Rockets at 76ers, Jan. 15: Prediction, point spread, odds, best bet

In a span of two-plus months dating back to Nov. 6, the surprising Houston Rockets (19-19) have only held a below .500 record after one game. But that would change with a loss Monday in Philadelphia, where the host 76ers (24-13) are again an NBA heavyweight.

The biggest problem for the Rockets continues to be performance away from Houston. They’re 4-13 on the road this season, including a 1-3 stretch over the current season-long road trip of six games.

So, can Alperen Sengun and the Rockets finally reverse that trend? It could be difficult in Philadelphia, where Sengun might be matched up against Joel Embiid. Though the league’s reigning MVP has missed seven of his team’s past nine games with left knee inflammation and a right ankle sprain, he’s questionable to return Monday.

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.

Monday’s game starts at 12:00 p.m. Central and can be seen on the Space City Home Network and NBA TV.

Here’s a look at Monday’s lines:

• Point spread: 76ers -7.5
• Money line: 76ers -275 / Rockets +230
• Over/under: 226.5

Rockets at 76ers injury report:

Advice and prediction

When Philadelphia won in Houston two-plus weeks ago, the Rockets couldn’t contain dynamic guard Tyrese Maxey. However, they were without Dillon Brooks, their best defender, in that game. Now, he’s likely to draw the tougher perimeter assignments.

It’s worth noting that Monday is the first national television appearance of the 2023-24 season for the Rockets, and that Martin Luther King Jr. Day spotlight might provide some extra juice to the team. Between that and Houston’s consistent ability to avoid falling below .500, expect Ime Udoka’s Rockets to play hard.

Even so, a straight-up win is probably a bridge too far, given the talent discrepancy and the game’s location. But we’ll take the Rockets to cover the relatively large spread. Unlike Saturday’s blowout loss to Boston, the Rockets aren’t on night two of a road back-to-back in this one, and they’re likely to want to make amends versus a Philadelphia squad that isn’t as good as the Celtics, on paper.

We also have a hunch that the Sixers might opt to rest Embiid one more game. After all, they have another game looming Tuesday, and immediately playing their star big man on both ends of a back-to-back could be difficult. And if Philadelphia had to choose, Embiid could be more useful in Tuesday’s matchup versus superstar big man Nikola Jokic and the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets.

Prediction: 76ers 115, Rockets 110

Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.