The Houston Rockets (5-2) and San Antonio Spurs (5-2) meet in an NBA Cup battle Friday. Tip-off from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (Prime Video). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Rockets vs. Spurs odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2024-25 season series: Houston won 3-1
Houston dominated the Memphis Grizzlies 124-109 Wednesday while covering as a 7.5-point favorite as the Over (232.5) hit. The Rockets grabbed 54 rebounds, 36 of them coming from just 3 players, while also having 7 players score in double figures. The Rockets have won 5 straight and have held opponents to under 110 points in 4 of those wins.
San Antonio suffered its second-straight loss in a 118-116 battle against the LA Lakers Wednesday while failing to cover as a 2-point favorite as the Over (227.5) cashed. Victor Wembanyama had another disappointing performance, finishing with just 19 points on 5-of-14 shooting with 5 turnovers while also fouling out. No Spurs player hit 20 points while Lakers G Luka Doncic went off for a near triple-double (35 points, 9 rebounds, 13 assists).
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Rockets at Spurs odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:01 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rockets -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Spurs +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rockets -3.5 (-110) | Spurs +3.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Rockets at Spurs key injuries
Rockets
- C Steven Adams (hip) out
- F Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) out
- G Fred VanVleet (knee) out
Spurs
- G De’Aaron Fox (hamstring) out
- G Dylan Harper (calf) out
- C Luke Kornet (ankle) out
- C Kelly Olynyk (heel) questionable
- F Jeremy Sochan (wrist) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Rockets at Spurs picks and predictions
Prediction
Rockets 111, Spurs 106
PASS.
I slightly lean toward the Rockets to pick up the win and cover here as -160 favorites, but they are not worth the risk of betting on given that they are going against F Victor Wembanyama and a good Spurs team. Pass here and bet on the spread and/or total instead.
BET ROCKETS -3.5 (-110).
San Antonio is missing 2 key ball handlers for this matchup, so look for Houston to double every time Wemby catches the ball with the goal of keeping the ball out of his hands or forcing him to think and getting turnovers off of his passes. With 2 key guards out, Wemby will have a hard time finding enough help to keep this a 1-possession game.
The Rockets are also 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games while San Antonio has dropped back-to-back games ATS.
LEAN UNDER 223.5 (-110).
Both squads have top 6 defensive ratings and are top 5 in scoring defense. Furthermore, Houston is one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the league, and while Wemby will nullify some of that, look for those offensive rebounds to be key in slowing this game down and keeping this game Under.
There is a lot of star power in this game and there is always a risk taking the Under in a game like this as any of these stars could go off for 50 at anytime, so bet carefully here.
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