The Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs collide at the AT&T Center on Friday night.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The Houston Rockets seem to have picked up right from where they left off last season as they are coming into this one fresh off a 116-86 road loss to the Magic. Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and Alperen Sengun each scored 14 points while Jalen Green chipped in with 10 points, but no other player scored more than eight points. As a team, the Rockets shot just 40 percent from the field and 12 of 34 from the 3-point line as they struggled to find their offense from the start, scoring just 20 points in the first quarter, before they managed just 17 points in the fourth quarter to make it a complete blowout.
San Antonio Spurs Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs have a lot more to be optimistic about despite coming into this one fresh off a 126-119 loss to the Mavericks on Wednesday. Devin Vassell led the team with 23 points on nine of 17 shooting, Keldon Johnson added 17 points with nine rebounds and seven assists while Tyus Jones chipped in with 16 points and six assists off the bench. As a team, the Spurs shot 51 percent from the field and 11 of 35 from the 3-point line as they exploded for 43 points in the first quarter to take the early lead, only to allow the Mavericks off the hook in the fourth quarter. Victor Wembanyama had a mixed outing as he finished with 15 points on six of nine shooting while battling foul trouble all game.
Peter’s Pick
The Rockets will likely come out swinging after such a disappointing performance on Wednesday, but I need to see their new lineup win at least one game before I start changing my mind about this team. The Spurs looked pretty good in the preseason and they could’ve easily beaten the Mavericks in their last outing if Wembanyama didn’t get into foul trouble. This should be a close one, but I’d prefer a play on the Spurs at the short line at home.