Houston Rockets at Washington Wizards NBA Picks & Predictions 12/29/2017

Friday, December 29, 2017

Capital One Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Houston Rockets travel to Capital One Arena to play the Washington Wizards on Friday, December 29, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 4 point favorites.

The Rockets come into this game with an overall record of 25-7. They are 1st in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 9.5 as they are averaging 115.1 points per game while giving up 105.6 per contest. The Wizards have an overall mark of 19-16. They currently are 1st in the Southeast Division. They are averaging 105.6 points per contest and giving up 103.9, which is a point differential of 1.7.

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 16-15-1 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 17-15-0 against the over/under

Important Washington Wizards Betting Trends

The Washington Wizards are 17-18-0 against the spread

The Washington Wizards are 12-23-0 against the over/under

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

12/27/17 PG Chris Paul Groin is "?" Thursday vs Boston
12/27/17 C Clint Capela Eye is out indefinitely
12/14/17 F Luc Mbah a Moute Shoulder is out indefinitely

Key Washington Wizards Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Eric Gordon comes into this contest averaging 19.5 points per game while playing 32 minutes per night so far this season for the Rockets. He pulls down 2.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is currently at 83%. James Harden averages 32.4 points per game in 36.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 9.2 assists per contest and 5.2 rebounds per game for Houston. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%.

Player Spotlight

John Wall averages 18.2 points per game while playing 33 minutes per contest this year for the Wizards. He grabs 3.7 rebounds per game and has 8.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage currently is at 70%. Bradley Beal averages 23 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 35.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.3 rebounds per contest and 3.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 115.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 9.56 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 8th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 12th in the league. They average 44.1 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 12th and 17th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 11th with 15.3 per game. The Rockets allow 105.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 15th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 19th and 17th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 40.6 rebounds a game which ranks 1st and they give up 21.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 11th place in the league. They force 14.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 18th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Washington is 13th in the league with 105.6 points per game this year. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 1.77. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 15th in the NBA. They are 16th in the league in rebounding with 43.3 boards per game, and 14th in assists per contest with 22.6. The Wizards are 26th in turnovers per game with 13.7. The Wizards surrender 103.9 points per contest, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 1st in those defensive statistics. They rank 9th with 21.7 assists allowed per contest and 24th with 44.3 rebounds surrendered per game. The Wizards are 22nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.4 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 1st in the league in defensive rating with 106.4, and their offensive rating of 116 is ranked 23rd. They are 8th in the NBA in pace with 99.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 56% is 2nd. As a unit they are 2nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 61% and they shoot 3-pointers on 51% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA. Houston is 10th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 12th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Washington is 27th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 24th in the league. The Wizards are 12th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.1, and their defensive rating of 106.3 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 13th in the league with 97.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 21st. As a team they are 18th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 22nd in the league.

Who will win tonight's Rockets/Wizards NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Washington +4

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