The Houston Rockets (9-8) travel to Cleveland to play the Cavaliers (3-14) in a game that will likely be low scoring. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 24, 2018, and will air on Fox Sports – Ohio.
Houston is an 11-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 213 points.
Houston Rockets at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Prediction
In the Rockets’ last game, they were beaten by the Detroit Pistons, 116-111, but they were able to cover as 8.5-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (227) were over the O/U total of 214.5. One of Detroit’s largest advantages was getting to the free throw line. They made 40 trips to the line, while Houston went just 21 times. Clint Capela had a solid outing for Houston, putting up 29 points and 21 rebounds.
The Cavaliers beat the Philadelphia 76ers in their last outing, 121-112, resulting in a push. The combined points for the game (233) came in over the projected point total of 222. Cleveland won the rebounding battle. The Cavaliers had 14 offensive rebounds and 42 total rebounds, while the 76ers had four and 31, respectively. With 18 points and 13 rebounds, Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson played well.
After the Rockets won both meetings against the Cavaliers last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. In the last contest, Houston won 120-88. The Rockets had a better turnover percentage (7.4 vs. 10.5) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.575 vs. 0.437).
Houston holds records of 9-8 straight up (SU) and 7-9 against the spread (ATS). Games involving the Rockets have no tendency in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, Cleveland owns records of 3-14 SU and 8-8 ATS. Of the Cavaliers’ 16 games with betting action, 10 have finished under the O/U total.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Capela (20 points,11.4 rebounds,2.0 blocks) has been great for the Rockets while Thompson (13 points,12.6 rebounds) has contributed greatly to the Cavaliers.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when a pair of the NBA’s slowest-paced teams square off. Cleveland ranks 29th in possessions per game (98.8) and Houston is 28th (98.8).
Houston Rockets at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Cavaliers, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Houston is 4-4 ATS with 5 unders and 3 overs.
At home, Cleveland is 3-5 ATS with 5 unders and 3 overs.
In contests where they hold opponents under 100 points, Cleveland is 1-2 and Houston is 4-2.
The Cavaliers are 3-8 when they reach the century mark, while the Rockets are 7-4.
Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (41.6) while Cleveland ranks 29th (23.6).
The Rockets rank fourth in blocks per game (6.2) while the Cavaliers rank 27th (2.5).
Houston ranks second in assists allowed per game (21.2) while Cleveland ranks 21st (24.1).
The Rockets rank fourth in fast break points allowed per game (11.1) while the Cavaliers rank 22nd (14.6).
Houston ranks 14th in points off turnovers per game (17.0) while Cleveland ranks 26th (14.3).
The Rockets average 8.235294117647058 steals per game, which ranks 11 in the NBA. The Cavaliers rank 20 in steals allowed per game (8.117647058823529).
Cleveland ranks 19 in rebounds per game (43.76470588235294) while Houston ranks 26 (41).
The Cavaliers rank 6 in second chance points per game (14.882352941176471) while the Rockets rank 12 in second chance points allowed per game (12.705882352941176).
Houston is 25 in the league with 42.8235294117647 points in the paint per game while Cleveland is 26 with 42.705882352941174 points in the paint per game.
Bettings Trends:
In its last five outings, Houston is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Cleveland is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over its last five games.
The Rockets have outscored opponents by an average of 9.6 points in their last five games. On the season, Houston has lost by an average of 0.5 points.
During their last five games, the Cavaliers have scored an average of 107.2 points per game (2.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 108.4 points per game (3.3 below their season average).
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