The Houston Rockets (5-2) and San Antonio Spurs (5-2) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. The game will broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video.
The Rockets are 4-point favorites over the Spurs on the spread (Rockets -4), with the over/under set at 223.5 total points. Houston is a -165 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while San Antonio is +140 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Rockets vs. Spurs predictions and NBA picks for Friday, November 7.
My Rockets vs Spurs Prediction
- Rockets vs Spurs pick: Rockets -4 (-110)
My Spurs vs Rockets best bet is on Houston to cover the spread, 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 Spurs Odds
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4 -110 | 223.5 -110o / -110u | -165 |
| Spurs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4 -110 | 223.5 -110o / -110u | +140 |
Rockets vs Spurs NBA Preview
The Rockets lost close games to the defending champion Thunder and Pistons to open the season, but have won their last five games since.
An improved offense has led the way as they are up from 12th to first in offensive rating this season. They have scored 120 points or more in five of their first seven games.
Adding Kevin Durant will improve any offense as the future Hall-of-Famer is averaging 24 points and 5.3 rebounds per game on 47/37/87 shooting splits.
He has a good matchup tonight as the Spurs allow 29.6% of their opponents' field goal attempts on pull-ups, the highest frequency in the league.
The team's young core of Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason has been productive as they are each averaging above 12 points per game.
After making the All-Star team last year, Sengun is making an early push for an All-NBA slot this season as he is averaging 22.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 7.3 assists (career-high) per game.
He has continued to expand his range as he is shooting a career-best 42.9% from three to begin this season.
Thompson is averaging 24 points, eight rebounds, and 6.3 assists over his last three games. He’s still anchoring the defense, helping the Rockets rank sixth in defensive rating.
Meanwhile, the Spurs are back home after losing both games on their road trip to the Suns and Lakers.
As a related note, Wembanyama struggled in both games, averaging 14 points, five fouls, and 5.5 turnovers while failing to record a double-double in either game.
He averaged 19.3 points, 11 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks against Houston last season, so I would not expect the struggles to continue for long.
They played their last game without Dylan Harper and De'Aaron Fox remains out as well.
However, Jeremy Sochan did make his season debut against the Lakers and scored 16 points. He listed as questionable tonight with a wrist injury.
One player to keep an eye on is Julian Champagnie, who scored a season-high 14 points against the Lakers.
Now, he gets a Rockets team that has the third highest Catch and Shoot Shot Frequency Allowed.
Rockets vs Spurs Prediction, Betting Analysis
Last season, the Spurs won the first meeting, but the Rockets took the final three in the series.
The Rockets have won eight of the last 10 meetings and seven of them have been by five points or more.
Tonight's game will be intense as both are playing their first NBA Cup game this season, but I have to back the Rockets in this spot.
They should be motivated, having lost in the NBA Cup Championship game last season.
Now, they have an improving offense led by Durant while the Spurs are a bit shorthanded right now.
As for tonight's parlay, I like Durant for 25 points, which he has cleared in four of his first seven games with his new team.
Thompson has filled up the stat sheet of late with 30+ PRA in each of his last four games.
He has played 39 minutes in three of those games as well. Setting up both of them may just be Sengun, who is leading the team in assists. He has recorded six assists in all seven games this season.
I am closing out this parlay with Champagnie, who has made two 3-pointers just twice so far, going 3-for-8 on Wednesday.
However, the Rockets are allowing the fourth-most 3-point attempts and the eighth-most makes.
If he gets up eight attempts as he did on Wednesday, I like his chances of making at least two.
Pick: Rockets -4 (-110, bet365)
Rockets vs Spurs Parlay Picks
- Kevin Durant 25+ Points
- Amen Thompson 30+ Points, Rebounds, and Assists
- Alperen Sengun 6+ Assists
- Julian Champagnie 2+ Three-Pointers Made
Parlay Odds: +700 via bet365
Spurs vs Rockets Betting Trends
