Nets at Rockets, Jan. 3: Prediction, point spread, odds, best bet
It’s hard to pinpoint the reason, but Eastern Conference teams have been a problem for the Rockets in the 2023-24 season. Houston enters Wednesday at 14-9 (.609) against Western Conference teams, but only 2-6 (.250) versus NBA teams from the East.
The good news for the Rockets (16-15) is that one of those East wins came in Monday’s blowout of Detroit, and they will soon have another opportunity as a home favorite when they face the struggling Brooklyn Nets (15-19) on Wednesday at Toyota Center.
If you’d like last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We have the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number, as well as all the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet.
Wednesday’s game starts at 7 p.m. Central and can be seen on the Space City Home Network and NBA League Pass.
Here’s a look at Wednesday’s lines:
- Point spread: Rockets -5.5
- Money line: Rockets -225 / Nets +180
- Over/under: 221.5
Nets at Rockets injury/status report:
Houston’s injury report lists Victor Oladipo (left patellar tendon repair) and Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) as out, while Tari Eason (left lower leg soreness) is questionable. Eason has played through that designation in recent games, though he has been limited to about 25-to-27 minutes per game, head coach Ime Udoka says. Nate Hinton, Jermaine Samuels Jr. and Nate Williams are in the NBA G League.
Brooklyn will not issue its official report until a few hours before tipoff, since it will be on the second night of a back-to-back. On Tuesday, the Nets were without Ben Simmons (left lower back nerve impingement) and Lonnie Walker IV (left hamstring strain). Dariq Whitehead, Noah Clowney and Keon Johnson are in the G League.
Advice and prediction
The Nets have lost 10 of their last 12 games, overall, and are on the second night of a road back-to-back after a blowout loss at New Orleans on Tuesday. If Houston needs any extra incentive, a victory over Brooklyn would boost its 2024 NBA draft outlook.
The Rockets own Brooklyn’s first-round draft pick this year as part of the blockbuster James Harden trade from January 2021, and the Nets are perilously close to falling out of the top 10 in the East standings. Should they finish outside the top 10, Houston would receive a lottery pick (top 14) in this year’s draft.
Houston should take this game seriously; the Rockets would love to build some cushion from .500 before this weekend’s tough back-to-back versus the Timberwolves and Bucks. On the other side, the Nets are weary and reeling. It’s a good formula for the home team.
Prediction: Rockets 114, Nets 107
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
