NBA Odds: Rockets (even)
The Cleveland Cavaliers (37-23) and their fifth-ranked offense visit Houston (40-18) to take on the Rockets and their fifth-ranked defense. Action begins at 3:30 pm ET on Sunday, Mar. 1 and can be seen on ABC.
The Rockets played well in their last game, topping the Nets 102-98 on Friday. Terrence Jones was a key piece, recording his fourth double-double of the season with 26 points and 12 rebounds. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after the 93-86 loss against the Pacers on Friday. Cleveland still lost despite the best efforts of Kevin Love, who recorded his 30th double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Over the last five games, Jones has taken his game to another level for the Rockets, averaging 15.0 points, 10.6 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 3.0 blocks.
It will be a showdown of conflicting tempos, as the up-and-down Rockets (ranked fourth in the NBA in possessions per game) will look to push the slow-paced Cavaliers (26th in possessions per game). Also, the Cavaliers’s fifth-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 107.4) will face off against the fifth-ranked defense of the Rockets (defensive efficiency of 99.8).
This is the second game of the year between these two teams, with the Rockets winning the first matchup 105-93. In the loss, Kyrie Irving led all scorers with 38 points.
The odds for Houston and Cleveland are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Rockets have gone 39-18-1 Straight Up (SU) and 33-24 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 16-5-1 SU and 12-9 ATS against the Eastern Conference. The Rockets lead the NBA in three-point field goals, making 681 from beyond the arc (11.7 per game). Crossing over to the defensive side of the court, the Rockets prevent teams from making three-pointers on the defensive end, ranking first in the league with a .315 opponent field-goal percentage from three-point range. Houston is one of the league’s top scoring teams off turnovers with an average of 19.0 points per game.
Over on the other bench, the Cavaliers have a record of 30-29 ATS and 37-22-1 SU. Cleveland performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 7-2 record. The Cavaliers get to the line and convert their free throws at a high volume, ranking fifth in the league with 1,094 made (18.2 per game). The Cavaliers average 98.7 points allowed per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 87.2 points per game during that span. One advantage for the Cavaliers could be Houston’s high fouls per game average of 22.7.
In their previous meeting this season, Houston beat Cleveland, bumping its SU record to 8-2 over the Cavaliers in their last 10 meetings. The Rockets also lead the matchup ATS with a record of 6-4. Houston held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers three times, while Cleveland was never able to do so in their most recent 10 games.
Predictions: SU Winner – HOU, ATS Winner – HOU
Notes
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston’s last 6 games.
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games.
Houston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home.
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland.
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Houston’s last 21 games when playing Cleveland.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston’s last 7 games when playing at home against Cleveland.
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Houston.
Houston ranks sixth in points per game with 103.3, while Cleveland ranks 12th in points allowed with an average of 98.7 given up.
Houston ranks 18th in points per home game with 101.2 points, while Cleveland ranks 13th in points allowed on the road with 99.9.
When allowing fewer than 100 points, the Rockets are 28-3 on the season. When the Cavaliers score fewer than 100, they are a poor 7-19.
Houston is 12-15 when allowing 100 or more points this season. The Cavaliers have an exceptional 30-4 record when they hit the century mark.
The Cavaliers have a defensive rating of 103.5 (ranked 19th). The Rockets rank 12th for their offensive rating of 103.4.
The Houston Rockets average 99.9 possessions per game and 1.034 points per possession, while the Cleveland Cavaliers earn fewer possessions (95.3) but more points per possession (1.074).
Houston is among the top-ranked teams based on its average effective field goal percentage of 50.8% (ranked seventh in the NBA). Cleveland is an underachieving 9-17 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, the Houston Rockets attempt 33.8 three point field goals per game and the Cleveland Cavaliers attempt 26.1 per game. In games where they attempt at least 25 threes, Houston has a winning 40-17 record, while Cleveland is 20-16.
The Houston Rockets rank 28th with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.35. The Cleveland Cavaliers have a higher A/TO (1.63), ranking 15th.
The Rockets rank 13th in rebounds per game with 43.8, while the Cavaliers rank 19th with 43.0 per game.
Houston is ranked 23rd in defensive rebounds, while Cleveland ranks 11th in offensive rebounds.
Houston is among the best in forcing turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 15.9% (ranked third). Cleveland has a 10-11 record SU when its TOV% reaches 15.9% or greater.
