Houston Rockets at Toronto Raptors NBA Picks & Predictions 3/9/2018

Friday, March 9, 2018

Air Canada Centre

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Houston Rockets travel to Air Canada Centre to play the Toronto Raptors on Friday, March 9, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Toronto as 1 point favorites.

The Rockets come into this game with an overall record of 51-13. They are 1st in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 8.8 as they are averaging 114.0 points per game while giving up 105.2 per contest. The Raptors have an overall mark of 47-17. They currently are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 112.0 points per contest and giving up 103.3, which is a point differential of 8.7.

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 34-29-1 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 29-34-1 against the over/under

Important Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 36-28-0 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 32-31-1 against the over/under

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

03/08/18 F Ryan Anderson Hip is "?" Friday vs Toronto

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

03/08/18 G Delon Wright Toe left last game, is "?" Friday vs Houston
03/08/18 F OG Anunoby Ankle is "?" Friday vs Houston

Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 30.9 points per game in 35.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 8.9 assists per contest and 5.2 rebounds per game for Houston. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%. Chris Paul comes into this contest averaging 18.8 points per game while playing 32.1 minutes per night so far this season for the Rockets. He pulls down 5.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 8.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is currently at 92%.

Player Spotlight

DeMar DeRozan averages 24 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.9 rebounds per contest and 5.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 83%. Kyle Lowry averages 16.2 points per game while playing 32.1 minutes per contest this year for the Raptors. He grabs 5.7 rebounds per game and has 6.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage currently is at 84%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets allow 105.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 12th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 20th and 13th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd, and they give up 22.9 assists per contest which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 14.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 20th in the league. Houston averages 114 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 8.88 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 12th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 11th in the league. They average 43.4 rebounds per game and 21.8 assists per game, which ranks them 17th and 23rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 17th with 14.1 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Raptors surrender 103.3 points per contest, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 5th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 10th with 22 assists allowed per contest, and 16th with 43 rebounds surrendered per game. The Raptors are 26th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.2 per game this season. Toronto is 4th in the league with 112 points per game this year. They are 7th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 8.64. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They are 16th in the league in rebounding with 43.5 boards per game and 7th in assists per contest with 23.8. The Raptors are 27th in turnovers per game with 13.2.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 1st in the league in defensive rating with 106.9, and their offensive rating of 115.9 is ranked 23rd. They are 10th in the NBA in pace with 98.1 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 60% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA. Houston is 19th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 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

Toronto is 27th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 28th in the NBA. The Raptors are 4th in the league in defensive rating with 105, and their offensive rating of 113.8 is ranked 28th. They are 14th in the NBA in pace with 97.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 5th. As a unit they are 5th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shot attempts, ranking 5th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Toronto -1

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