The Washington Wizards (1-2) get their home schedule underway at Capital One Arena as 8.5-point underdogs against the Houston Rockets (2-1). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 229.5 points and it is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 30, 2019.
Houston Rockets at Washington Wizards ATS Odds
Although the Wizards were beaten by the San Antonio Spurs in their last game, 124-122, they were able to cover as 11.5-point underdogs. The Rockets, meanwhile, topped the Oklahoma City Thunder, 116-112, but failed to cover as 10-point favorites. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Washington game finished 26.5 points over the projected point total of 219.5, while the Houston game went 1 point over the projected point total of 227.
Houston was successful at getting to and converting from the free throw line. The Rockets made 28 of their 33 free throws (84.8 percent), while the Thunder were 17-24 (70.8 percent). Washington, meanwhile, was lights out from beyond the arc (16-34; 47.1 percent). Washington’s Bradley Beal had a good game, recording 25 points, 11 assists and five rebounds. Houston rallied around James Harden, who had 40 points and seven assists.
This was a highly contested series last year, as the teams split their two games last season. In the last contest, the Rockets won 136-118. Houston had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (22.9 vs. 10.8). Washington, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (10.5 vs. 13.7).
The Rockets are 55-30 straight up (SU) and 50-50-2 against the spread (ATS) since last season. Games involving Houston have had a tendency to go under the projected point total since last season (56.9 percent).
Meanwhile, the Wizards, are 33-52 SU and 41-48-2 ATS since last season. Washington’s games have finished under the O/U total 52.7 percent of the time over that same stretch.
It will be a matchup of conflicting styles as the fast-breaking Wizards will look to push the more half-court-oriented Rockets. Dating back to the 2018-19 season, the Wizards rank eighth in possessions per game while the Rockets are 23rd. Additionally, the second-ranked offense of the Rockets (offensive efficiency of 112.5) will attempt to exploit the 28th-ranked defense of the Wizards (defensive efficiency of 111.8).
Houston Rockets at Washington Wizards Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Wizards, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2018-Present):
- The Wizards rank 14th in fast break points per game (14.1) while the Rockets rank 17th in fast break points allowed per game (13.9).
- Washington ranks fifth in assists per game (26.2) while Houston ranks 28th (21.0).
- The Rockets average 8.5 steals per game, which ranks fourth in the league. The Wizards rank 18th in steals allowed per game (7.6).
- Houston ranks 15th in rebounds allowed per game (45.3) while Washington ranks 28th (47.3).
- Houston ranks 16th in second chance points per game (13.1) while Washington ranks 21st in second chance points allowed per game (14.0).
- The Wizards rank 10th in points in the paint per game (49.9) while the Rockets rank last (42.1).
- The Wizards rank seventh in points off turnovers per game (17.6) while the Rockets rank 19th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.8).
- Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (45.1) while Washington ranks 19th in three pointers allowed per game (32.7).
- Houston is 18-2 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Washington is 11-0.
- The Rockets are 58-24 when they score over 100 points, while the Wizards are 30-45.
