Houston Rockets vs Toronto Raptors Betting Preview

Date & time: Wednesday, November 23, 8:00 PM

Venue: Toyota Center (Houston)

Head to head record

Houston Rockets vs Toronto Raptors 112-109 (2015/2016 NBA)
Toronto Raptors vs Houston Rockets 107-113 (2015/2016 NBA)
Houston Rockets vs Toronto Raptors 87-95 (2015 pre-season)
Toronto Raptors vs Houston Rockets 99-96 (2014/2015 NBA)
Houston Rockets vs Toronto Raptors 98-76 (2014/2015 NBA)

Houston Rockets vs Toronto Raptors prediction

High-flying Houston Rockets will be aiming to record their fourth consecutive win in the NBA when they host Toronto Raptors at their Toyota Center on Wednesday. Raptors are eager to make amends for back-to-back defeats to the likes of Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings, meaning that a close encounter appears on the cards.

Can anyone stop “The Beard”?

Houston Rockets have been in a thrilling form of late. Mike D’Antoni’s men defeated the likes of Portland, Utah and Detroit in previous three games in the league and James Harden was the team’s key players in each of those three encounters. “The Beard” has been averaging 28.6 points this season and he has 12.4 assists per game. Everything depends on him in Mike D’Antoni’s team and, no doubt, outcome of Wednesday’s game against Toronto Raptors will depend on his performance. Rockets are eyeing their fourth consecutive win at home, but they will have to be at their sharpest if they are to beat DeMar DeRozan and Co. at Toyota Center. In previous two meetings with Toronto Houston emerged triumphant and that is certainly giving fans a reason for optimism ahead of Wednesday’s showdown.

Montrezl Harrell is sidelined with injury, but he is the only absentee in the home team. It has to be noted, though, that Harrell is likely to return to training next week.

Back-to-back defeats

Toronto Raptors made a flying start to the season, but the team’s recent form is anything but good. Raptors suffered four defeats in previous five games in the league, but it has to be noted that they faced a tough fixture list (Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers). Dwane Casey’s troops are desperate to return to winning ways and, no doubt, the Canadian outfit will leave their hearts on the field in Wednesday’s clash against Houston Rockets. DeMar DeRozan has been producing outstanding displays in the 2016/2017 NBA season to date and he has been averaging 30.9 points. Fellow star player Kyle Lowry impressed in the 123-115 loss to Los Angeles Clippers as he scored 27 points, while adding 7 assists. Anyhow, Toronto face a difficult task in the game against Houston as Dwane Casey’s men often struggle on the travels. You should bear in mind that Raptors recorded only one win in last four away matches in NBA.

Coach Dwane Casey can’t count on the likes of Jare Sullinger (foot) and Delon Wright for the Houston Rockets game. De Marre Carroll was rested against Clippers, but he could return for Wednesday’s game against Houston.

Interesting facts

• Raptors conceded 102+ points in each of their last six away games
• Harden scored 32 points for Houston in previous encounter against Toronto
• Kyle Lowry has been averaging 7.2 assists this season
• Rockets scored 111+ points in previous three home matches
• Houston are eyeing their third consecutive win over Toronto

Houston Rockets vs Toronto Raptors betting pick

Both Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors produce much better showings in front of home fans. Considering that James Harden and Co. have been in a splendid form in recent weeks, I believe that home win should be considered in this one. Raptors rely too much on top scorer DeMar DeRozan and seeing that the Canadian team suffered four defeats in last five games, I am tempted to put my money on Mike D’Antoni’s charges.

Pick: Houston Rockets -3.5

Odds: 9/10