Rockets at Raptors, Feb. 9: Prediction, point spread, odds, best bet
With no changes to the current team in the transaction window before the NBA’s 2023-24 in-season trade deadline, the Houston Rockets (23-27) will try to salvage their Western Conference play-in tournament push from within entering the season’s final 32 games.
As injuries have piled up for key rotation players, Ime Udoka’s Rockets are just 8-15 since Christmas and have fallen to No. 12 in the West standings. That placement is 1.5 games behind Utah (26-27) for the No. 10 spot, which represents the final play-in berth.
But some potentially good news comes in the form of Friday’s opponent, since Houston routed Toronto one week earlier. Now, in the return visit to Canada, the Rockets can sweep the season series.
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 6:30 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: Raptors -1.5
- Money line: Raptors -125 / Rockets +105
- Over/Under: 233.5
Rockets at Raptors injury report:
Advice and prediction
The Rockets put up 135 points against the Raptors last Friday, and they often play at a faster pace with Amen Thompson in place of VanVleet at point guard. On Tuesday, when Thompson took the reins due to VanVleet’s injury, Houston scored 129 in a close loss at Indiana.
The over could be a smart bet here, especially because Udoka and the Rockets may have to be mindful of minutes and energy on night one of a road back-to-back (Houston plays Saturday in Atlanta). Picking the Rockets straight up is tempting, as well, given the dominant head-to-head result from a week earlier — but the over is safest.
Prediction: Rockets 119, Raptors 116
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
