PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* NBA Total MASSACRE >> 17-9-1 NBA Run!
(NBA) Houston vs. Charlotte,
Total: 224.50 | -105.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 224.50 | -105.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 38-17 Houston Rockets are hoping a 2-1 start in February has put a poor January behind them as they visit Charlotte to take on the 24-28 Hornets, who just snapped a seven-game slide with Tuesday's 111-107 win over the hapless Nets.
Houston: The Rockets won 20 of 22 games from Dec. 1 through Jan. 10 but then went just 5-7 the last three weeks of last month. Residing in the West with the Warriors and Spurs doesn't leave much room for error and despite owning the NBA's third-best record, the Rockets own just the third-best record in the West as well, 71/2 games back of Golden State and four games back of San Antonio. Houston's resume includes victories over Golden State and San Antonio but the Rockets' 128-104 win over the Magic, represented the first of a six-game stretch in which all opponents are sub-.500. Harden's outstanding season (28.9an-8.2-11.4) somewhat overshadows what has developed into a solid group of players surrounding him. He had his 43rd double-double of the year against Orlando (25 points / 13 assists) but he's also getting plenty of help. Beverley (9.3-5.8-4.5) starts with Harden in the backcourt (most believe Beverley is the team's second-most importt player), while forwards Anderson (13.7 & 5.1) and Ariza (11.9 & 5.5) surround center Capela (12.1 & 7.7) up front. Gordon (17.3) is now the sixth-man and he's a consistent scorer in the backcourt! Only Golden State averages more than Houston's 114.3 PPG but the Rockets have to find a way to improve their defense, which allows 108.2 PPG (24th).
Charlotte: The Hornets shot just 39.2 percent from the floor in Tuesday's win over the Nets but after breaking a seven-game slide, they are still right in the race for the East's final playoff spot, just a half-game back of the Pistons. All Star Kemba Walker (22.7 & 5.5 APG) was just 4 of 20 from the floor against the Nets but the good news was that seven Charlotte players scored in double figures. This team is way more talented than its record indicates (remember, the Hornets opened 8-3) plus center Cody Zeller (quad) has sat out the last seven games but will be evaluated on Wednesday and could return on Thursday. Zeller's availability is no small deal, as despite his somewhat modest contributions (10.9 & 6.6), the Hornets are 2-12 in the 14 games he's missed this season. That means they are 22-16 when he plays!
The pick: Wouldn't want to buck the Rockets in this one but I'd rather just play the over and as noted above, Houston scores better than any team not named Golden State and has trouble defending. The Rockets won 121-114 at home when these teams met back on Jan. 10. and it's deja vu all over again, here. The Over is a 10* play.
Houston: The Rockets won 20 of 22 games from Dec. 1 through Jan. 10 but then went just 5-7 the last three weeks of last month. Residing in the West with the Warriors and Spurs doesn't leave much room for error and despite owning the NBA's third-best record, the Rockets own just the third-best record in the West as well, 71/2 games back of Golden State and four games back of San Antonio. Houston's resume includes victories over Golden State and San Antonio but the Rockets' 128-104 win over the Magic, represented the first of a six-game stretch in which all opponents are sub-.500. Harden's outstanding season (28.9an-8.2-11.4) somewhat overshadows what has developed into a solid group of players surrounding him. He had his 43rd double-double of the year against Orlando (25 points / 13 assists) but he's also getting plenty of help. Beverley (9.3-5.8-4.5) starts with Harden in the backcourt (most believe Beverley is the team's second-most importt player), while forwards Anderson (13.7 & 5.1) and Ariza (11.9 & 5.5) surround center Capela (12.1 & 7.7) up front. Gordon (17.3) is now the sixth-man and he's a consistent scorer in the backcourt! Only Golden State averages more than Houston's 114.3 PPG but the Rockets have to find a way to improve their defense, which allows 108.2 PPG (24th).
Charlotte: The Hornets shot just 39.2 percent from the floor in Tuesday's win over the Nets but after breaking a seven-game slide, they are still right in the race for the East's final playoff spot, just a half-game back of the Pistons. All Star Kemba Walker (22.7 & 5.5 APG) was just 4 of 20 from the floor against the Nets but the good news was that seven Charlotte players scored in double figures. This team is way more talented than its record indicates (remember, the Hornets opened 8-3) plus center Cody Zeller (quad) has sat out the last seven games but will be evaluated on Wednesday and could return on Thursday. Zeller's availability is no small deal, as despite his somewhat modest contributions (10.9 & 6.6), the Hornets are 2-12 in the 14 games he's missed this season. That means they are 22-16 when he plays!
The pick: Wouldn't want to buck the Rockets in this one but I'd rather just play the over and as noted above, Houston scores better than any team not named Golden State and has trouble defending. The Rockets won 121-114 at home when these teams met back on Jan. 10. and it's deja vu all over again, here. The Over is a 10* play.
