Houston (24-11) at Atlanta (8-29)
When: Wednesday, January 8th, 2020
Where: State Farm Arena,
Atlanta, Georgia
Time: 7:35 ET | TV: FS Southeast
Opening Odds: Houston -7/233
The Houston Rockets are set to play three games over the next four days, but are about as well rested as can be. The Rockets start by visiting the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday in a rematch of an ugly blowout earlier this season back in Houston. That game on Nov. 30 saw Houston star James Harden pour in 60 points before sitting out the entire fourth quarter in a 158-111 triumph that left Atlanta with their 10th consecutive loss at the time. The Hawks haven’t been much better since, losing 12 of their last 14 contests to fall to an NBA-worst 8-29 on the season. Atlanta had trouble stopping another superstar on Monday, when Denver’s Nikola Jokic scored a career-best 47 points on 16-of-25 shooting in the 123-115 win over the Hawks. Houston has played only one game since New Year’s Eve and that was a 118-108 home victory over the Philadelphia 76ers last Friday when Harden recorded his 43rd career triple-double.1. The Rockets won the past five meetings after the Hawks prevailed in the previous seven.
Center Clint Capela scored a season-best 30 points against Philadelphia and also collected 14 rebounds for his 23rd double-double of the season. Harden’s backcourt mate Russell Westbrook plans on sitting the game out to be ready for the Thunder on Thursday. Westbrook scored 20 points against the Sixers and is one day away from playing in Oklahoma City for the first time since being traded. Harden recorded 44 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists against Philadelphia and has 14 40-point efforts this season.
Star guard Trae Young is doing his best to keep Atlanta competitive and had 37 points in the loss to Houston earlier this season. He recorded 29 points and 12 assists against the Nuggets on Monday. Young was 8-of-12 from the field including 4-of-5 from 3-point range and 9-for-9 from the free throw line. Power forward John Collins scored 17 points against Denver, while shooting guard Kevin Huerter (11.2 points) is averaging 24 points over his last two games. Forward Jabari Parker (shoulder, illness) is questionable for Wednesday’s game.
Atlanta’s defense has no chance against this Houston team even without Westbrook on the court. The Rockets are well-rested and I expect an easy win before taking on the Thunder.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for Wednesday. He is 42-32-2 (57%) on the season!
Pick: Rockets -8
Rockets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Rockets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite.
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Rockets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Rockets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Rockets are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Rockets are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.
Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Rockets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.
Hawks are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 1 days rest.
Hawks are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Hawks are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 5-0 in Rockets last 5 Wednesday games.
Under is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 games as a favorite.
Under is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Under is 7-2 in Rockets last 9 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.
Under is 6-2 in Rockets last 8 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 8-3 in Rockets last 11 games as a road favorite.
Under is 13-5 in Rockets last 18 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Under is 5-2 in Rockets last 7 games following a ATS win.
Under is 6-1 in Hawks last 7 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 6-2 in Hawks last 8 Wednesday games.
Over is 18-8 in Hawks last 26 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 19-9 in Hawks last 28 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 19-9 in Hawks last 28 games as an underdog.
Over is 25-12 in Hawks last 37 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Rockets are 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Atlanta.
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
