The Cleveland Cavaliers (17-15) and Houston Rockets (18-10) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The game will broadcast live on SCHN.
The Rockets are 3.5-point favorites over the Cavaliers on the spread (Rockets -3.5), with the over/under set at 234.5 total points. Houston is a -175 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Cleveland is +145 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Cavaliers vs. Rockets predictions and NBA picks for Saturday, December 27.
Cavaliers vs Rockets Prediction, Picks
- Cavaliers vs Rockets pick: Rockets -3.5 (-115)
My Rockets vs Cavaliers best bet is on Houston to cover the spread, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Cavaliers vs Rockets Odds
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -105 | 234.5 -108o / -112u | +145 |
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -115 | 234.5 -108o / -112u | -175 |
Cavaliers vs Rockets NBA Preview
The Cavaliers and Rockets both had an off day after being featured on the NBA's Christmas Slate.
Cleveland could not hang on to multiple double-digit leads as they fell to the Knicks 126-124. It has been a disappointing start to the year for the Cavs, who had the best record in the Eastern Conference last season, and are currently the seventh seed.
Injuries have been a factor, as Cleveland's All-Star core of Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen has played just five games together this season.
The Cavaliers did get Mobley back on Thursday, and he had 14 points and nine rebounds in 25 minutes.
However, they have slipped eight spots on both sides of the ball and enter tonight's game ninth in offensive rating and 16th in defensive rating.
Meanwhile, the Rockets defeated the Lakers 119-96, snapping a two-game losing streak.
It was their best defensive effort in a couple of weeks as they forced 16 turnovers and held a 48-25 edge on the glass. They looked more like the team that ranks eighth in defensive rating this season.
Houston also ranks third in offensive rating, and the ever-efficient Kevin Durant leads the way. The 15-time All-Star is averaging 25.2 points and five rebounds per game and has designs on yet another 50/40/90 season.
The Rockets return home tonight after a road-heavy schedule with 18 of their first 28 games on the road. They have won their last three at home, but may have to continue that streak without Alperen Sengun, who is questionable with left calf tightness.
If Sengun is out, that will open up more opportunities for Amen Thompson and Tari Eason, while Steven Adams is likely to grab 10+ rebounds.
Cavaliers vs Rockets Prediction, Betting Analysis
Houston may be without Sengun, and he has missed just eight of a possible 110 games over the last year and a half.
If tonight is the ninth, I will still take a chance in fading the Cavaliers, who are just 9-23 against the spread this season and have looked disjointed.
Houston has won each of the last four meetings, and three have been by four points or more, including 114-104 in Cleveland this season.
In that game, Donovan Mitchell was held to 21 points, and he will have to deal with the "Terror Twins" once again. He has scored just 13 and 19 in his last two games in Houston.
In his last four games against Cleveland, Thompson is averaging 17.9 points and 11.8 rebounds. In his last 10 games, he has cleared 25 PR eight times, averaging 27.2 per game.
He is also over in four of his last six games without Sengun, including games with 25 and 31 points.
Meanwhile, Durant has scored 20 points in nine of his last 10 games and in each of his last five against Cleveland.
My final pick is Jabari Smith Jr., who has scored 12 points in nine of his last 10 games and gets this parlay over +400 odds.
Pick: Rockets -3.5 (-115, DraftKings)
Cavaliers vs Rockets Parlay Picks
- Donovan Mitchell Under 27.5 Points
- Kevin Durant 20+ Points
- Amen Thompson Over 24.5 Points + Rebounds
- Jabari Smith Jr. 12+ Points
Parlay Odds: +470 via DraftKings
