Free NBA Pick: Rockets vs. Raptors NBA Odds
Looking for Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Rockets taking on the Raptors on Friday, February 26th, 2021, at Amalie 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 Raptors matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(11-19) Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors (16-17)
Date: Friday, February 26th
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: Amalie Arena, Tampa Bay, Florida
NBA Moneyline Odds: Rockets +251 | Raptors -285
NBA Betting Odds: Raptors -7
NBA Betting Total: 221
On Friday, February 26th, the Houston Rockets meet the Toronto Raptors for the first time this season.
Last season, the squads played a single time due to the pandemic and season suspension with Houston winning that match. The Rockets hold the all-time record having won 28 matches of the 48 played.
Houston Rockets
After a brief win streak following the James Harden trade, the Rockets have fallen back to earth.
In fairness, Houston was hampered by the injury bug, COVID-19 health and safety protocols, and a severe winter storm.
The postponements will mean the Rockets will endure a horrific second-half schedule. Dealing with all this adversity has also resulted in the Rockets’ current nine-game losing streak.
In those nine games, opponents are averaging 118.1 points while the Rockets have struggled offensively averaging 102.4 points.
With Christian Wood missing so many games and the team seemingly headed for the lottery the Rockets and DeMarcus Cousins mutually agreed to part ways as the big man seeks to join a championship contender.
And with the trade deadline less than a month away it’s likely PJ Tucker and possibly others like Eric Gordon will be on the trade block.
Victor Oladipo is the biggest name who the Rockets could move but an impending contract offseason makes trading him difficult without an assurance he’ll re-sign.
In his comeback season, John Wall is posting 20.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. He won’t be among the Rockets trade options given he’ll earn $41.2M, $44.3M, and $47.3M (player option) through 2023.
Wood (ankle) has missed nine games and is listed as day-to-day. Dante Exum (calf) is out indefinitely.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors just completed their second set of five games in seven days. Although they battled the Heat, the load the core carried during the five games resulted in tired legs.
Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam in particular have carried a big load ranking second and eighth in minutes played this season.
Siakam played over 40 minutes in the two matches versus the 76ers often guarding the much bigger Joel Embiid.
That clearly took a toll so Nick Nurse elected to rest Siakam in the fourth quarter.
Kyle Lowry returned and was the most energetic player on the court registering 24 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and connected on four 3-pointers.
With no Raptors in the All-Star Game, they’ll try to close out the half with winnable games versus the Rockets, Bulls, Pistons and suddenly reeling Celtics.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Rockets are 6-4 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
- The Rockets are 6-4 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 6-4 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
Free Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors NBA Prediction:
The rumor mill was floating Lowry trades but the Raptors are more likely to be buyers than traders at the deadline. The clear need is a defensive rebounding center and ideally, one who can space the floor.
Tucker had two prior runs with Toronto, but Houston is said to want a first-round pick making that option less likely.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Rockets +7
Despite the fatigue, Toronto has figured things out. The question is whether Wood plays as that changes the dynamics. I’ll hedge my bet giving the Rockets the points with the assumption Wood returns, but give Raptors the win.
NBA Free Prediction: Raptors 113 – Rockets 107 (Bet Now!)
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