The Nets have been on fire as of late, as the team has won and covered in nine of its last 10. It’ll be interesting to see whether or not the Rockets are up to challenge in this matchup, as Houston comes into this contest on a 12-game losing streak.
Oh, there's also that whole other thing of James Harden making his return to Houston after forcing his way out of town—which resulted in his blockbuster trade to Brooklyn.
Will Harden and the Nets keep rolling, as 9.5-point NBA betting favorites, against one of the saddest teams in basketball? Keep reading our Nets vs. Rockets picks and predictions to find out.
The one thing the Rockets have going for them is that this game will be played at the Toyota Center in Houston, with tip-off at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Brooklyn Nets at Houston Rockets betting preview
Injuries
Nets: Kevin Durant F (Out), Jeff Green F (Questionable), Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot G (Questionable), Spencer Dinwiddie G (Out).
Rockets: Christian Wood C (Out), Eric Gordon G (Questionable), Danuel House Jr. F (Questionable), Rodions Kurucs F (Questionable).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Nets are 6-0 ATS in their last six road games. Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Rockets.
NBA sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonThe Nets opened -6.5 late Tuesday night at DraftKings, and this line rocketed to -10 this morning before dipping a notch to -9.5. As of noon ET, Brooklyn is seeing 90 percent of point-spread bets and 95 percent of point-spread money. The total opened at 226.5, peaked at 229.5, then fell back to 228.5, with ticket count and money running about 2/1 on the Over.
Check out the full line movement for this gameAgainst the spread (ATS) pick
The Nets have not only won nine of their last 10 games, but they have won six of those contests by double digits. Brooklyn is coming off a big overtime win over a good San Antonio team, and Steve Nash’s team will now look to head into the All-Star break on a positive note. Fortunately for Nash, his squad is facing a Rockets team that just might be the worst club in the entire NBA at the moment.
Houston does have an excuse for coming into this one on a 12-game losing streak: the absence of Christian Wood. In the midst of a breakout season, Wood is one of the best two-way players in the game these days, but he has been sidelined since early February with an ankle injury. Houston also lost his backup as DeMarcus Cousins is now a free agent. With the Rockets devoid of any size, they will be unable to exploit Brooklyn’s only weakness.
Even with Kevin Durant sidelined, the Nets have the firepower to score with any team in the league. That’s what happens when you still have a backcourt that consists of the aforementioned Harden – who has taken his game to another level – and Kyrie Irving. Those two also happen to be dishing to one of the best shooters in the league, as Joe Harris is shooting 50 percent from three this year. Against one of the worst defenses in basketball, look for Brooklyn to have no trouble scoring.
The only issue for the Nets here would be that Irving and Harden might be checked out heading into the All-Star Game. But with this being an emotional game for Harden, look for him and Brooklyn to come out and make a statement.
PREDICTION: Nets -9.5 (-110)
Over/Under pick
The Nets are no longer the joke they were defensively when Harden first arrived in Brooklyn, but it’s still a stretch to stay this is a good defensive team.
Until Brooklyn acquires a center that can protect the rim and stop opposing guards from living in the paint, the Over is going to be an enticing play in all of the Nets' games. That doesn’t change against a Houston team that has guys that can get up and down the floor.
PREDICTION: Over 228.5 (-110)
Player prop pick
Harden is coming off a 15-assist performance against the Spurs on Monday, and he has 11 games with at least 12 dimes since being acquired by the Nets.
Now, Harden will be facing his former team, and it just so happens to be a Rockets group that is just 25th in the NBA in defensive rating over the last 10 games. This Houston team is really in a bad way on both ends of the floor right now, and it just wouldn’t be shocking if Harden completely picks his former franchise apart.
PREDICTION: James Harden Over 11.5 Assists (-112)
Nets vs Rockets betting card
- Nets -9.5 (-110)
- Over 228.5 (-110)
- James Harden Over 11.5 Assists (-112)
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