The Houston Rockets have won eight games in a row, covering the spread in three of their last four as they get ready to host a struggling Charlotte Hornets team tonight at the Toyota Center. The Rockets have the attention of the oddsmakers as they opened as 10-point favorites with the total at 223.5. Interestingly, the spread has been bet down to 8.5 at the writing of this preview.
Hornets vs Rockets Game Center
Standout Stats
- The Hornets are 0-13 SU in their last 13 games in Houston with an average losing margin of 14.6 points.
- Houston is 8-1 SU and 5-4 ATS as a favorite of 9 or more points this season. However, the Rockets have lost ATS in three of their last four games in this spot. Meanwhile, the Hornets are 9-20 SU and 12-16-1 ATS as an underdog of 9 points or less this season, including 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight games in this spot.
- Charlotte is 1-8 SU and 3-6 ATS as a road underdog of more than 7 points this season but has lost its last two games in this spot by 17 and 32 points, respectively.
- The OVER is 4-1 in Charlotte’s last five games as an underdog of 9 points or less. The OVER is 9-1-1 in Houston’s last 11 games as a favorite of 9 points or more. Additionally, these teams played to 231 points in their first meeting of the season, just two weeks ago.
- The O/U is 6-3 in Houston’s nine games as the second half of a back-to-back this season, including 3-1 in the games at the Toyota Center. Additionally, the OVER has hit in seven of Charlotte’s last 10 games.
- Charlotte is averaging a total of 225.6 points per game since the all-star break. Houston is averaging 217 total points; however, the OVER is 9-4 in the Rockets’ games against teams from the Eastern Conference.
- James Harden had a mere 20 points last night in Dallas on 28 percent field-goal shooting. That’s his lowest point output since December 6 when he had 15 points vs Utah and it’s his worst field-goal percentage since Game 5 vs Golden State in last year’s playoffs.
- Only one of the last five games in this matchup has gone OVER the total. In the first meeting between these teams, both teams shot better than 46 percent from the floor, which is well above their season averages – Charlotte 40.4 percent, Houston 38.8 percent.
My Best Bet for Hornets vs Rockets
Rockets -8.5
While I do think that this game could be headed for an OVER, I think the safer bet to make is Houston to cover as a home favorite. Charlotte has been on a miserable ATS run, going 1-7-1 ATS in its last nine games as an underdog and 0-4-1 ATS in its last five games vs the Western Conference.
The Hornets are 0-13 SU in their last 13 games in Houston with an average losing margin of 14.6 points. away The OVER is 9-1-1 in Houston’s last 11 games as a favorite of more than 8.5 points.home Charlotte is 1-8 SU and 3-6 ATS as a road underdog of more than 7 points this season.away
