The Houston Rockets (33-20) and Charlotte Hornets (26-29) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The game will broadcast live on SCHN.
The Rockets are 4.5-point favorites over the Hornets on the spread (Rockets -4.5), with the over/under set at 216.5 total points. Houston is a -185 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Charlotte is +155 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Rockets vs. Hornets predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, February 19.
Rockets vs Hornets Prediction, Picks
- Rockets vs Hornets picks: Alperen Sengun Over 14.5 Rebounds + Assists (-112), Ryan Kalkbrenner Over 5.5 Rebounds (-135)
My Rockets vs Hornets best bets are on Alperen Sengun over 14.5 rebounds + assists and Ryan Kalkbrenner over 5.5 rebounds. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Rockets vs Hornets Odds
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -105 | 216.5 -110o / -110u | -185 |
| Hornets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -115 | 216.5 -110o / -110u | +155 |
Rockets vs Hornets NBA Preview
The Hornets are still dealing with some suspensions in the aftermath of their fight with the Pistons last week, so they'll be short-handed for this one.
Additionally, this is a possible revenge-spot for the Rockets, who lost 109-99 at home to Charlotte on February 5, just two weeks ago.
Based on the injury report, we could get a different outcome tonight.
Miles Bridges (suspension) and Moussa Diabate (suspension) are both going to remain out for the Hornets beyond tonight's game.
Moreover, the recently acquired Coby White (calf) is still out for Charlotte, and rookie Liam McNeeley (ankle) is out, as well.
Steven Adams (shoulder) and Fred VanVleet (ACL) both remain out for the Rockets with season-ending injuries.
Rockets vs Hornets Predictions, Betting Analysis
Ryan Kalkbrenner Over 5.5 Rebounds
There are a lot of angles to look at this from with Bridges and Diabate out.
This leaves the Hornets thin on the frontline, with only one real center in Ryan Kalkbrenner, although we expect Grant Williams and two-way PJ Hall to fill in on the interior.
However, in the absence of Diabate and Bridges, the Hornets are losing their two best rebounders (in terms of counting, raw numbers) who combine for nearly 15 boards per game this season.
Kalkbrenner should get the nod at center, and he has recorded six or more boards in three games without Diabate this season.
I like him over 5.5 for this game given the opportunity, even if he tops out around 24-25 minutes, which is where he was even without Diabate.
Alperen Sengun Over 14.5 Rebounds + Assists
I also like Alperen Sengun over 14.5 rebounds + assists in this game.
Sengun landed at exactly 14 last game against Charlotte, although Diabate also had 12 boards in that game, and his absence — as well as Bridges' — should offer even more chances for the Turkish-born All-Star.
Sengun has cleared 14.5 RA in 12 of his last 17 games.
Rockets vs Hornets Best Bets
- Alperen Sengun Over 14.5 Rebounds + Assists (-112)
- Ryan Kalkbrenner Over 5.5 Rebounds (-135)
Spread
I'm not betting either side of the spread in this game.
Moneyline
No play on the moneyline as well.
Over/Under
My Hornets vs Rockets betting predictions are on a pair of player prop overs targeting Alperen Sengun and Ryan Kalkbrenner.
Hornets vs Rockets Betting Trends
