Wednesday’s NBA slate includes 10 games, with the first tipping off at 6:30 p.m. EST. In that contest, the Houston Rockets head northward across the border to take on the Toronto Raptors. With Kevin Durant and Brandon Ingram going shot-for-shot and two-way forces Amen Thompson and Scottie Barnes squaring off, this looks like a very fun meeting between a couple of quality teams.
Here’s a Rockets vs. Raptors prediction and pick on DraftKings Sportsbook for Wednesday’s matchup.
Rockets vs. Raptors prediction, preview
Houston Rockets
The Rockets brought in Kevin Durant this offseason with the intention of the future Hall of Famer taking the team over the top. Through the first three games, Houston holds a surprising 1-2 record with losses to the Thunder and Pistons before beating the Nets on Monday. The good news is this team scores plenty of points with 124 a game with average efficiency from the field and the league’s sixth-best three-point percentage at 39.8%, an encouraging sign after shooting poorly last season. The Rockets also sit 12th in rebounding and will likely improve in that aspect of the game after dominating the boards last season with the glass a clear focus of the roster’s construction. Durant has played well with 26.3 PPG and Alperen Sengun seems on his way to take a leap with 25.7 PPG, 8.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists while demonstrating a newfound ability to shoot from three-point range too. Plus, Amen Thompson remains one of the NBA’s premier two-way players, though his scoring hasn’t yet come around to start the season.
On the flip side though, the lack of a real playmaker shows with Fred Van Vleet sidelined indefinitely due to an ACL tear. The Rockets are 23rd in assists and the halfcourt offense has grown stagnant at times without a real floor general to run the show. If Thompson or Reed Sheppard grow as playmakers, either could step up, but in the meantime Sengun remains a focal hub as a passer and the primary engine here.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors have begun their year 1-3 after beating the Hawks but dropping three straight games to the Bucks, Mavericks and Spurs. The addition of last year’s trade deadline acquisition Brandon Ingram into the starting lineup can make a real difference in a wide-open Eastern Conference, and he’s done his part with 20.3 PPG, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 50.8% from the field. Outside of point guard Immanuel Quickley, this team is built with length as RJ Barrett (21.5 PPG, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists) and Scottie Barnes (20.0 PPG, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists) round out the other leading contributors. The Raptors are 10th in scoring with 121.5 PPG and are passing the ball well the 30.8 assists a night, second-best of any team. They’re also top-10 in steals with long wings often interrupting passing lanes.
However, rebounding is certainly a weakness for Toronto. The roster ranks 27th in rebounds per contest with just 39.5, and starting center Jakob Poeltl is doubtful to play with back tightness. If he doesn’t play, that marks a huge loss against one of the NBA’s most physical teams that also happens to deploy a jumbo lineup.
Rockets vs. Raptors pick, best bet
On DraftKings Sportsbook, the Rockets enter as -5.5 favorites with -238 odds to win on the Moneyline. The Raptors come in at +195 underdogs to win outright with a game total of 231.5 points.
Houston already sees the upper hand coming into this one, but in the event Poeltl doesn’t play, this game might just enter blowout territory. Toronto seems to be scoring the ball well, but the rebounding battle takes center stage whenever playing against the Rockets. The lack of real guards on that roster means Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Durant, Tari Eason, Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams are on the floor more often than not, often with four at the same time. The Raptors have length, but they don’t have the depth at center to stand a chance on the glass as Sandro Mamukelashvili or Jonathan Mogbo likely gets the starting nod. With plenty of extra possessions and second-chance points, Houston should take advantage and overcome the lack of floor general as the rotation continues to get more comfortable with the integration of Durant into the picture.
