Raptors vs. Rockets Prediction
Can James Harden lead the Houston Rockets to a big win at home when they host the Toronto Raptors tonight at 8PM ET?
571 Toronto Raptors vs. 572 Houston Rockets
Friday, January 25, 2019
8PM ET – Toyota Center
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Raptors are favored on the road, as they are getting odds of -3 points against the Rockets. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 227.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 75 percent going on Toronto on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Raptors rested up
Toronto is coming off a 110-106 loss at Indiana on Wednesday, snapping a three-game win streak. However, the Raptors gave Kawhi Leonard two games off so he will be well rest for tonight’s game. Toronto is 36-14 on the season, 15-10 on the road, 23-27 against the spread and 28-22 with the over.
The Raptors have been one of the best teams in the league throughout the season. They average 113.8 points per game on offense while allowing just 108.2 per game on defense. Leonard has been leading the team with 27.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game this season. Serge Ibaka is adding 16.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per contest.
Rockets struggling to cover
Houston has hit a funk, alternating wins and losses over their last 10 games. The Rockets are coming off a 114-110 win at the Knicks on Wednesday, but they have failed to cover the spread in four straight games. The Rockets are now 27-20 on the season, 17-7 at home, 22-24-1 against the spread and 26-21 with the over.
The Rockets are putting up 112.2 points per game on offense this season while giving up 110.7 points per contest. Their defense is allowing opponents to shoot 47.5 percent. James Harden has been on a crazy scoring run, posting over 31 points in 21 straight games. That includes 13 games over 40 points. He is averaging 36.3 points, 8.3 assists and 6.6 rebounds per game this season. While Clint Capela remains out with a thumb injury, Houston may finally get Chris Paul back tonight. He has been out since Dec. 20 due to a hamstring injury. He is listed as questionable to play tonight, though reports indicate a Sunday return is more likely. Paul averages 15.6 points and 8.0 assists per game this year.
NBA Betting Trends
Toronto
The Raptors are just 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 road games and 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a loss.
Houston
The Rockets are 11-3-1 against the spread in their last 15 home games but 0-5 ATS in their last five following a win.
Prediction:
Harden is on a crazy run right now, but he alone is not getting Houston wins. The Rockets are depleted without Paul and Capela and Harden is having to try and do too much once again. That won’t work tonight against this Toronto team. Leonard is rested and will be a defensive force. Toronto is a team and a good one at that. While they have struggled to cover, the Raptors aren’t giving up many points to a Houston team that has lost at home recently to the Nets and were beaten by 28 at Philadelphia this week.
NBA Prediction: Toronto Raptors -3