The Houston Rockets take on the Indiana Pacers tonight at the Toyota Center. The Rockets are looking to stretch their winning streak to three, and Indiana is trying to avoid a three-game losing streak. The Rockets are kicking off a seven-game homestand, which bodes well for them considering they have lost only two games at home this season.
Houston will once again be without Victor Oladipo, and Tari Eason is questionable. Bruce Brown is questionable for the Pacers. After missing 19 games due to injury this season, rookie Amen Thompson is back in the lineup and is trying to find his footing in the NBA.
Before tipoff, check out the lines from SI Sportsbook, and our best bets.
The Lines
Point spread: Pacers +3.5 (-118)/Rockets -3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Pacers (+125)/Rockets (-158)
Over/under: 238.5
Our Picks
Safe pick: Alperen Sengun OVER 21.5 points (-133)
In his last outing, Alperen Sengun scored 37 points against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans have a much better interior defense than the Pacers, so it should be a cakewalk for the 21-year-old against Indiana. This season, he is averaging 20.4 points, but Indiana allows the second most points in the league, so he should be able to easily surpass his season average.
Opponent pick: Tyrese Haliburton UNDER 39.5 combined points, assists, rebounds (-118)
Houston has the second-best defense in the NBA, and Haliburton will struggle to generate points of his own. On top of that, Dillon Brooks, Thompson, and Jae’Sean Tate can close out the perimeter, which means fewer assists from three for Haliburton. Rebounds aren’t really a factor, since Haliburton only averages 3.9 per contest. However, this season his average combined points, rebounds, and assists stands at 40.6, so Houston will need to hold him to a subpar night for this bet to hit.
Team pick: 3.5 (-110)
Houston has been dominant at home this season, and on multiple days of rest with no travel, they should be refreshed after the holiday. With momentum, the thrill of a homestand, and an opponent who will simply need to outplay Houston on both ends to stand a chance, the Rockets should easily be able to cover the spread.
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