Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors - 12/25/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors

Date: Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Location: Chase Center in San Francisco, CA

TV: ABC

Odds/Point Spread: Golden State -1.5

Total/Over-Under: 228.5

James Harden and the Houston Rockets (21-9, 1st in the Southwest Division) are headed to Chase Center on Christmas Day where they'll take on the Golden State Warriors (7-24, 5th in the Pacific Division). Houston opens this game as 1.5 point dogs. The O/U opens at 228.5.

The Rockets cover the spread 50.0% of the time, having gone 15-15-0 ATS. Golden State covers the spread 45.2% of the time, going 14-17-0 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

12/23/2019 Thabo Sefolosha SF Illness Expected to be out until at least Dec 25
12/16/2019 Nene C Hip Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
12/13/2019 Eric Gordon SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 3
10/28/2019 Gerald Green SG Foot Expected to be out until at least Apr 15

Key Golden State Warriors Injuries

12/23/2019 III Glenn Robinson III SF Ankle Expected to be out until at least Dec 25
12/6/2019 Stephen Curry PG Hand Expected to be out until at least Feb 29
10/22/2019 Klay Thompson SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Jun 1

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook averages 23.9 points per game in 35.1 minutes per contest. He averages 7.2 assists per contest and 8.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%. James Harden comes into this contest averaging 38.6 points per game while playing 37.6 minutes per night. He pulls down 5.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is at 88%.

Player Spotlight

Eric Paschall averages 15.2 points per game and he sees the court an average of 29.0 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.8 rebounds per contest and 1.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 79%. Alec Burks averages 15.9 points per game while playing 29.5 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 3.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets allow 114.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 17th and 15th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.9 rebounds a game which ranks 17th, and they give up 25.8 assists per contest which puts them in 27th place in the league. They force 15.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 22nd in the league. Houston averages 120.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.8 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 17th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 21st in the league. They average 47.2 rebounds per game and 21.6 assists per contest, which ranks them 5th and 26th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 15th with 15.0 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Warriors surrender 113.3 points per contest, which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 39% average from 3-point range, ranking them 25th and 30th in those defensive statistics. They rank 23rd with 25.1 assists allowed per contest, and 18th with 45.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Warriors are 26th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.1 per game. Golden State is 26th in the league with 104.9 points per game this year. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -8.4. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 28th in the NBA. They are 23rd in the league in rebounding with 43.6 boards per game and 15th in assists per contest with 23.9. The Warriors are 18th in turnovers per game with 14.9.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 115.1, and their defensive rating of 109.5 is ranked 16th. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 103.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 5th. As a team they are 3rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 19th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 13th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Golden State is 17th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 6th in the league. The Warriors are 30th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.1, and their defensive rating of 112.4 is ranked 23rd. In terms of pace they are 17th in the league with 100.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 30th. As a team they are 28th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 28th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Houston +1.5

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