The Detroit Pistons (11-29) travel to Toyota Center Friday for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off against the Houston Rockets (11-28). Below, we analyze the Pistons-Rockets odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.
Detroit upset the Toronto Raptors 116-112 Wednesday as a 6.5-point home underdog to end a four-game losing skid. The Pistons have covered the spread in four of their last six games.
The Rockets lost their 18th consecutive game 108-94 Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors. They failed to cover as 11-point home underdogs. Houston is just 2-16 against the spread in its current 18-game skid.
Houston beat Detroit 103-102 as a 3-point road dog earlier this season without leading scorer and rebounder C Christian Wood.
Pistons at Rockets: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:05 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Pistons +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Rockets -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Pistons +1.5 (-110) | Rockets -1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 213.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Pistons at Rockets: Key injuries
Pistons
- SG Hamidou Diallo (groin) out
- SG Wayne Ellington (thigh) out
- PG Killian Hayes (hip) out
- PF Jahlil Okafor (knee) out
Rockets
- PG John Wall (ankle) questionable
- SG Ben McLemore (ankle) questionable
- SG Eric Gordon (groin) out
- SG David Nwaba (wrist) out
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Pistons at Rockets: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Rockets 114, Pistons 105
Money line (ML)
Slight lean on ROCKETS (-125) because I’d rather lay the points than pay the extra vig and/or put it in a money line parlay.
That being said, I love Houston in this spot because with Wood back in the lineup, the Rockets are a team I’m going to start betting.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The ROCKETS -1.5 (-110) signed Wood to be their starting center this offseason, and he was balling before going out with an injury.
He played for Detroit last season and, again, missed the first Pistons-Rockets game this year so this will be his first revenge game.
Also, Houston acquired PG D.J. Augustin via trade a few days ago and while Augustin might not knock your socks off, he is a former starting point guard added to a banged-up Rockets backcourt.
It might be crazy to say this about a team on an 18-game losing streak, but there’s some good value in taking Houston to cover and win by at least 2 points.
GIMME ROCKETS -1.5 (-110) for 1.5 units.
Over/Under (O/U)
PASS because I don’t have a real feel on this total. Both teams have had players coming and going all season and neither has much continuity.
If anything, I lean Over 213.5 (-110) because if Wall and SG Victor Oladipo are playing, Houston could light up Detroit’s backcourt.
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Also see:
- Bet Slippin’ Podcast: 2021 NCAA March Madness Special
- Report: Rockets hope to trade future draft assets for ‘foundation piece’ (Rockets Wire)
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