Hapless Raps vs. the Houston Rockets

The Toronto Raptors take on the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night with a lot to prove. Toronto has made a key trade in each of the past two seasons. In 2008 they traded for Jermaine O’Neal. In 2009 they traded O’Neal for Shawn Marion. The final judgment regarding the Marion trade hasn’t been issued just yet. But one thing is for sure, a team with a talented player like Chris Bosh should be better than their straight-up record of 23 and 38. Against the spread Toronto is 23-36-2. Their ATS record on the road is 13-19-1.

Houston has been a huge surprise for most gamblers. Two things happened to Houston during the All-Star break that led me to believe they wouldn’t have a shot in the Western conference. First, they lost Tracey McGrady for the season. Second, they traded away Rafer Alston. But the Rockets proved me wrong by coming out of the All-Star break with guns blazing! They are currently ranked in the top five in the NBA Power Rankings for a reason. They have suddenly become a tough team to beat with a straight-up record of 38 and 22. Their against the spread record is still a losing one at 28-31-1 and their at home ATS record isn’t all that great overall at 14-15-1 but the Rockets figure to be a serious challenger to the Lakers for the Western Conference title.

Here is the BetUS Sportsbook online NBA betting odds for this game.

Toronto Raptors +8 -110 O 197 ½ -110

Houston Rockets -8 -110 U 197 ½ -110

Here are a few online wagering trends for this game.

The Toronto Raptors are 1 and 7 ATS in their last 8 road games.

The Toronto Raptors are 0 and 5 against the spread in their last 5 games as an underdog.

The Houston Rockets are 4 and 1 ATS in their last 5 games at home.

The Houston Rockets are 5 and 2 against the spread in their last 7 games overall.

The Rockets are one of the best options to challenge the Lakers in the Western Conference because they made a key switch in their starting line-up shortly after the All-Star Break.

Houston decided to start Ron Artest at guard. It was a brilliant move because Artest can play defense against the opposing team’s best guard while still muscling his way for rebounds and scores in the paint. It also allowed the Rockets to start one of their better defensive players, Shane Battier.

Battier takes on the opposing team’s best player in the paint. Artest guards the opposing team’s best player on the perimeter. Houston decides to pack it in and become a defense first team and all of a sudden they start winning games.

Since the switch, the Rockets have been very difficult to beat. They will be difficult to beat again on Tuesday night against the Raptors.

Houston is a very patient team. Toronto just won’t be able to run up and down the court and dunk at will against Houston. Artest will shut down Shawn Marion and Shane Battier at least should contain Chris Bosh.

If that happens, and I believe it will, then Houston should cover the -8 in the Sports Book.