control of tempo — in stark contrast to the disjointed structure of the Houston Rockets.

Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Clippers Prediction

Last season, both the Los Angeles Clippers and the Houston Rockets were among the league’s top six in defensive rating. However, the Clippers currently show greater cohesion and tactical discipline. Their bench is clearly more capable, and, judging by the line-up, the squad’s motivation appears to be high.