Fresh off a monster performance, Alperen Sengun and the Houston Rockets travel to the nation’s capital to face the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on Sunday, Nov. 15.
Houston has been a far better team on both ends of the court this season, and my Rockets vs. Wizards prediction expects it to cover the spread as the moderate road favorite thanks to another big night from Sengun.
My NBA picks are taking the Over on Sengun’s scoring and rebounding lines and also targeting props for two third-year sharpshooters.
TOP PICK
Rockets vs Wizards prediction: Rockets -7.5
Trade to -9.5.
The Washington Wizards are among the worst teams in the Association on both ends of the court. They rank 26th in offensive rating (108.7), 19th in defensive rating (114.3), and 23rd in net rating (-5.6).
Conversely, the Houston Rockets are among the best, ranked third (119.3), eighth (110.2), and fourth (9.1) in those same categories, respectively. This creates enough of a mismatch that the 8.5-point spread isn't too lofty for the visitors to cover.
Houston’s biggest strength is also Washington’s biggest defensive liability: interior scoring and rebounding. The Rockets’ offense runs through big man Alperen Sengun, and he should have his way in this matchup.
The Wizards’ defense has given up 20/12 to Ivica Zubac, 28/20 and 23/17 to John Collins and Paul Reed, and 14/16 to Onyeka Okongwu, putting Sengun and the Rockets in a great spot to dominate.
Sengun can slow down leading scorer Anthony Davis, and Amen Thompson can limit Trae Young with hounding perimeter pressure, taking away his playmaking and scoring.
COVERS INTEL: Sengun ranks second in offensive rating (120.3) among centers averaging at least 30 minutes per game. Houston is 6-0 when he scores 20+ and 5-1 when he grabs 10+ rebounds.
Rockets vs Wizards combo
Washington’s starting frontcourt of Davis and Alex Sarr haven’t been great defensively. The Wizards rank 26th in defensive rebound percentage (66.2%), and they’ve surrendered the fifth-most points in the paint at 51.4.
Sengun compiled a 43/12 line on Friday, and he's averaged 27.3 points and 12 boards over his last three, posting at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in two of them. The big man is enjoying the best season of his career, and he’s on a heater. I’ll pick him to rack up another 20/10 game in this favorable spot.
Rockets vs Wizards combo
- Rockets -7.5
- Alperen Sengun Over 19.5 points
- Alperen Sengun Over 9.5 rebounds
Rockets vs Wizards player props
Rockets player prop: Reed Sheppard Over 14.5 points
Trade to 15.5.
Marcus Smart is serving a suspension, and Fred VanVleet is out for rest, which means Reed Sheppard should get a spot start tonight. In his only game played with both Smart and FVV sidelined, Sheppard started and logged 19 points in 30 minutes.
The third-year man is averaging only 20 minutes per game, but he’s scoring 16.4 points per 36 minutes. Facing a soft Washington defense and potentially pushing for 30+ minutes once again, Sheppard should clear this line for the second time this season.
Wizards player prop: Kyshawn George Over 1.5 made threes
Trade to 2.5.
Kyshawn George has started every one of Washington's games this season, averaging career highs in minutes (33.1), triples (2.5) and 3-point percentage (42.1). He's canned 2+ triples in nine of 13 appearances and could get some open looks with strong perimeter defenders Smart and VanVleet out.
George has been on a heater, averaging 4.3 triples on 56.7% shooting in 37.5 minutes over his last four outings, and hitting 2+ in all of them.
- Top picks: 6-13, -7 units
- Combos: 0-19, -19 units
- Props: 13-23, -10.42 units
Rockets vs Wizards odds
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
- Spread: Rockets -8.5 (50%) | Wizards +8.5 (51%)
- Over/Under: Over 223.5 (51%) | Under 223.5 (50%)
- Moneyline: Rockets 76% | Wizards 25%
For the full slate of NBA matchups, check out our NBA odds board!
Rockets vs Wizards trend
Houston has covered the spread in four of its last five games at Washington. Find more NBA betting trends.
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How to watch Rockets vs Wizards
| Location | Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C. |
| Date | Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026 |
| Tip off | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | SCHN, MNMT |
Rockets vs Wizards latest injuries
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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