The Houston Rockets (9-3) and Cleveland Cavaliers (10-5) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. EST from Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The game will broadcast live on ESPN.
The Rockets are 1.5-point favorites over the Cavaliers on the spread (Rockets -1.5), with the over/under set at 234.5 total points. Houston is a -125 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Cleveland is +105 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Rockets vs. Cavaliers predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, November 19.
My Rockets vs Cavaliers Prediction
- Rockets vs Cavaliers pick: Donovan Mitchell Over 9.5 Rebounds + Assists (-120)
My Cavaliers vs Rockets best bet is on Donovan Mitchell Over 9.5 Rebounds + Assists, 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 Cavaliers Odds
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -110 | 234.5 -110o / -110u | -125 |
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -110 | 234.5 -110o / -110u | +105 |
Rockets vs Cavaliers NBA Preview
On Sunday night, the Rockets defeated the Magic 117-113 in overtime.
All-Stars Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün combined for 65 points, while Şengün added 12 rebounds and eight assists. He has recorded at least six assists in every game this season.
Though they were able to secure the win in Sunday's battle, the Rockets likely did not mind having two days off before tonight's tilt in Cleveland. They enter tonight's game having won four straight and nine of their last 10 games.
Over those 10 games, Houston leads the league in points per game and offensive rating while ranking second in net rating behind Oklahoma City.
More shooting on the floor this season has certainly helped. While Houston is attempting the fewest 3s per game (30.3), it leads the league in 3-point percentage (42.6%).
Reed Shepard, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, is already showing signs of the shooter he was projected to be coming out of Kentucky. He is shooting 47.8% from three on 5.8 attempts per game.
One interesting matchup tonight will be whether Amen Thompson draws the assignment of Donovan Mitchell.
Thompson was an All-Defensive First Team selection last season, while Mitchell was All-NBA First Team.
Mitchell is averaging 30.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game this season.
On Monday night, he had 37 points, five rebounds, and seven assists, giving him 30-5-5 in three consecutive games for the first time in his career.
He helped the Cavaliers defeat the Bucks 118-106 as they pulled away in the second half.
Cleveland improved to 6-2 at home and has won seven of its last games overall, setting up tonight's matchup between NBA Finals contenders.
Cleveland is a rare home underdog tonight.
If the Rockets close as road favorites, it will be just the second time Cleveland has been a home underdog since the start of last season, and it did not cover in that instance.
Tonight, it will once again be without Darius Garland and Jaylon Tyson, while Sam Merrill is questionable. Jabari Smith Jr. is questionable for the Rockets.
Rockets vs Cavaliers Prediction, Betting Analysis
Following Monday's win, Mitchell said he wanted to be more of a factor on the glass. He has now recorded at least four rebounds in eight of his past nine games.
With Garland out, he has slid over to Cleveland's starting point guard, and he has had at least five assists in 11 of 14 games this season.
As a result, he has recorded 10 RA in eight of his last nine games. He also had four rebounds and seven assists in his last game against the Rockets.
Şengün may lead the Rockets in assists tonight again, but he had only three assists in his last game against the Cavaliers.
He has scored 24 and 26 points in two of the last three meetings.
He has also scored 18 points in nine of 12 games this season, which has helped him reach 26 PA in nine of those games as well.
Lastly, I like Reed Sheppard for nine points, which he could clear with three triples.
He has made at least two in 10 of his 12 games this season, but we also benefit from a free throw or layup by taking his points instead.
Pick: Donovan Mitchell Over 9.5 Rebounds + Assists (-120)
Rockets vs Cavaliers Parlay Picks
- Donovan Mitchell Over 9.5 Rebounds + Assists
- Alperen Sengun 26+ Points + Assists
- Reed Sheppard 9+ Points
Parlay Odds: +195 via Fanatics
Spread
No play for me on the spread.
Moneyline
No play on the moneyline.
Over/Under
No total pick for me tonight.
