The Toronto Raptors play host to the Houston Rockets at the Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday night. Here’s a Raptors vs Rockets Prediction. This article will include a Raptors vs Rockets Pick.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The Houston Rockets were able to snap a two-game skid with a dominant 137-109 home win over the Nets on Monday. Tari Eason led the team with 22 points, five rebounds and five assists off the bench, Alperen Sengun added 21 points with six rebounds and six assists, Kevin Durant had 19 points while Reed Sheppard chipped in with 15 points and eight assists.
As a team, the Rockets shot a sizzling 57 percent from the field and 16 of 32 from the 3-point line as they stormed out to an early double-digit lead with 42 points in the first quarter. Before they put the game to bed early with a 32-17 push in the third quarter to lead by as many as 33 points at one stage.
Toronto Raptors Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors will be hoping to put a halt to a three-game slide after getting routed by the Spurs in a 121-103 road defeat on Monday. RJ Barrett led the team with 25 points on nine of 18 shooting, Collin Murray-Boyles added 19 points on seven of 13 shooting, Immanuel Quickley tallied 15 points with seven assists while Brandon Ingram chipped in with 14 points and five assists.
As a team, the Raptors shot 46 percent from the field and 12 of 32 from the 3-point line, but they got off to such a rough start and were never really a threat after getting outscored by 69-50 in the first half.
Why the Toronto Raptors will win
- The Rockets have lost 23 of their last 26 road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The underdogs have won three of the Raptors’ last four games.
- The Raptors have covered the spread in each of their last eight Wednesday games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games as road favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Raptors have lost each of their last nine games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Rockets have won each of their last nine road games against Eastern Conference opponents following a win.
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against Western Conference opponents.
- The favorites have covered the spread in seven of the Raptors’ last eight games at Scotiabank Arena.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Rockets’ last seven games as road favorites following a home win have gone OVER the total points line.
- Seven of the Raptors’ last eight games have gone OVER the total points line.
Toronto Raptors Player Facts
- Brandon Ingram has recorded four games with 3+ assists this season – equal-most of any player in the league.
- Immanuel Quickley has recorded four games with 3+ assists this season – equal-most of any player in the league.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- Amen Thompson has recorded the most three-point field goal attempts without a make (9) of any player in the league this season.
- Alperen Sengun ranks 2nd amongst qualified Centers for assists per game (6.7) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Raptors rank T1st in the league for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (83.0).
- The Raptors rank 1st for points in the paint (242) this season.
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for free throws made per game this season (29.0).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for opponent free throws made per game this season (15.7).
Raptors vs Rockets Prediction
The Rockets are shorthanded again with Fred VanVleet and Dorian Finney-Smith both out, while the Raptors are keeping an eye on Jacob Poeltl who is listed as doubtful for this contest. The Rockets come into this contest as the team in better shape and their experimental starting lineup has so far been pretty effective given they don’t have a true point guard.
The Raptors will turn things around eventually with players like Barrett and Quickly in the lineup, but they haven’t looked impressive in their past three losses. I don’t like their chances against this surprising Rockets lineup who looked great in their last win in particular.