The Houston Rockets continue a three-game homestand with Saturday’s visit from the Charlotte Hornets, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet at Tipico Sportsbook.
The game tips off at 7 p.m. Central and can be viewed or streamed via AT&T SportsNet Southwest and NBA League Pass.
The Hornets (13-8) are the better team on paper, but they will be on the second game of a back-to-back in two different cities. Meanwhile, the Rockets (2-16) haven’t played since Wednesday’s feel-good win over Chicago, which snapped a 15-game losing streak. If tired legs are a factor, perhaps that is the path for Houston to have a chance.
Hornets at Rockets notable injuries:
Charlotte will not issue theirs until midday Saturday, since it’s the second night of a back-to-back sequence of games. For Friday’s game versus Minnesota, the Hornets listed big man Mason Plumlee as questionable due to a right calf strain and he ultimately did not play, but he was successfully replaced by P.J. Washington in a blowout win.
For the Rockets, rookie guard Jalen Green is listed as out and will likely miss at least one week due to a left hamstring strain suffered on Wednesday. That could present more minutes and shot opportunities for other guards and wings like Kevin Porter Jr., Eric Gordon, Danuel House Jr., and perhaps Garrison Mathews and Armoni Brooks off the bench. Other than Green, Houston’s injury report is clean.
The lines, courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook
- Point spread: Hornets -6.5
- Money line: Hornets -260 / Rockets +205
- Over-under: 225.5 points
Click here to place your bets at Tipico Sportsbook.
Advice and prediction
The presence of reigning NBA Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball should be enough to deliver a win, should things be close in the final minutes. But given Houston’s positive vibes at the moment and a weary Charlotte squad, it shouldn’t be a surprise if the Rockets make a strong push and cover a spread number that is currently at three possessions.
Prediction: Hornets 115, Rockets 109
This post originally appeared on Rockets Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
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