Posted on
3/10/2008 2:41:15 PM
NBA Betting Trends – Time For Another Texas Two-Step As Rockets Host
By Eric Williams
The Houston Rockets, (42-20 SU, 37-24-1 ATS, 27-34-1 O/U), have shaken off the loss of all-star center Yao Ming with a dismissive wave of one hand while using the other to continually lay the ‘Smackdown’ on unsuspecting opponents who may have erroneously believed the Rockets would be more vulnerable after losing their best low post player and rebounder.
While the Rockets have succeeded in the face of adversity, winning 18 consecutive games coming into tonight’s showdown with the New Jersey Nets, (26-37 SU, 23-38-2 ATS, 28-33-2 O/U), including an definitive 106-96 spanking of the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday, the Nets have fallen apart recently, losing five consecutive games, including a pathetic 111-91 loss to the Dallas Mavericks and former point guard Jason Kidd on Saturday.
The Rockets have won six straight games in the BetUS.com Sportsbook since learning that Yao would miss the remainder of the regular season with another in a long line of annual injuries for the talented but fragile center.
The Rockets have been getting wonderful performance from many of the team’s complimentary players like point guard Rafer Alston and athletic young forward Carl Landry, but the team’s other star, swingman Tracy McGrady, has carried his club lately, averaging 26.6 points and 6.4 assists in the last eight games, including a powerful 41-point performance against the Hornets.
"I understood how big this game was," McGrady told the team's official Web site. "Coach (Rick Adelman) told us at the end of shoot-around that if we were to win this game, it would move us to the third spot and I told him that there was extra motivation right there. I was just ready to go."
The Nets are just 3-7 in their last ten games and 3-6-1 against the spread over the same span, while the Rockets have covered the spread in 10 consecutive games.
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my NBA Betting Free Picks.
The Nets are 17-35-2 ATS in their last 54 games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Nets are 16-35-1 ATS in their last 52 games following a SU loss of more than ten points.
The Rockets are 6-0 ATS in their last six home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
The Rockets are 4-0 ATS in their last four home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than .400.
The Under is 22-5 in Nets last 27 games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Over is 4-1 in Rockets last five games following a S.U. win.
The Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Houston.
The Under is 6-2-1 in the last nine meetings.
Analysis: I smell another rout by the Rockets and this one has the New Jersey Nets collective names written all over it. By the way, has anyone heard from Vince Carter lately? Take Houston to ‘Rocket and roll’ tonight!
NBA Free Picks: Houston -13 Points/Over 193 Total Points
08:35 PM EST NBA Betting Odds
New Jersey Nets +13 -110
Houston Rockets -13 -110
Over 193 -110
Under 193 -110
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