Houston Rockets vs Toronto Raptors Betting Pick & Prediction 12/22/24

At 6:00 ET, the Houston Rockets (-333) will travel to take on the Toronto Raptors (+269) in a non-conference matchup. The Rockets are favored by 8 points and the over/under line is set at 223.

This game will be played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and can be seen on SCHN. The Rockets come into this game with a record of 18-9 and are currently 3rd in the Western Conference. The Raptors are 7-21 and have dropped 6 straight games. Toronto is currently 14th in the Eastern Conference.

HOUSTON ROCKETS VS TORONTO RAPTORS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Toronto Raptors +8

This game will be played at Scotiabank Arena at 6:00 ET on Sunday, December 22nd.

WHY BET THE TORONTO RAPTORS:

  • We have this one finishing with a projected score of 124-121 in favor of the Rockets.
  • Our projections have Jalen Green finishing with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
  • From the field, we have the Rockets finishing with a field goal percentage of 46.0% and knocking down 13 threes.

Can the Rockets Grab a Win in Toronto?

The Rockets improved to 18-9 this season after a 133-113 win over the Pelicans on Thursday. Houston, playing at home, was favored by 9.5 points and covered the spread with the 20-point victory. The game’s total of 246 points exceeded the O/U line of 218.5 by 27.5 points.

Houston set the tone early with a 13-0 run, taking the lead from 7-5 to 18-7. They led 39-25 after the 1st quarter. The teams played to a 27-27 tie in the 2nd quarter, but the Rockets outscored the Pelicans 33-27 in the 3rd, entering the 4th with a 99-79 lead. Both teams scored 34 points in the final quarter.

The Rockets’ offense was firing on all cylinders in their win over the Pelicans, shooting 57.5% from the field and hitting 17 threes at a 43.6% clip. Jalen Green led the way with 34 points, including 22 in the 3rd quarter, while Dillon Brooks added 26 points, knocking down 6 threes at 60% shooting from deep.

Alperen Sengun contributed 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, shooting 71.4% from the floor, and added 10 points in the 4th quarter. Fred VanVleet and Jabari Smith each scored 8 points in the 1st quarter, with Smith adding 6 more in the final period.

Defensively, the Rockets held the Pelicans to 113 points on Thursday, despite a 34-point 4th quarter. Houston allowed 25 points in the 1st quarter, and 27 points in both the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

The Pelicans shot 44% from the field, including 46% from three-point range, making 13 threes. The Rockets sent New Orleans to the line 25 times, where they made 18 free throws. Houston finished with 36 defensive rebounds, 7 steals, and 6 blocks.

Will the Raptors Come Through as Home Underdogs?

Toronto’s season continues to be a struggle, as they dropped to 7-21 after a 101-94 home loss to the Nets on Thursday. The Raptors were favored by 2.5 points but failed to cover the spread. The game’s total of 195 points fell well short of the 219-point O/U line.

Toronto appeared to be in control after a strong 3rd quarter, outscoring the Nets 30-18 to take a 76-70 lead. However, Brooklyn dominated the 4th quarter, going on an 11-0 run to break a 90-90 tie and seal the win.

In their 101-94 loss to the Nets, the Raptors shot just 39.5% from the field, but connected on 15 threes at a 34.1% rate. Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick each hit 4 threes, with Agbaji leading the team with 20 points and Dick adding 19.

Agbaji scored 8 of his points in the 3rd quarter, while Dick added 9 in the same period. Scottie Barnes contributed 16 points, 6 assists, and 2 threes, shooting 45.5% from the field.

Defensively, the Raptors were solid, holding the Nets to 101 points on 40% shooting, including just 23% from beyond the arc. Toronto allowed 24 points in the 1st quarter and 28 in the 2nd but tightened up in the 3rd, giving up just 18 points. However, they struggled in the 4th, allowing 31 points.

The Raptors limited the Nets to 9 made threes but sent them to the line 31 times, where Brooklyn converted 26 free throws. Toronto finished with 6 steals and 4 blocks but gave up 15 offensive rebounds.