Hornets vs. Rockets Prediction
The Rockets are nearly a double-digit home favorite tonight against the Hornets – will they cover?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Rockets are 9.5-point home favorites versus the Hornets while the over/under currently sits at 224.5 points. Houston opened as a 9.5-point favorite so the spread hasn’t changed as of this writing, but the total has jumped from 220.5 up to 224.5.
Nicolas Batum is doubtful to play tonight against the Rockets because of a knee injury. Marco Belinelli, Jeremy Lamb and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will all see more time and opportunities with Batum out. Cody Zeller, meanwhile, is being listed as questionable for tonight’s game due to an illness. Roy Hibbert and Spencer Hawes could divide Zeller’s minutes.
James Harden secured his 10th triple-double of the season on Sunday in Toronto, racking up 40 points with 10 rebounds, 11 assists and 10 turnovers in the victory over the Raptors. Eric Gordon added 19 points off the bench while Trevor Ariza scored 17 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Speaking of Gordon, he’s questionable for tonight’s game due to a sprained big toe.
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OUR PREDICTION: The Hornets are just 1-9-1 against the spread in their last 11 games in Houston and are 3-7-1 against the number in their last 11 games overall versus the Rockets. The home team is also 15-5-2 at the betting window in the last 22 meetings between these two teams and the favorite is 16-4-2 against the spread in the last 22 meetings between these two teams. Houston has been the best bet in the NBA this season, covering at a 66.7% clip. No reason to bet against the Rockets now.
TUESDAY NBA PREDICTION: HOUSTON ROCKETS -9.5