Rockets at Hornets, Jan. 26: Prediction, point spread, odds, best bet
On paper, Houston (20-23) is a better team than Friday night’s opponent, the Charlotte Hornets (10-32). But that hasn’t mattered much for the Rockets in recent games, and especially not on the road.
The Rockets are just 3-8 in their last 11 games, and they’re coming off a heartbreaking home loss in overtime to Portland (13-30) — a team that isn’t much better than Charlotte, if at all.
Making matters worse, the Trail Blazers were on night two of a road back-to-back. This time, the Hornets are at home and rested, and the Rockets are just 4-15 away from Houston this season. There’s also some back-to-back considerations for Ime Udoka to potentially take into account, since Houston also plays on Saturday in Brooklyn.
So, with those headwinds, can the Rockets turn things around?
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.
Friday’s game starts at 6 p.m. Central and can be seen on the Space City Home Network and NBA League Pass.
Here’s a look at Friday’s lines:
- Point spread: Rockets -5.5
- Money line: Rockets -225 / Hornets +180
- Over/under: 222.5
Rockets at Hornets injury report:
Advice and prediction
In their last 11 games, the Rockets are 3-8, and two of those wins came in the final seconds versus the Jazz (22-23) and the lowly Pistons (5-39). It’s not a stretch to say Houston is a few fortunate bounces from being 2-9 or 1-10 over that run. The team’s defense, which ranked as high as No. 2 in the NBA earlier this season, is just No. 17 in January.
Without Tari Eason, who Udoka says is Houston’s best player on a per-minute basis, the Rockets simply haven’t been a good team.
They might still win in Charlotte, and the Rockets should have ample incentive to put a brutal loss behind them. But Houston covering as a road favorite — where they’re just 4-15 this season — feels like a bridge too far. Take the home underdog with the points.
Prediction: Rockets 114, Hornets 111
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
