At the onset of the 1967-68 Rockets franchise in San Diego came a lot of losing. Small crowds were the byproduct of this misery. Following four years of failure, the Rockets moved to Houston for the 1971-72 campaign. The team never really was a serious contender until winning NBA titles in 1994 and 1995. Even that is tarnished in the eyes of some. Cause by Michael Jordan taking those years off from the Chicago Bulls.
More recently the team has made the NBA betting playoffs seven straight seasons. In the 2018 Western Conference Finals, the Rockets lost a seven-game heartbreaker to the Warriors with the NBA odds. Houston boasts one of the most prolific offenses in NBA history. Counter to that is a defense that has been a drag most of the time.
2020 Houston Rockets
Odds to win NBA Championship: +1300
Odds to win Western Conference: +700
Record at Time of COVID-19 Suspension: 40-24 straight up, 29-35 against the spread, 28-36 under the total
Metric Rankings: 2nd for scoring offense, 22nd for field goal percentage, 23rd for three-point field goal percentage, 10th for free throw percentage, 14th for offensive rebounds, 22nd for points allowed, 15th for field goal percentage allowed, 10th for three-point percentage allowed, 28th for defensive rebounds
Standing: 6th place in Western Conference, 9.5 games out of first place
Houston Rockets 2020 NBA Restart Schedule
Friday, July 31, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN: Dallas Mavericks
Sunday, August 2, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC: Milwaukee Bucks
Tuesday, August 4, 9 p.m. ET, TNT: Portland Trail Blazers
Thursday, August 6, 9 p.m. ET, TNT: Los Angeles Lakers
Sunday, August 9, 8 p.m. ET, Sacramento Kings
Tuesday, August 11, 2 p.m. ET, NBATV: San Antonio Spurs
Wednesday, August 12, 4 p.m. ET, NBATV: Indiana Pacers
Friday, August 14, TBD: Philadelphia 76ers
Houston Rockets 2019-20 Season Review
On the whole fans, that like offense should gravitate to Rockets games. Oddsmakers have caught on to Houston’s reputation and set extremely high online wagering totals. Houston plays in high scoring games but trends under the total. Nonetheless, the betting public continues to drive that over under price up. It’s a great example of public perception driving a price far above what it should be. On the hardwood, the Rockets subpar defense and terrible rebounding keep them out of top tier status. Houston simply tries to outscore their opponents. While fun to watch it’s a road to early playoff elimination.
Head Coach Mike D’Antoni
Extending the Rockets brand of basketball is head coach Mike D’Antoni. He had a three-year NBA/ABA career with 13 more -seasons in Italy. Following retirement, D’Antoni began coaching in Italy. He made his NBA name as head coach of the Phoenix Suns. Correlate his teams having exhilarating offenses but no defense. After floundering with the Knicks and Lakers, D’Antoni got his career back on track with the Rockets. He has led three NBA teams to the conference finals. But he is yet to beat the NBA lines for a trip to the Finals. Lack of defense why.
Key Houston Rockets Players
Namely, it is scoring machine James Harden that leads the Rockets. Harden was the 2018 NBA Most Valuable Player and an eight-time All-Star. He has won the past two NBA scoring titles and is en route to do so again. Following three lackluster years with Oklahoma City he found a perfect fit in Houston. Harden is averaging 34.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game.
Russell Westbrook was an important new addition for Houston this season. In like manner, he is a nine-time NBA All-Star and 2017 NBA Most Valuable Player. Westbrook was an NBA scoring champion in 2015 and 2017. In sum, he is averaging 27.5 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists per game.
Houston Rockets Restart Betting Outlook
Cause by the abbreviated season and a four-month break is potential for upsets. Still, Houston is not fundamentally sound enough to take seriously as a championship contender.
