Recent Play Details

3% Take Houston (#515)

Here’s the quote from Lakers coach Darvin Ham after the Rockets blew out the Lakers in Houston earlier this month.  “They’re going to be a handful to deal with this year…..not just for us, but the other 28 teams besides us.”  Here’s new head coach Ime Udoka’s quote: “We’re taking the right steps.  We’re confident in what we’re doing and it’s gelling quicker than probably some thought.”   Those are two solid ‘bet-on’’ quotes, and that’s exactly my approach to Houston right now – ‘bet-on’ all the way.

My clients and I have cashed four winners backing the Rockets in their last four games.  They came from behind to notch a hard fought win against New Orleans.  They notched a tough, muscle up win against the defending champion Nuggets. And they came up just short in LA against the Clippers and Lakers, losing both games in the final seconds (and in pointspread covering fashion).  At 8-0 ATS in their last eight games, Houston remains an undervalued commodity here, even on the second of back-2-backs.

Golden State has precious little homecourt edge these days: 1-6 SU/0-6-1 ATS on this floor, the lone win coming by a single point in non-spread covering fashion (as 7 point favorites). Since the calendar turned to November, Golden State has a grand total of ONE win by more than two points – against bottom feeder Detroit.  Playing without Draymond Green, Golden State looks more like a lottery team than a championship contender.  Expect a battle, not a blowout.  Take the Rockets.

Line Parameter: 3% at +6 or higher, 2% at +5.5 or lower