The Houston Rockets (50-23) leapfrogged the Memphis Grizzlies into second place in the Western Conference standings thanks to their victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday. The Rockets look to solidify their grip of that spot in the conference when they take on the Toronto Raptors (43-30) tonight. Read on for a full preview of this game. You can also click here for a detailed breakdown of Spurs vs. Heat.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors Preview
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto
When: Monday, March 30, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Houston Rockets (+1.5) vs. Toronto Raptors (-1.5); total: 208.5– view all NBA lines
Betting on the Houston Rockets
Injuries to some of their key players aren’t stopping the Rockets from winning. On Sunday, they extended their win streak to four games after defeating the Washington Wizards, 99-91.
[sc:NBA240banner ]In that game, Houston was without the services of Patrick Beverley, Terrence Jones and Donatas Motiejunas who were all dealing with various ailments. Those three won’t be able to play against Toronto, thus putting the pressure on James Harden and company to figure out a way to win on the road later tonight. The Rockets are 4-0 ATS in their last four road games.
Harden, who leads the team in scoring with 27.2 points per game, should get some help on the offensive end from the likes of Josh Smith and Corey Brewer. Smith is averaging 14.8 points over Houston’s last five games, which includes his 14-point performance in the win over Washington. Brewer, meanwhile, must like this matchup with Toronto, against whom he scored 26 points in Houston’s 98-76 win on February 21.
Dwight Howard, who scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against Washington, will likely sit out tonight’s ballgame as the Rockets plan to rest the big man. Houston opponents are scoring 4.3 points more per 100 possessions when Howard is not on the floor.
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Betting on the Toronto Raptors
Beating the lowly Lakers proves little for Toronto. But the Raptors sure are glad they prevented losing three consecutive games after coming up with a 94-83 win on Friday over the Purple and Gold. Following a two-day break, the well-rested Raptors return to action later tonight, determined to even up their regular season series with Houston.
Behind Jonas Valanciunas’ game-high 19 points and a stout bench, Toronto was able to repulse the Lakers, who held a two-point lead at the half. With Howard and Jones not playing tonight for Houston, expect Toronto to give Valanciunas lots of opportunities to score inside the paint. Valanciunas, who scored 11 points in the first meeting with Houston, is averaging 12.1 points and 8.7 rebounds per game thus far this season.
James Johnson and Louis Williams, meanwhile, provided 35 of the bench’s 43 points against the Lakers. Toronto’s bench production will play a pivotal role against Houston, which has a second unit that produces just 29.3 points per game. On the flipside, Toronto’s relievers put up 38.9 points per contest.
One thing the Raptors did extremely well in their previous loss to Houston was defending against the three. Houston is the top three-point shooting team in the league, averaging 11.5 triples per game, but were held down to just 4-of-18 (22.2%) three-point shooting by the Raptors’ defense.
Toronto is 7-0 SU and ATS in its last seven home games against Houston.
Writer’s Prediction
Toronto (-1.5) wins, 105-103.
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