The Rockets host the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night in Houston’s first home game of the NBA’s 2020-21 regular season. If you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck!
We have the latest point spread, moneyline odds, and over-under numbers from the Rockets versus Kings clash, as well as all the information you’ll need to make the smartest bets on BetMGM.
For the first time, the Rockets will be at close to full strength. While reserve guard Ben McLemore remains in self-isolation, all other rotation players who missed the initial two games due to a mandatory quarantine are cleared to play on New Year’s Eve. That includes starting point guard John Wall and key veteran reserves Eric Gordon and DeMarcus Cousins.
Thursday’s tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Central, with the New Year’s Eve game shown in Houston markets on AT&T SportsNet Southwest.
[lawrence-related id=42660]
Houston native De’Aaron Fox leads the Kings with averages of 20.3 points and 6.8 assists per game, which will present a challenge to Wall. Now healthy, the five-time All-Star guard said Wednesday that he expects to be a strong defender this season, and Fox will put that to the test.
Thursday will be Wall’s first regular-season NBA game in more than two calendar years, so he’s likely to be quite motivated.
https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=LH9LdQpavH-1089673-7498&format=json&offsetx=0&offsety=0&floatwidth=400&floatposition=bottom-right&float=on
Fox and the young Kings (3-1) finished No. 12 in the Western Conference last season with a 31-41 record, well below No. 4 Houston. But they’ve been a revelation early this season, with two impressive wins over Denver (the West’s No. 3 team a year ago) and a third victory against Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and the rising Phoenix Suns. On ther other hand, the winless Rockets (0-2) might have a greater sense of urgency.
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: Rockets -4.5 (-115), Kings +4.5 (-105)
- Moneyline: Rockets -200/Kings +170
- Over-under: 230.5 (-110)
- Player O/U Scoring Props: James Harden 30.5 (-110 O, -115 U), Christian Wood 20.5 (-105 O, -120 U); John Wall 19.5 (-115 O, -110 U); De’Aaron Fox 22.5 (-120 O, -105 U), Buddy Hield 20.5 (-115 O, -110 U); Marvin Bagley III 14.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, MI, NV, NJ, PA, TN, and WV at BetMGM.
Advice and prediction
Wearing new blue uniforms with a customized court to match, the Rockets should be energized by the return of three key veterans (Wall, Gordon, and Cousins). Moreover, they could find a further boost from the home crowd of up to 4,500 fans at Toyota Center — a rare event in the NBA during the 2020-21 season and the pandemic. Houston is also the side likely to play with a higher sense of urgency, given the season’s slow start for the Rockets and the initial burst by the Kings. Thursday’s game could offer an opportunity for the new-look Rockets to finally launch.
Prediction: 121-112, Rockets
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-related id=42656,42630]
[listicle id=42635]