Free NBA Pick: Hawks vs. Rockets NBA Odds
Looking for Houston Rockets vs. Atlanta Hawks free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Rockets taking on the Hawks on Wednesday, October 19th, 2022 at State Farm Arena. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Rockets Hawks matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(0-0) Houston Rockets vs. Atlanta Hawks (0-0)
Date: Wednesday, October 19th
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
NBA Moneyline Odds: Rockets +361 | Hawks -478 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Rockets +9.5 / Hawks -9.5
NBA Betting Total: 232.5
The 2022-23 NBA season tips off for the Houston Rockets vs. Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, October 19th. These teams represent opposite ends of the spectrum.
Atlanta got to the Conference Finals in 2021 but stumbled last season which led to a roster revamp with the goal of contending now while the Rockets are in a full-on rebuild featuring some exciting young talent.
The Rockets arrive to opening night following an impressive 3-1 preseason run losing to the Heat but collecting wins versus the Spurs, Raptors and Pacers. Atlanta split their preseason matches defeating the Bucks twice and losing to the Cavaliers and Pelicans.
Last season, the teams split their two games. The Rockets hold the all-time record having bested the Hawks in 81 of their 160 matches
Houston Rockets
The Hawks could provide a template for the Rockets to emulate with how they drafted well and built around Trae Young and continually improved to reach a contending stage.
Houston is a few years away from considering that objective but this young squad is a must-watch on NBA League Pass. Jalen Green enters his sophomore season and has looked like a budding superstar this preseason.
The Rockets also may have lucked out in the most recent draft when the Magic and Thunder elected to select Pablo Banchero and Chet Holmgren ahead of 19-year-old Jabari Smith Jr. who most pundits earmarked to be the top pick.
Arguably, Smith was the best fit for Houston who already has a young backcourt and was looking to add a big who could defend and add scoring punch.
The rookie could end up being the best shooter of the trio and is already impressing head coach Stephen Silas with his defensive prowess.
Like many of the tanking teams, the Rockets can focus entirely on development but will need to keep an eye on not being too successful and risk losing out on the coveted Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.
The focus for Silas and his charges this year should be defense with the Rockets ranking dead last in the association in 2021-22.
Atlanta Hawks
Director of Basketball Operations, Travis Schlenk didn’t waste any time tweaking the roster when the Hawks stumbled after a highly successful 2020-21 season.
Schlenk’s big move was the deal that brought Dejounte Murray to Atlanta while much of the Hawks’ depth was diminished with the exits of Danilo Gallinari, Kevin Huerter, Delon Wright, and Lou Williams.
Meanwhile, the persistent rumors of John Collins being shopped haven’t disappeared.
Murray offers a major uptick on defense and an all-around game but the jury is still out on how he and Trae Young will mesh given both are used to being the primary ball handler.
The question is whether this iteration of the Hawks can rediscover the defensive focus they showcased two seasons ago when they ranked 18th prior to freefalling to 26th last season.
While Murray, Clint Capella and DeAndre Hunter will help the mission to improve defensively Nate McMillan will need Collins and Young to do their part in order to become more than a play-in seed.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Over is 6-1 in the Rockets’ last 7 overall.
- Under is 5-0 in the Hawks’ last 5 overall.
- The Rockets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games.
- The Hawks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.
Free Houston Rockets vs. Atlanta Hawks NBA Prediction:
Although the Rockets are on a mission to tank for Wembanyama something tells me the Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green backcourt will be on a mission to out-perform the Young and Murray back court that’s getting all the hype.
For that reason, I like the Rockets to keep this match closer than the 9.5 spread.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Rockets +9.5
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