Raptors vs. Rockets Pick
Are the host Houston Rockets going to stay on cruise control tonight when they play the Toronto Raptors at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Rockets are a 6.5-point favorite on the spread line. The over-under is set at 220 points.
Toronto comes in with a 7-5 overall record and 6-6 ATS after a 95-94 loss at the Celtics. Houston is 11-3 overall and 8-6 ATS following a 118-95 victory at the Pacers, their sixth consecutive win. The two meetings last season were split 1-1 straight up and ATS. The over went 2-0.
The Raptors were paced by DeMar DeRozan as he tallied 24 points and four assists in the loss at Boston. Kyle Lowry contributed 19 points and seven assists. CJ Miles added 10 points off the bench. Toronto was outscored 51-45 in the second half.
James Harden had another monster game in the win at Indiana with 26 points, 15 assists, six rebounds and two steals. Clint Capela recorded 20 points and 17 rebounds. Eric Gordon added 21 points and four assists. The Rockets outscored the hosts 35-18 in the first quarter.
The over is 4-0 in the last four meetings. Toronto is 0-4 ATS in its last four games overall.
Not only is Houston rolling, but word is that it might get point guard Chris Paul back from injury as early as this week. He is out tonight, however, as the Rockets face a formidable foe in the Raptors. Harden is playing at an extremely high level over the past couple weeks, but the Raptors have a guard in DeRozan who is capable of filling it up as well. Look for DeRozan to have a big game and keep Toronto in it right until the end.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: TORONTO RAPTORS +6.5