Offense meets defense when the Houston Rockets (22-4) welcome the San Antonio Spurs (19-9) to Toyota Center. The game will air on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday, December 15, 2017.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 213.5 points with Houston opening as an 8-point favorite.
San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets Free Prediction
The Spurs are trying to rebound after their 95-89 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in their last game. Dallas’ turnover percentage was their biggest strength over San Antonio. The Mavericks had a rate of 6.0 (better than their season average of 12.5), while the Spurs posted a mark of 9.5. LaMarcus Aldridge was the game’s high scorer with 23 points on 9-for-23 shooting.
In the Rockets’ last game, they beat the Charlotte Hornets, 108-96. Houston’s 0.540 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Charlotte, who had a rate of 0.437. The Rockets’ mark was below their season average of 0.566, while the Hornets’ was below their season average of 0.492. Chris Paul was the top scorer from either team with 31 points on 10-for-18 shooting.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the productive offense of Houston takes on the elite defense of San Antonio. The Rockets rank second in offensive efficiency, while the Spurs are second in defensive efficiency.
San Antonio comes into the game with records of 19-9 straight up (SU) and 14-12-2 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to set the total high when the Spurs are involved, as 57.1 percent of their games have ended under the total.
Meanwhile, Houston owns records of 22-4 SU and 14-11-1 ATS. Rockets games also have gone under the total 53.8 percent of the time.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Rudy Gay (15.4 points and 7.8 rebounds) has been great for the Spurs while Paul (19.6 points, 7.8 assists, 6.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals) has made solid contributions to the Rockets.
After the Spurs won seven out of 10 meetings against the Rockets last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last game, San Antonio won 114-75. The Spurs had a much better turnover percentage (6.4 vs. 12.9) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (34.1 vs. 17.9).
San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Spurs, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, San Antonio is 4-8-1 ATS with 10 unders, 2 overs and 1 push.
Houston is 5-7-1 ATS at home with 7 unders and 6 overs.
San Antonio is 11-5 when they allow less than 100 points, while Houston is 10-1.
When reaching the century mark, the Spurs are 14-0 and the Rockets are 22-2.
Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (43.3) while San Antonio ranks 26th (25.0).
The Rockets rank third in steals per game (9.4) while the Spurs rank 21st (7.3).
Houston ranks fourth in points off turnovers per game (19.3) while San Antonio ranks 22nd (15.5).
The Spurs rank second in blocks per game (6.0) while the Rockets rank 13th (4.9).
San Antonio ranks first in second chance points allowed per game (10.3) while Houston ranks eighth (11.4).
The Rockets rank 11th in fast break points per game (11.9) while the Spurs rank 15th in fast break points allowed per game (11.1).
San Antonio ranks 22nd in points in the paint per game (40.8) while Houston ranks 24th in points allowed in the paint per game (45.9).
The Rockets rank second in rebounds allowed per game (40.9) while the Spurs rank fourth (41.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, San Antonio is 2-3 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push.
Houston is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Spurs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.0, down from 3.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 118.4 points per game (3.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 106.4 points per game (2.7 above their season average).
