Charlotte Hornets vs. Houston Rockets Preview
Where: Toyota Center — Houston, Texas
When: Tuesday, January 10, 2017, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Charlotte Hornets (+9.5) vs. Houston Rockets (-9.5); total: 223.5 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: FSS / C+ D
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Betting on the Charlotte Hornets (20-18)
Point Spread: +9.5
Buzz City’s gone quiet of late, losing four of its last five and the previous two. The Hornets fell in San Antonio on Saturday night, 102-85, despite having the lead at the break.
Kemba Walker, who’s averaging a team-leading 23.1 points per game, recorded 18 points, including 4-of-5 from three-point distance. His teammate Jeremy Lamb got the spot start in place of the injured Nicolas Batum, and finished with 13 points and collected eight rebounds.
However, Charlotte’s offense was shut down in the final two quarters where it managed to produce just 35 points compared to 50 in the first half. The Hornets’ also committed 16 turnovers, which turned into 20 San Antonio points.
This matchup with a red-hot Houston team doesn’t look good for the Hornets, who are 8-11 SU and 8-10-1 ATS on the road this season. But they surely won’t be pushed around, particularly on the defensive end where they rank ninth overall in efficiency.
The offense, though, will need to be as consistent as possible in case Charlotte’s D struggles to hold off the Rockets’ up-tempo attack and three-point barrage. The Hornets are averaging 105.2 points per contest.
Betting on the Houston Rockets (30-9)
Point Spread: -9.5
We’ve witnessed a total of 44 triple-doubles thus far this season, with more than half of which – 27 to be precise – have unbelievably come from just two players combined.
Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook has a league-leading 17 triple-doubles, while Houston’s James Harden registered his 10th to carry the Rockets to their eight-consecutive win on Sunday night in Toronto, 129-122.
Harden shot 13-of-26 from the field to eventually end up with 40 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. He also committed 10 turnovers, allowing him to record a dubious quadruple-double. The Bearden One is averaging 29.5 points, 8.6 boards and 12.4 dimes in his last 10 games.
Not only has Harden left many in disbelief with his current play, but Houston now has an NBA-best 19-2 record since Dec. 1 while rising to No. 3 in the Western Conference. It’s hard to see them slow down anytime soon if Harden continues to dazzle.
Houston is 22-5 whenever Harden puts up at least 20 points with 10 or more assists this season.
The Rockets, however, could miss the services of their sixth man, Eric Gordon, who’s dealing with a sprained left big toe. For now, he’s listed as questionable in this game.
Writer’s Prediction
Houston (-9) fends off the Hornets down the stretch, 116-106.
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