The Houston Rockets (20-10) and Brooklyn Nets (10-20) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m. EST from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The game will broadcast live on YES.
The Rockets are 11-point favorites over the Nets on the spread (Rockets -11), with the over/under set at 219.5 total points. Houston is a -500 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Brooklyn is +390 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Rockets vs. Nets predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, January 1.
My Rockets vs Nets Prediction
- Rockets vs Nets pick: Under 219.5 (-110)
My Nets vs Rockets best bet is Under 219.5 total points in this game, with the best price currently available at bet365. But as always, make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Rockets vs Nets Odds
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-11 -110 | 219.5 -110o / -110u | -500 |
| Nets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+11 -110 | 219.5 -110o / -110u | +390 |
Rockets vs Nets NBA Preview
Our Bet Labs "Reverse Line Movement Unders" system recommends going with the under in this New Year's Day game.
The Rockets and Nets don't have many similarities. Houston is among the top Western Conference teams with high playoff expectations, while Brooklyn is near the bottom of the Eastern Conference without much hope.
However, their defenses are among the top 10 in the NBA, with the Rockets ranking third with 112.0 points allowed per game and the Nets sitting at ninth with 113.9.
Four of the past five matchups between these teams have produced a total score of 213 points or lower.
Also, Houston could miss up to four players, all listed as questionable for today: Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams, Clint Capela and Tari Eason.
Rockets vs Nets Prediction, Betting Analysis
This system targets NBA regular-season games where betting action and market movement are misaligned.
When a majority of wagers lean heavily toward the Over, yet the total drops from open to close, it signals sharp money driving the line down despite public sentiment.
In these spots, both teams often come off recent games that exceeded expectations offensively, inflating totals and public confidence in high-scoring outcomes.
However, regression and defensive adjustments tend to follow, especially when oddsmakers shade lines higher to match demand.
This setup creates ideal conditions for value on the Under, as professional bettors anticipate a slower pace, shooting variance, or fatigue leading to lower scoring than the market expects.
Pick: Under 219.5 (-110, bet365)
Nets vs Rockets Betting Trends
