NBA Picks and Betting Tips: Washington Wizards vs Houston Rockets Prediction, 12th November

NLB Saff

11.11.2024 13:25

Wizards vs Rockets Prediction

As the Washington Wizards enter this game have struggled in their re-building stage through the early part of this season, they play a Houston Rockets squad that has found great improvement on both ends of the floor. With the Wizards coming off a 25-point loss against Memphis, this Rockets unit is entering this matchup having one a nail-bitter against Detroit. This matchup will occur on November 12th at 6:30 A.M. IST in Toyota Center of Houston. Underneath are our betting odds, key player props, important injuries, and recent matchups to create a potential outcome for this matchup.

Wizards vs Rockets Key Betting Tips & Predictions

1. Washington Wizards vs Houston Rockets Moneyline Pick

As the Rockets moneyline is at -604 in this game, they should be able to win this game and continue on their streak. Seeing that Fred VanVleet has stepped into a leader and solid all-around player whose passing has developed, he should be able to use Jalen Green’s shot-making ability as an advantage. Although VanVleet could be going against the tougher Jordan Poole, Jalen Green gets to take Carlton Carrington to the house every single time or beat him on jump shots. With Aleperen Sengun turning into an elite center who can dribble and rebound, he plus Jabari Smith Jr. make an awesome two-way combo inside the paint. Seeing this, plus Dillon Brooks's ability to stop Bilal Coliubaly, the Rocket's -604 money line should be taken as they try to win their 4th in a row.

2. Washington Wizards vs Houston Rockets Point Spread Pick

Seeing that the -10.5 spread is given the Rockets way in this matchup, it is a good pick because of their ability to exploit Washington both ways in this game. Having Jordan Poole at point, he will have a great matchup with Fred VanVleet who will use the mismatch to score more points in the lane. Seeing that, Poole will have to fire back and if Houston keeps bringing up Dillon Brooks as a switch, it could force a lot of bad shots. With Dillon Brooks being one of the best defenders league-wide, his ability to force others into bad shots could help this Rockets team stop the prowess of Bilal Coulibaly. Since Coulibaly has been one of the most efficient small-forwards in the league at scoring, the Rockets forward has shown abilities to handle players at a level higher than his. With Alperen Sengun in the center for Houston, his rebounding ability and greatness to space the floor will be something that Alexandre Sarr will have a tough time guarding. Seeing that Sarr is so much bigger, it could cause a mismatch with Jabari Smith Jr. who could use his strength to finish over the Wizards center as well. Looking at how both of these teams are coached on both ends of the floor, Houston’s -10.5 spread is great because they should handle Washington with ease.

3. Washington Wizards vs Houston Rockets Over/Under Pick (Total Points)

As the over/under in this game is at 218.5 points, it should be a pretty solid scoring game between both sides. Although the Rockets have a clear advantage with one of the best shooting centers, a more efficient shooting guard, and a phenomenal three-point shooting wing, this Wizards squad possesses one of the most efficient point guards. As their point guard has developed into a next-level player, so has their small forward helping many young pieces including the center score more. Seeing that these two squads combined for 251 points last time out, the scoreline should be somewhere around there.

Washington Wizards vs Houston Rockets Top Player Props

Jordan Poole is under 19.5 points at 1.83: As Jordan Poole will be matching up against a strong defender like Fred VanVleet, his scoring could end up a bigger issue due to the ability of the Rockets point guard to create steals. Seeing the VanVleet averages 1.7 steals and closes out well, Poole is someone who has scored 20.5 points and dominated much weaker defenders. Going up against one of the best, he will have a total under his season average by a bit.

Fred VanVleet over 15.5 points at 1.87: Seeing that Fred VanVleet is one of the best dribbles in the league, he will be able to beat Jordan Poole and use explosiveness to finish. As he works well on screens as well and scores at pretty efficient rates, VanVleet has been averaging 13.2 points. Seeing that he can also have a chance to get one-on-one mismatches with Carlton Carrington, this could be a scoring night where he goes way over his season average.

Washington Wizards vs Houston Rockets Injury News & Impact

Washington Wizards Injuries: Although this team has had Malcolm Brogdon out for a while now, the Wizards still don’t have their key piece in Kyle Kuzma. As Washington’s main scorer, his 17.0 points and 7.0 rebounds will be missing with them having to start Kyshawn George in that position once again. Seeing this, Alexandre Sarr will have to do much of the work inside due to George being a bit undersized in his position.

Houston Rockets Injuries: As Steven Adams continues being their only piece that is out, this Rockets squad should be able to run their same rotations out there and help Ime Udoka execute a game plan for him.

Wizards vs Rockets Head-to-Head Trends

With the Rockets having won 3 straight games against this Washington Wizards squad, their role should continue as they have proved to be a much stronger squad. Seeing that 2 of these three games ended up with the Rockets winning by over 15 points, there is another potential blowout on hands. In addition, these teams should both score a ton of points as they have managed to put up 100+ each in their last 4 matchups.

Betting Insights & Public Trends

As this game will be played, the Houston Rockets have 85.8% of bettors backing their way to win this matchup.

Wizards vs Rockets Final Prediction

Heading into this game, Houston should dominate throughout with their abilities on both ends and veteran experience over Washington. Trying to become a playoff team, this is another game the Rockets have to end up victorious because it will build their record heading into the more difficult part of their schedule. Led by Fred VanVleet at point guard, his great ability to score inside the lane and make shots over longer defenders gives him an advantage over someone like Jordan Poole. Even though Poole has been a great two-way player in his own right this season, VanVleet’s shot creation is a very underrated aspect of his game while also being able to make great passes to his wings. Having Jalen Green in his backcourt as one of the better young scorers, he has shown development every season and should have a strong matchup against Carlton Carrington. Although Carrington has been someone who can create offense, Green’s improvement to defend under Ime Udoka lets him force easy steals and cause traps against less muscular guards. Having Dillon Brooks as the Rockets' main three and defensive guy helps them provide great size so that Jabari Smith Jr. could focus on the power forwards at all times. Seeing Brooks ability to close out and create extra chances for Houston, his pick-and-roll game with either Alperen Sengun or Jabari Smith Jr. has been very under the radar this season. Seeing that Sengun is a great all-around player and improved blocker, he should have an easy advantage over Alexandre Sarr, while Jabari Smith Jr. hopes to continue using his size to force bad shots by power forwards like Kyshawn George. Although this is true, the Wizards could keep it competitive if Jordan Poole and Bilal Coulibaly can continue their offensive prowess against Houston.

Our prediction: The Houston Rockets win and cover their -10.5 spread, while the score goes over 218.5 points.