The Houston Rockets (18-9) travel to face off against the Toronto Raptors (7-21) on Sunday, December 22nd. This game will be played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and televised on SCHN. The Rockets are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Raptors are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Raptors. Tip-off is set for 6:00 ET.

Rockets vs Raptors

The Rockets Are Coming Off A Win

With a 133-113 win over the Pelicans on Thursday, the Rockets improved to 18-9 this season. Houston was favored by 9.5 points and covered the spread, while the game’s total of 246 points went well over the 218.5-point line.

Houston took control early with a 13-0 run, extending the score from 7-5 to 18-7. They led 39-25 after the 1st quarter and maintained their advantage, matching New Orleans 27-27 in the 2nd quarter. The Rockets outscored the Pelicans 33-27 in the 3rd quarter and entered the 4th with a 99-79 lead, finishing the game with a 34-34 final quarter.

The Raptors Are Coming Off A Win

Toronto’s season continued to spiral on Thursday, as a 101-94 loss to the Nets dropped their record to 7-21. The Raptors, who were -2.5 point favorites at home, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 195 fell well short of the 219 over/under line.

After a 28-22 2nd quarter by the Nets, Toronto responded with a strong 3rd quarter, outscoring Brooklyn 30-18. However, the Raptors couldn’t maintain their momentum, as the Nets went on an 11-0 run in the 4th quarter, breaking a 90-90 tie and taking control of the game.

Rockets Offense Breakdown

Jalen Green poured in 34 points, including 22 in the 3rd quarter, as the Rockets shot 57.5% from the field and 43.6% from three, hitting 17 threes in their 133-113 win over the Pelicans. Dillon Brooks added 26 points, knocking down 6 threes at a 60% clip.

Alperen Şengün contributed 23 points and 9 rebounds, scoring 10 points in the 4th quarter. Jabari Smith and Fred VanVleet each scored 8 points in the 1st quarter, with Smith adding 6 more in the 4th.

Raptors Offense Breakdown

In their 101-94 loss to the Nets, the Raptors shot just 39.5% from the field. However, they connected on 15 threes, shooting 34.1% from beyond the arc.

Ochai Agbaji led the way with 20 points, hitting 4 threes at a 50% clip. Gradey Dick also made 4 threes, finishing with 19 points, including 9 in the 3rd quarter.

Rockets Team Defense

Defensively, the Rockets gave up 113 points to the Pelicans but still managed to secure the win. They allowed 25 points in the 1st quarter, 27 in both the 2nd and 3rd, and 34 in the 4th.

Houston allowed New Orleans to shoot 44% from the field, including 46% from three-point range, with the Pelicans making 13 threes. The Rockets sent New Orleans to the line 25 times, where they hit 18 free throws. Houston finished with 7 steals and 6 blocks.

Raptors Team Defense

Defensively, the Rockets held the Pelicans to 113 points on Thursday, giving up 25 points in the 1st quarter and 27 in both the 2nd and 3rd. However, they allowed 34 points in the 4th.

The Pelicans shot 44% from the field, including 46% from three with 13 made threes. Houston sent New Orleans to the line 25 times, where they made 18 free throws. The Rockets finished with 7 steals and 6 blocks.

Rockets vs Raptors Trends

• Through their last three road games, Houston has an ATS record of just 1-2. However, their overall record was 1-2 while averaging 102 points per game.
• Toronto has a 1-2 record in their last three home games. In this stretch, they averaged 111 points per game while allowing 109. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
• Spanning across their last three games as the betting underdog, the Raptors have gone 2-0-1 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 0-3.
• Through their last five games as the favorite, the Rockets have an ATS record of 3-2 and a straight up mark of 4-1.

Rockets vs Raptors Prediction

When looking to get a point-spread pick down in this Rockets vs. Raptors game, our recommendation is to take the Raptors at +8. Despite our model showing the Rockets winning 124-121, we like Raptors as our point-spread pick.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 223 and given that our model is projecting 245 points between the teams, we like the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.