Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs Betting Prediction

Daniel GimenezBasketball, NBA

Don’t expect a fast-paced game when the Houston Rockets (9-11) visit San Antonio to take on the Spurs (10-11). The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, November 30, 2018, and will air on ESPN.

Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs Betting Odds

Both teams got blown out in their last matchup. The Rockets (5.5-point favorites) were defeated by the Dallas Mavericks, 128-108, while the Spurs (5-point underdogs) fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 128-89. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Houston game finished 18.5 points over the projected point total of 217.5, while the San Antonio game went 1.5 points over the projected point total of 215.5.

Houston had an offensive rebounding percentage of 35.7 (above their season average of 24.8) while San Antonio did an excellent job of making free throws (13-13; 100.0 percent). Jakob Poeltl played well for San Antonio with 14 points and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, Houston was lifted by James Harden, who registered his zeroth triple-double this year. He dominated, accumulating 25 points, 17 assists and 11 rebounds.

In their first matchup this year, LaMarcus Aldridge led the Spurs to a 96-89 win. He recorded a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds. The two teams combined for 185 points, which was well under the projected point total of 213, and San Antonio covered as a 3.5-point underdog. San Antonio had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.514 vs. 0.383). Houston, on the other hand, had a much better turnover percentage (7.2 vs. 14.9).

Games featuring the Rockets have a tendency to finish over the O/U total (60.0 percent). Houston comes into the game with records of 9-11 straight up (SU) and 7-13 against the spread (ATS).

Games including the Spurs also have a tendency to go over the total (57.1 percent). Further, San Antonio owns records of 10-11 SU and 10-11 ATS.

Harden and Clint Capela have played at a high level over the last five games for Houston. Harden has averaged 41 points,10.2 assists,2.2 steals per game, while Capela has put up 22 points,15.2 rebounds,3.8 blocks a game during that span.

Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the league’s slowest-paced teams battle. San Antonio ranks 26th in possessions per game (100.8) and Houston is 28th (99.1).

Rockets at Spurs Free Pick

Pick: SU Winner – Spurs, ATS Winner – Spurs, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

  • The Spurs rank 14 in second chance points per game (13.714285714285714) while the Rockets rank 21 in second chance points allowed per game (13.95).
  • Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (42.0) while San Antonio ranks 29th (24.7).
  • The Rockets rank fourth in fast break points allowed per game (10.7) while the Spurs rank 20th (14.1).
  • Houston ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (21.6) while San Antonio ranks 20th (24.7).
  • Houston ranks 16 in points off turnovers per game (16.95) while San Antonio ranks 27 (14.285714285714286).
  • The Rockets rank seventh in blocks per game (6.0) while the Spurs rank 25th (4.1).
  • The Spurs rank 15 in rebounds per game (45.04761904761905) while the Rockets rank 27 (40.7).
  • Houston ranks 25 in points in the paint per game (44.1) while San Antonio ranks 27 (42.19047619047619).
  • Houston ranks 11th in steals per game (8.2) while San Antonio ranks 28th (6.0).
  • When holding opponents below 100 points, Houston is 4-2 and San Antonio is 4-1.
  • The Spurs are 9-6 when they score over 100 points, while the Rockets are 7-7.
  • Houston is 4-7 ATS on the road, while San Antonio is 5-4 ATS at home.
  • In 11 road games, the Rockets have 6 overs and 5 unders.
  • The Spurs have 5 overs and 4 unders in 9 home games.

Bettings Trends:

  • The Spurs are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Rockets are 0-5.
  • In their last five games, San Antonio has 4 overs and 1 under, while Houston has 5 overs.
  • The Spurs\u2019 average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.8, up from 2.3 for the season.
  • During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 116.8 points per game (8.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 124.0 points per game (13.8 above their season average).