A six-game road winning streak hangs in the balance for the Houston Rockets (21-9), who will be 10.5-point favorites when they take on the Golden State Warriors (7-24) at Chase Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 228 points and action starts at 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 25, 2019.
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Betting Odds
Both teams covered as favorites in their last outing. The Warriors (1-point favorites) defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-104, while the Rockets (6-point favorites) beat the Sacramento Kings 113-104. The Golden State game finished 3.5 points under the projected point total of 220.5, while the Houston game went 13 points under the projected point total of 230.
Houston dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a turnover percentage of 10.2 (better than their season average of 12.6) and a free throw rate of 0.230 (matching their season average). Sacramento was 14.9 and 0.172, respectively, for those same stats. The Warriors, on the other hand, had a solid offensive rebounding percentage of 29.5 (above their season average of 22.9) and had a free throw rate of 0.291 (above their season average of 0.215). Alec Burks led the way for Golden State, finishing with 25 points and eight assists. Houston, meanwhile, was led by James Harden, who recorded 34 points, five rebounds and five assists.
In their first matchup this year, Harden led the Rockets to a 129-112 victory. He notched a double-double with 36 points and 13 assists. The two teams combined to score 241 points, which was over the projected point total of 228.5, and Houston covered as a 16-point favorite. Houston’s effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Golden State. The Rockets had a rate of 0.603 while the Warriors posted a mark of 0.464.
Matchups including the Rockets tend to finish under the projected point total (56.7 percent). Houston heads into the game with records of 21-9 straight up (SU) and 16-14 against the spread (ATS).
Coinciding with Houston, just over half of Warriors games have finished under the projected point total. Additionally, Golden State owns records of 7-24 SU and 14-17 ATS.
Houston could dominate on the offensive side of the ball as their high-powered offense squares off against one of the league’s worst defenses. The Rockets currently rank third in offensive efficiency, while Golden State ranks 23rd in defensive efficiency.
Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Rockets average 14.2 second chance points per game, which ranks seventh in the league. The Warriors rank 16th in second chance points allowed per game (13.4).
- Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (45.0) while Golden State ranks 28th (28.9).
- The Rockets rank fifth in rebounds per game (47.2) while the Warriors rank 22nd (43.6).
- Houston averages 8.4 steals per game, which ranks fourth in the league. Golden State ranks 19th in steals allowed per game (8.0).
- Houston ranks 18th in points in the paint per game (46.7) while Golden State ranks 27th (44.1).
- The Rockets average 19.1 points off turnovers per game, which ranks fourth in the league. The Warriors rank 23rd in points off turnovers allowed per game (18.8).
- The Warriors average 23.9 assists per game, which ranks 15th in the league. The Rockets rank 27th in assists allowed per game (25.8).
- Houston averages 5.0 blocks per game, which ranks 14th in the NBA. Golden State ranks 22nd in blocks allowed per game (5.6).
- Houston averages 15.0 fast break points per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA. Golden State ranks 23rd in fast break points allowed per game (14.2).
- Houston is 2-0 when they allow below 100 points, while Golden State is 3-1.
- When reaching 100 points, the Rockets are 21-8 and the Warriors are 7-15.
- Houston is 10-6 ATS on the road, while Golden State is 6-8 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 9 of the Warriors’ 14 home games, while 10 of the Rockets’ 16 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Houston and Golden State are both 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Rockets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.4, down from 5.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Warriors have scored an average of 103.2 points per game (1.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 108.4 points per game (4.9 below their season average).
