Neither the Rockets nor the Raptors played on Friday. They won’t be engaged in action on Saturday either. Strange scheduling, given that there wasn’t much NBA action this past week with the NBA Cup semi-finals and final happening which already awarded extra days off. Be that as it may, both teams should be relatively fresh for this contest. Houston was at home to the basement-dwelling New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday and crushed them 133-113. Toronto was also at home on the same evening, but lost to the Brooklyn Nets, 101-94.

Check our NBA odds as they develop.

Rockets vs. Raptors NBA Betting Odds

That Toronto has thoroughly dominated recent regular season matches with Houston goes to show how quickly the latter has risen from the ashes, as they’re considered one of the finer NBA teams this season. The Raptors have won five of the last six games and six of the most recent eight. The last time the Rockets came to Ontario and won was five years ago in December 2019.

Houston’s relative success this season has many explanations. First, Ime Udoka is a fine head coach. Second, the Rockets have a superb player-by-player stat line: although no one averages 20 points a game, seven average over 10. They are: Jalen Green (19.5), Alperen Sengun (18.8), former Raptor Fred VanVleet (15.2), Dillon Brooks (13.1), Jabari Smith Jr. (11.9), Amen Thompson (11.8), and Tari Eason (11.3). Speaking of success, betters surely admire their 17-10-0 record against this year.

That, however, still can’t compare to Toronto’s splendid 18-9-1 tally ATS. Funnily enough, the Raptors have not covered twice in a row, with one of those results being their lone push thus far. That’s the good part. The bad part is the injury bug continues to bite them. Currenly, RJ Barrett (illness), Davion Mitchell (shoulder), and Jakob Poeltl (groin) are all listed as questionable. Lastly, it’s a good thing this is a home game because that’s where the Raps have earned six of their seven wins this season.

Houston Rockets

After a disappointing result against the Oklahoma City Thunder last weekend in the NBA Cup, Houston was given a bit of a gift on Thursday as they headed home to play the awful Pelicans.

Not that the latter’s predicament is entirely their fault. The Pels are decimated by injuries (what else is new). The hosts rightly grounded the Pelicans 133-113 in a game they led by as many as 26 at one point.

All starters hit at least 10 points, with Jalen Green going off for a game-high 34, including some world-class dunks. Not to be overlooked, Dillon Brooks was on a veritable heat check from distance, hitting six of his 10 shots from beyond the arc and finishing with 26 points in total. Ball movement was key in this game, with the Rockets making New Orleans’ defence look dazed and confused in the paint plenty of times.

Toronto Raptors

Over in Toronto on Thursday, the Raptors tussled with the Nets in a game that wasn’t decided until quite late in the fourth quarter.

Unfortunately for the hosts, it was a recurring problem that spelled their demise: poor final periods. They were grossly outscored 31-18 during the final 12 minutes, which saw a nine-point advantage devolve into a seven-point defeat, 101-94.

Two main problems afflicted the Raptors. The first was bad defence in the paint, as they coughed up 46 points in that area. Second, they sent Brooklyn to the line a whopping 31 times. The Nets’ 26 conversions on those free throws played a huge role in determining the match’s outcome. On the positive side, Ochai Agbaji continued his fine season with a 20-point night, and Grady Dick wasn’t far behind with 19 – not to mention a solid rebound-slam dunk.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Rockets vs. Raptors?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Rockets Team Leaders

HOU

Points	Jalen Green 21.01
Assists	Fred VanVleet 5.55
Rebounds	Alperen Sengun 10.34
FG%	N'Faly Dante 76.9
Steals	Tari Eason 1.7
Blocks	Amen Thompson 1.29

TOR

Points	RJ Barrett 21.09
Assists	Scottie Barnes 5.82
Rebounds	Jakob Poeltl 9.6
FG%	Jakob Poeltl 62.7
Steals	Scottie Barnes 1.43
Blocks	Jakob Poeltl 1.25

HOU

Points	Jalen Green 22.5
Assists	Amen Thompson 4.5
Rebounds	Alperen Sengun 12.5
FG%	Steven Adams 75
Steals	Alperen Sengun 2.5
Blocks	Jabari Smith Jr. 1

TOR

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Raptors Team Leaders

HOU

Points	Jalen Green 21.01
Assists	Fred VanVleet 5.55
Rebounds	Alperen Sengun 10.34
FG%	N'Faly Dante 76.9
Steals	Tari Eason 1.7
Blocks	Amen Thompson 1.29

TOR

Points	RJ Barrett 21.09
Assists	Scottie Barnes 5.82
Rebounds	Jakob Poeltl 9.6
FG%	Jakob Poeltl 62.7
Steals	Scottie Barnes 1.43
Blocks	Jakob Poeltl 1.25

HOU

Points	Jalen Green 22.5
Assists	Amen Thompson 4.5
Rebounds	Alperen Sengun 12.5
FG%	Steven Adams 75
Steals	Alperen Sengun 2.5
Blocks	Jabari Smith Jr. 1

TOR

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

Injuries

Houston

Jock Landale (C)

Ques Sat Knee - 19 / 04 / 25

Tari Eason (SF)

Ques Sun Leg - 11 / 04 / 25

Jae'Sean Tate (SF)

Out Indefinitely Ankle - 11 / 04 / 25

Jabari Smith Jr. (PF)

Ques Sun Groin - 09 / 04 / 25

Fred VanVleet (PG)

Ques Sun Ankle - 09 / 04 / 25

Jabari Smith Jr. (PF)

Ques Sun Ankle - 06 / 04 / 25

Fred VanVleet (PG)

Ques Fri Ankle - 02 / 04 / 25

Steven Adams (C)

Ques Sun Wrist - 28 / 03 / 25

Steven Adams (C)

Ques Thurs Wrist - 26 / 03 / 25

Tari Eason (SF)

Ques Mon Leg - 15 / 03 / 25

Toronto

Chris Boucher (PF)

Ques Sun Illness - 13 / 04 / 25

Ochai Agbaji (SG)

Ques Fri Rest - 09 / 04 / 25

Jamal Shead (SG)

Ques Fri Rest - 09 / 04 / 25

Jakob Poeltl (C)

Out Sun Hand - 08 / 04 / 25

Ja'Kobe Walter (SG)

Out Sun Hip - 08 / 04 / 25

Scottie Barnes (SF)

Ques Wed Hand - 04 / 04 / 25

Scottie Barnes (SF)

Ques Thurs Finger - 02 / 04 / 25

Jakob Poeltl (C)

Out Sun Rest - 29 / 03 / 25

Immanuel Quickley (SG)

Out Sun Rest - 29 / 03 / 25

Jakob Poeltl (C)

Ques Fri Rest - 26 / 03 / 25

Injuries

Houston

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Jock Landale (C)	Ques Sat	Knee - 19 / 04 / 25	0-2	1-1	+ -
Landale is fighting off an ankle injury, and it remains to be seen if he will to be available for the Playoff round game 3 against the Warriors on Saturday.
Tari Eason (SF)	Ques Sun	Leg - 11 / 04 / 25	0-4	3-1	+ -
Eason is managing a left lower leg injury, and it is unknown if he will play Sunday versus Nuggets.
Jae'Sean Tate (SF)	Out Indefinitely	Ankle - 11 / 04 / 25	0-4	3-1	+ -
Tate is fighting off a right ankle impingement, and he will miss an extended period.
Jabari Smith Jr. (PF)	Ques Sun	Groin - 09 / 04 / 25	1-4	3-2	+ -
Smith is battling a left groin soreness, and it is unknown if he will suit up for the Playoff first round against the Warriors on Sunday.
Fred VanVleet (PG)	Ques Sun	Ankle - 09 / 04 / 25	1-4	3-2	+ -
VanVleet is managing a right ankle soreness, and it remain to seen if he will play Sunday versus Nuggets.
Jabari Smith Jr. (PF)	Ques Sun	Ankle - 06 / 04 / 25	2-4	4-2	+ -
Smith is dealing with an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Warriors on Sunday.
Fred VanVleet (PG)	Ques Fri	Ankle - 02 / 04 / 25	3-5	5-3	+ -
VanVleet is hampered by a right ankle soreness, and it has yet to be established if he will be active against the Thunder on Friday.
Steven Adams (C)	Ques Sun	Wrist - 28 / 03 / 25	4-7	7-4	+ -
Adam is dealing with wrist injury, and it is uncertain if he will face the Suns on Sunday.
Steven Adams (C)	Ques Thurs	Wrist - 26 / 03 / 25	4-7	7-4	+ -
Adams is dealing with a right wrist pain, and it is unknown if he will be active against the Jazz on Thursday.
Tari Eason (SF)	Ques Mon	Leg - 15 / 03 / 25	6-11	12-5	+ -
Eason is dealing with a leg injury, and it is uncertain if he will play Monday versus 76ers.

Toronto

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Chris Boucher (PF)	Ques Sun	Illness - 13 / 04 / 25	0-1	1-0	+ -
Boucher is ailing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the the Spurs on Sunday.
Ochai Agbaji (SG)	Ques Fri	Rest - 09 / 04 / 25	2-1	3-0	+ -
Agbaji was rested in the previous game, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Mavericks on Friday.
Jamal Shead (SG)	Ques Fri	Rest - 09 / 04 / 25	2-1	3-0	+ -
Shead was rested in the previous game, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Mavericks on Friday.
Jakob Poeltl (C)	Out Sun	Hand - 08 / 04 / 25	2-1	3-0	+ -
Poeltl is dealing with a right hand contusion, and he is unlikely to dress against the Spurs on Sunday.
Ja'Kobe Walter (SG)	Out Sun	Hip - 08 / 04 / 25	2-1	3-0	+ -
Walter is dealing with a right hip soreness, and he is not expected to play against the Spurs on Sunday.
Scottie Barnes (SF)	Ques Wed	Hand - 04 / 04 / 25	2-3	3-2	+ -
Barner is battling with a right hand injury, and it is up in the air if he will face the Hornets on Wednesday.
Scottie Barnes (SF)	Ques Thurs	Finger - 02 / 04 / 25	2-4	4-2	+ -
Barnes is bothered by a finger joint contusion, and it remains to be seen if he will be available against the Trail Blazers on Thursday.
Jakob Poeltl (C)	Out Sun	Rest - 29 / 03 / 25	4-4	5-3	+ -
Poeltl has been rested, and he is not projected to suit up against the 76ers on Sunday.
Immanuel Quickley (SG)	Out Sun	Rest - 29 / 03 / 25	4-4	5-3	+ -
Quickly has been rested, and he is not projected to suit up against the 76ers on Sunday.
Jakob Poeltl (C)	Ques Fri	Rest - 26 / 03 / 25	6-4	5-5	+ -
Poeltl is getting rest, and it is unclear if he will be available versus the Hornets on Friday.