For the fourth and final time this season, the Houston Rockets will play the San Antonio Spurs. Houston is aiming to take a dominating 3-1 season series win over the Spurs, although with Houston having a loaded injury report, the Spurs could tie it all up.
The Rockets are coming off a convincing win over the Sacramento Kings, although they lost their best player, Alperen Sengun, in the process. The Spurs have been playing better than normal as of late, splitting their last two games with the Golden State Warriors, but they are last in the Western Conference for a reason.
The Spurs will be without Cedi Osman and Charles Bassey, and Houston won't play Cam Whitmore, Sengun, Tari Eason, or Steven Adams. Keep it posted here for our three best bets, powered by the lines at SI Sportsbook.
The Lines
Point spread: Spurs +4.5 (-118)/Rockets -4.5 (-110)
Money line: Spurs (+140)/Rockets (-175)
Over/under: 221.5
Our Picks
Safe Pick: Jalen Green OVER 23.5 points (-120)
Despite concerns that Jalen Green is an inefficient volume scorer, he has been on a tear as of late, averaging 23.6 points on a relatively decent 48.5 percent shooting from the floor. He lit up the Spurs for 23 in his last matchup, which was lost amid the discussions surrounding Alperen Sengun's career night. With no Sengun, the offense will run through Green.
Team pick: Spurs +4.5 (-118)
The Spurs have been very good at home recently and will look to pound the paint with Sengun being out. Expect a big night from Victor Wembanyama and a solid shooting outing from Devin Vassell, which should be enough to keep the Spurs close all evening. They might even beat Houston if you want a riskier bet.
Passing pick: Fred VanVleet OVER 7.5 assists (-150)
Fred VanVleet has been one of the best facilitators in the league, and with Sengun out, the Rockets will be looking to create offense through passing instead of self-creation. VanVleet averages 9.6 dimes over his last five games, so expect him to be looking for the open man.
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