Rockets vs. Raptors Prediction
Will it be defense that steps up, or offense, when the Toronto Raptors play host to the Houston Rockets in Thursday’s featured NBA game at 7:30PM ET?
503 Houston Rockets vs. 504 Toronto Raptors
Thursday, December 5, 2019
7:30PM ET – Scotiabank Arena
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Toronto is favored at home, as the Raptors are getting odds of -1.5 points against Houston. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 230 points. The public betting currently has 60 percent going on the Raptors as the home favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Rockets fall on the road
Houston is coming off a loss at San Antonio on Tuesday night, albeit controversial, 135-133 in double overtime. The Rockets have dropped four of their last six overall and three straight on the road. Houston is now 13-7 on the season, 5-5 on the road, 10-10 against the spread and 11-9 with the under.
The Rockets have been one of the stronger offenses in the league this year, averaging 120.9 points per game while shooting 44.7 from the field. Defensively, the Rockets are giving up 115.5 points per contest. James Harden is putting up 39.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game. Russell Westbrook has added 21.9 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists per contest.
Raptors win streak ends
Toronto had a 7-game win streak come to an end on Tuesday night in a 121-110 OT loss at home to the Miami Heat. The loss moved the Raptors to 15-5 on the season, 9-1 at home, 13-7 against the spread and 12-8 with the over.
The Raptors have been led by their defense, as they have given up just 105 points per game. Offensively, Toronto is putting up 113.1 points per game while shooting 45.9 percent as a squad. The team recently got both Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka back from the injured list. Those to have combined for over 34 points and 10 rebounds per game. Pascal Siakam is leading the team with 25.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists per outing.
NBA Betting Trends
Houston
The Rockets are 9-3 against the spread in their last 12 games as an underdog and in four straight following a failed cover.
Toronto
The Raptors are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven games following a loss and 25-5 ATS in their last 30 games on 1 day of rest.
Prediction:
The Rockets can score, but how will they handle a team that can actually defend? I think it’s going to be a problem on the road. Toronto is sure to keep Houston below its average scoring, especially with the game being in Canada. The Rockets don’t have a defense to rely on if they can’t score, so I think the Raptors will bounce back from their loss on Tuesday. Toronto is healthy and is going to be getting stronger with each game. I will go with the home team to ride its defense to the win and cover.
NBA Prediction: Toronto Raptors -1.5