Toronto Raptors vs. Houston Rockets Prediction, NBA Odds
Toronto starts a quick two-game road trip with the front end of a back-to-back on Tuesday night as the Raptors visit future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant and the Rockets. Houston is -5.5 on the NBA odds with a total of 217.5.
Raptors vs. Rockets NBA Betting Odds
One of the most popular Raptors players in recent years in guard Fred VanVleet is still with Houston but hasn’t played this season after tearing the ACL in his right knee during an unofficial team workout last September. VanVleet hasn’t ruled out returning at some point in the playoffs, but that’s far from a sure thing.
The Rockets would have been really dangerous in the West with a healthy FVV, and they have never truly replaced his leadership at point guard. As currently constructed, Houston is likely a tier below Oklahoma City, San Antonio and Denver in the West. To win the conference, the Rockets are +2000.
Houston is looking to win four straight vs. Toronto for only the second time (February 1997-March 1999) as the Rockets prevailed 139-121 at Scotiabank Arena on Oct. 29 also as 5.5-point favourites (total was 233.5). Kevin Durant had 31 points, and All-Star centre Alperen Sengun 18 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. The 139 points were the Rockets’ most ever in the series. Houston out-rebounded Toronto a whopping 53-22. Scottie Barnes scored 31 points and Brandon Ingram had 29 in a losing effort.
Overall, the teams have split the past 10 meetings SU, while the Raptors are 4-6 ATS. The over-under is 7-3.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto snapped a two-game skid with an easy 122-92 home win over tanking Dallas on Sunday. RJ Barrett scored a season-high 31 points to reach 8,000 career points. The 25-year-old became the eighth Canadian player to reach the milestone but the youngest. It was tied the biggest margin of victory for the Dinos this season, who improved to 9-11 against Western Conference opponents. Toronto shot 50.5 per cent from the field and is now 17-3 when hitting at least half its shots. Dallas was held to 39.8 per cent as the Raptors improved to 8-0 when holding foes below 40. They are also 8-1 this season when keeping opponents under triple-digit points. First-round rookie forward Collin Murray-Boyles will remain out on this trip with his thumb injury. May mean a few more minute off the bench for Sandro Mamukelashvili, who led Raptors reserves with 13 points Sunday and has now led the bench in scoring a team-best 25 games this season. Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its past six.
Houston Rockets
Houston is battling to finish no worse than fourth in the West standings, so it can have home-court advantage in at least a first-round playoff series. But the team is treading water a bit, having alternated wins and losses over the past six following a 145-120 blowout loss in San Antonio on Sunday. The points allowed were a season high for the Rockets, who are now 10-17 when trailing by double digits at any point in a game this season. Kevin Durant had 23 points and hasn’t topped that number in three straight after scoring at least 30 in each of the three games prior. Houton is 29-8 when leading after three quarters and 10-16 when tied or trailing. The team is 11-10 in games decided by five or fewer points. The Rockets acquired Durant in the off-season for close games, so that record should be better. Houston is 1-4 ATS in its past five.
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