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, April 8th, 2022 at Scotiabank 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.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(20-60) Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors (47-33)
Date: Friday, April 8th
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: Bankers Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
NBA Moneyline Odds: Rockets +950 | Raptors -1176 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Raptors 14.5
NBA Betting Total: 228.5
Friday, April 8th the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors meet for the second and final time this season. Toronto won the initial meeting between the teams 139-120 on February 10th.
Houston last played Tuesday losing 105-118 to the Nets while the Raptors overcame an early 15 point deficit to beat the 76ers 119-114 on the front side of this back-to-back.
Houston Rockets
Jalen Green may have started the season a bit slower than some of the top draft picks but he’s been on an absolute tear of late, so much so that some media voters might place him on their All-Rookie first team.
In the last five games, he’s scored 30 or more points averaging 31.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists shooting 42.6 percent from the perimeter on 12.2 attempts.
The Rockets have lost five games in a row but have three wins in their last nine matches. Granted, those victories came against other equally tank-minded clubs (Blazers twice and Wizards).
Eric Gordon (groin), Christian Wood (hamstring), and Dennis Schroder (shoulder) are all out indefinitely. John Wall (personal) is a healthy season scratch.
Toronto Raptors
In the preseason the oddsmakers had the Raptors over/under at 36.5 games. On Thursday, they collected their 47th win with two games (Rockets @Knicks) remaining.
Philly had Joel Embiid and James Harden on the floor but Matisse Thybulle was conspicuously absent due to “ineligibility” meaning he must not be vaccinated which could be problematic if the teams meet in the postseason.
The Raptors weren’t playing with their full complement either as Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby were out. Toronto’s magic number to clinch the fifth seed is one with Chicago having the harder opponents (Hornets, Wolves).
Pascal Siakam continues to offer solid fodder to add him to an All-NBA slot notching his second triple-double in the last five games (37 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists).
On the season his averages of 22.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 steals are matched by only Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic.
The Raptors’ development prowess was also on display in the win versus Philly with Gary Trent Jr and Precious Achiuwa scoring 30 and 20 points respectively and each making five 3-points while Scottie Barnes produced a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Technically, Toronto could finish fourth but with Philly needing to lose to both the Pacers and Pistons they’re more likely to nab the fifth seed. However, the Raptors’ opponent is far less certain.
Boston sits third with one game (@Grizzlies) left, Milwaukee second (@Pistons, @Cavs), and Philly fourth (Pacers, Pistons) each with two games remaining.
An extremely complicated tie-break situation exists that may require five levels to decide where the trio finishes. Based on their division and conference wins plus how they’ve fared versus East playoff seeds betting money is on them finishing where they reside now.
Fred VanVleet (knee) is questionable while OG Anunoby (thigh) and Yuta Watanabe (quad) are out Friday.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Houston is 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games.
- Toronto is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of Toronto’s last 12 games against Houston.
Free Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors NBA Prediction:
Following the All-Star break, the best teams aim to build steadily and hope to be hitting their peak as the playoffs start. Toronto got that memo and is one of the hottest clubs right now.
Since the All-Star break, the Raptors possess the fifth-best record and fourth-ranked defense. Narrow it down to the last 15 games and the Raptors have the best record in the NBA (12-3), as well as the third-best defense and net rating.
Perhaps a surprising stat is of the 10 playoff and play-in teams in the Eastern conference the Raptors have the best record (10-5) against the four top seeds.
Toronto is 10-6 in second games of back-to-backs but has occasionally fallen for trap games (Pistons, Magic). Yet, with so much at stake, it’s unlikely the Raptors take anything for granted.
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