Rockets vs Warriors 2020 NBA Game Preview & Betting Odds

Rockets vs Warriors 2020 NBA Game Preview & Betting Odds

Written by on February 20, 2020

The Houston Rockets will be looking to get their post all-star break off to a positive start when they visit the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night, live from the Chase Center. With Houston looking to improve its play in order to challenge for conference supremacy and Golden State playing a bunch of young guys in order to get them prepared for next season, let’s find out which team is offering the best value against their NBA Odds for the Rockets vs Warriors.

Rockets vs Warriors 2020 NBA Game Preview & Betting Odds

Why Bet On Houston

The Rockets won five of their final seven games prior to the all-star break including a convincing 116-105 win at Boston on Feb. 11 as James Harden had a monster game with 42 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while Russell Westbrook added 36 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. After trading talented center Clint Capela, the Rockets are now seriously committed to playing ‘small ball’ with a lineup that features no starter over 6’7”. Houston has gone 5-2 in seven games with their new lineup.

“We made a big change, and we’ve got to get adjusted to that with (former center) Clint (Capela) gone,” Westbrook told reporters. “So, we’re just kind of getting acclimated to that. I think we’ve got it moving in the right direction.”

The Rockets average 118.2 points per game to rank a stellar second in scoring while allowing 114.5 points per game defensively (22nd). Houston has gone 15-12 on the road this season.

Team Stats

Offense
  • Total Score: 118.17
  • Field Goal %: 45.13
  • Three Point %: 34.66
  • Free Throw %: 78.74
  • Total Rebounds: 45.56

Defense

  • Total Score: 114.46
  • Field Goal %: 46.16
  • Three Point %: 34.87
  • Free Throw %: 76.64
  • Total Rebounds: 46.87

Houston Rockets Betting Trends

  • Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
  • Rockets are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 road games.
  • Rockets are 5-16 ATS in their last 21 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
  • Rockets are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as a road favorite.

Why Bet On Golden State

The Warriors dropped four straight and eight of 10 prior to the all-star break including a 112-106 road loss to Phoenix on Feb. 12. Recently acquired small forward Andrew Wiggins scored a team-high 27 points and added five assists while blossoming power forward Marquese Chriss added 18 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in the loss.

“We’re trying to improve for next season, let alone this season,” Chriss told reporters after a 112-106 loss at Phoenix sent the team into the break last week. “We’re just trying to show we can win some games.”

Golden State averages 106.3 points per game (26th) while allowing 114.7 points per contest defensively (24th). The Warriors have gone 7-19 at home this season.

Team Stats

Offense
  • Total Score: 106.31
  • Field Goal %: 43.33
  • Three Point %: 34.14
  • Free Throw %: 81.11
  • Total Rebounds: 42.98

Defense

  • Total Score: 114.75
  • Field Goal %: 47.47
  • Three Point %: 38.3
  • Free Throw %: 78.27
  • Total Rebounds: 47.2

Golden State Warriors Betting Trends

  • Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
  • Warriors are 6-20 ATS in their last 26 Thursday games.

Rockets vs Warriors Expert Analysis and Prediction

I know the warriors are playing at home and that they’re getting 10 points in this matchup, but I don’t see the Dubs having a chance to cover the chalk, because if there’s one thing the Rockets can do, it’s score the ball. The Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points while the Warriors have gone a polar opposite 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following an ATS win. More importantly, Houston has two of the game’s most explosive scorers in Harden and Westbrook and the Warriors just don’t have the kind of firepower necessary to keep pace. Houston wins and covers the chalk NBA roundball bettors!

Pick: Houston 121 Golden State 105