The Brooklyn Nets (23-13) visit Toyota Center Wednesday to play the Houston Rockets (11-22) at 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Nets-Rockets odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.
Brooklyn is the odds-on favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals and is trampling foes recently. The Nets have won nine of their last 10 games and covered the spread in each of those victories. They outscored opponents 120.1-110.4 in those games.
The Rockets are on the opposite side of the performance-spectrum and have lost 12 straight (1-11 ATS) since C Christian Wood went out due to an ankle injury. Over the 12-game span, Houston is last in net rating, rebounding percentage and effective field-goal shooting.
Nets at Rockets: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:35 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Nets -500 (bet $500 to win $100) | Rockets +375 (bet $100 to win $375)
- Against the spread/ATS: Nets -10 (-110) | Rockets +10 (-110)
- Over/Under: 229.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Nets at Rockets: Key injuries
Nets
- PF Jeff Green (shoulder) out
- SF Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (knee) out
- SF Kevin Durant (hamstring) out
Rockets
- SG Eric Gordon (knee) questionable
- SF Danuel House Jr. (knee) questionable
- SF David Nwaba (wrist) out
- SF Rodions Kurucs (oblique) out
- C Christian Wood (ankle) out
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Nets at Rockets: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Nets 123, Rockets 119
Money line (ML)
PASS with a lean on Rockets (+375) because I like Houston to cover the spread and often will sprinkle on an underdog’s money line when taking them to cover.
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Against the spread (ATS)
There’s really no statistical justification for backing the ROCKETS +10 (-110) in this spot, but this is Houston’s Super Bowl and all the Brooklyn edges are accounted for in the bookmakers’ opening line.
Despite Houston tanking since Wood’s absence, Nets-Rockets opened with Brooklyn favored by 6.5 points and it’s been steamed up to 10 points based on no new information.
According to Pregame.com, nearly 90% of the market is taking the Nets in this spot and it’s typically a profitable strategy fading this lopsided of a betting market.
Furthermore, based on how Nets G James Harden exited Houston after nine seasons, the Rockets are going to be amped for his return to Houston. Motivation is vital in NBA regular-season handicapping and I don’t see Harden being motivated to crush his former team.
Rockets’ owner Tilman Fertitta announced Houston will be retiring Harden’s jersey, Harden got to pick his destination and the Brooklyn experience thus far is everything he could’ve hoped for.
BET the ROCKETS +10 (-110) for 1.25 units to cover against a fat-and-happy Nets team.
Over/Under (O/U)
Since Wood has been out of the lineup, Houston is averaging the third-most 3-point attempts per game and given Brooklyn’s shaky defense, I like the Rockets to get hot from deep tonight.
Also, there’s a very thin chance Houston’s defense is able to bottle up Brooklyn’s league-leading offense, so I expect a motivated Rockets team to at least keep up with the Nets’ scoring.
GIMME OVER 229.5 (-110) for 1 unit.
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Also see:
- Durant ruled out through NBA All-Star break (Nets Wire)
- Harden excited for Houston return, cites mad love from fans (Rockets Wire)
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