Free NBA Pick: Rockets vs. Pistons NBA Odds
Looking for Houston Rockets vs. Detroit Pistons free NBA picks & NBA Odds? NBA betting sees the Rockets taking on the Pistons on Saturday, December 18th at Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan. 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 Pistons matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(9-20) Houston Rockets vs. Detroit Pistons (4-23)
Date: Saturday, December 18th
Time: 12:00 PM ET
Venue: Little Caesars Arena Detroit, Detroit, Michigan
NBA Moneyline Odds: Rockets +100 | Pistons -120 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Pistons -1.5
NBA Betting Total: 215
Saturday, December 18th it’s a rare matinee event between the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons who meet for the second and final time this season. Detroit won the initial match 112-104 on November 10th.
Both teams last played on Thursday with the Pistons falling 113-122 to the Pacers while the Rockets finished a back-to-back set losing to the Knicks (103-116).
The Pistons hold the all-time record between the clubs with 75 wins in 144 meetings versus the Rockets. Last season, the teams played twice, each winning on the opposing court.
Houston Rockets
The seven-game winning streak is over and since then the Rockets have lost four of their last five games. In fairness, they’ve battled some injury woes with more Rockets joining the walking wounded list.
Also, opponents were taking them for granted as an easy win on the calendar are better prepared with an emphasis on the common adage the coaches preach “any team can win on any night”.
It’s also highly feasible Houston has circled back to double down on their tanking intentions now that the win streak is over. Injuries are playing a factor with Christian Wood, Jalen Green, and Kevin Porter Jr. all out in the last match and potentially in this one.
Wood is the most interesting of those given the Pistons were the team who developed his talents.
In the loss to the Knicks, five Rockets scored in double-figures with Daniel Theis registering a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Jae’Sean Tate (20), Garrison Mathews (17), Kenyon Martin Jr. (15), and Josh Christopher (14) were the other double-digit contributors.
Wood (knee), Porter Jr. (thigh), and Armoni Brooks (ankle) are questionable for Saturday. Danuel House Jr. (ankle) is out indefinitely as is Jalen Green (leg) who has missed 11 consecutive games. John Wall is sidelined with the team seeking to find a trade partner for him.
Detroit Pistons
The losing streak has reached 13 games in a row. Detroit has just four wins on the season with three of those coming in a five-game stretch between November 10th and 17th against the Rockets, Raptors, and Pacers.
With Jerami Grant out it’s led to Cade Cunningham taking over as the primary scorer and playmaker. It hasn’t translated into wins but it’s helping him try to catch Evan Mobley and Scottie Barnes in the rookie of the year race.
In the loss to the Pacers, he produced 19 points, six rebounds, four assists, a steal, and two blocks. Saddiq Bey led the scoring and collected a double-double via 28 points and 10 rebounds plus five assists.
Six Pistons scored in double-figures including Frank Jackson (18), Hamidou Diallo (12), Saben Lee (11), and Trey Lyles (10).
Jerami Grant is out indefinitely with torn ligaments in his thumb. Kelly Olynyk is out for six to eight weeks recovering from a knee injury.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Rockets are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games.
- The Pistons are 0-6 SU in their last 6 games at home.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit’s last 6 games.
Free Houston Rockets vs. Detroit Pistons NBA Prediction
This should be the game the Pistons end the losing streak. Sure both clubs are tanking and the Rockets have been far more competitive but are injury-riddled.
If Wood was confirmed to be playing I might shift that thinking as former players tend to bring revenge games but the Pistons are due to stop the bleeding so they can start a brand new losing streak.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Pistons -1.5
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