It hasn’t been an optimal start to the 2020-21 season for the Houston Rockets, who have now lost five of six games overall while owning the second-worst record (4-9) in the Western Conference, Making matters worse, three starters in John Wall, Christian Wood, and Danuel House Jr. all remain sidelined with short-term injury or health concerns.
But if you squint hard enough, there are potential reasons for optimism in the days ahead. While they have lost five of six, it’s worth noting that four of those losses (Lakers twice, Spurs, and Suns) came to winning teams — and in the case of the Lakers, the defending NBA champions.
Friday’s opponent, on the other hand, is the Pistons — who have the NBA’s worst record and winning percentage (3-11, .214). Then again, for a Houston squad that is on the road, short-handed, and only a game-and-a-half better in the standings, nothing should be taken for granted. After all, as of Friday morning, the Rockets were a slight underdog.
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The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: Pistons -3.5 (-110), Rockets +3.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Pistons -160/Rockets +135
- Over-under: 216.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
- Player O/U Scoring Props: Victor Oladipo 22.5 (-105 O, -120 U), Eric Gordon 18.5 (-115 O, -110 U), PJ Tucker 6.5 (+100 O, -130 U); Jerami Grant 23.5 (-125 O, -105 U), Derrick Rose 15.5 (-105 O, -120 U), Blake Griffin 14.5 (-125 O, -105 U)
Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, MI, NV, NJ, PA, TN, and WV at BetMGM.
From NBA.com’s official game notes, projected starters for Detroit are Delon Wright, Wayne Ellington, Jerami Grant, Blake Griffin, and Mason Plumlee. Meanwhile, the Rockets are listing Victor Oladipo, Eric Gordon, Jae’Sean Tate, PJ Tucker, and DeMarcus Cousins.
Advice and prediction
One encouraging development for the Rockets is the return to form (and health) shown by Gordon. After missing two games with leg tightness late last week, Gordon has averaged 21.5 points per game over his last two outings on 48.6% shooting and 42.9% on 3-pointers. With Wall (left knee soreness) missing from the backcourt for two more games, Houston needs Gordon’s strong play to continue next to Victor Oladipo.
In a matchup of weakness against weakness, Houston’s No. 24 offense (in net rating) is facing off with Detroit’s No. 25 defense. The Rockets should have the backcourt edge with Oladipo and Gordon against Wright and Ellington, and that gives Houston a chance to end its skid.
Prediction: 111-106, Rockets
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
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