Houston Rockets vs Toronto Raptors NBA Picks 12/5/2019

Game: Houston Rockets vs Toronto Raptors

Date: Thursday, December 5, 2019

Location: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON

TV: NBA TV

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -1

Total/Over-Under: 230

Pascal Siakam and the Toronto Raptors (15-4, 1st in the Atlantic Division) host the Houston Rockets (13-6, 2nd in the Southwest Division) at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday, December 5, 2019. Toronto opens this matchup as 1 point dogs. The total is set at 230.

The Rockets cover 50.0% of the time, having gone 10-10-0 ATS. Toronto is covering 65.0% of the time, going 13-7-0 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

12/3/2019 Jr SF Illness Game Time Decision
12/3/2019 Nene C Hip Game Time Decision
11/12/2019 Eric Gordon SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Dec 13
10/28/2019 Gerald Green SG Foot Expected to be out until at least Apr 15

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/1/2019 Stanley Johnson SF Groin Game Time Decision
11/26/2019 Matt Thomas SG Finger Expected to be out until at least Dec 28
11/6/2019 Patrick McCaw SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Dec 14

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook averages 21.9 points per game in 34.1 minutes per contest. He averages 7.1 assists per contest and 7.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 73%. James Harden comes into this contest averaging 39.5 points per game while playing 37.4 minutes per night. He pulls down 6.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is at 88%.

Player Spotlight

Fred VanVleet averages 18.7 points per game and he sees the court an average of 37.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.8 rebounds per contest and 7.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 88%. Pascal Siakam averages 25.1 points per game while playing 36.9 minutes per contest. He grabs 8.6 rebounds per game and has 3.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets allow 115.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 25th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 16th and 15th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.7 rebounds a game which ranks 25th, and they give up 26.1 assists per contest which puts them in 28th place in the league. They force 16.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the league. Houston averages 120.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 5.4 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 20th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 26th in the league. They average 48.0 rebounds per game and 21.7 assists per contest, which ranks them 4th and 26th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 14th with 15.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Raptors surrender 105.0 points per contest, which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 41% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 1st and 5th in those defensive statistics. They rank 21st with 24.7 assists allowed per contest, and 30th with 48.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Raptors are 23rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.1 per game. Toronto is 9th in the league with 113.1 points per game this year. They are 13th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 8.1. They shoot 39% from 3-point range, which is good for 2nd in the NBA. They are 11th in the league in rebounding with 46.2 boards per game and 7th in assists per contest with 25.8. The Raptors are 16th in turnovers per game with 15.2.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 3rd in the league in defensive rating with 109, and their offensive rating of 114.1 is ranked 16th. They are 3rd in the NBA in pace with 104.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 9th. As a unit they are 5th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% 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 14th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Toronto is 14th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 48%, which is 30th in the league. The Raptors are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111, and their defensive rating of 103.1 is ranked 5th. In terms of pace they are 14th in the league with 100.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 7th. As a team they are 6th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shots, ranking 7th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Houston -1

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