The Houston Rockets (1-2) and Toronto Raptors (1-3) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The game will broadcast live on SCHN.
The Rockets are 5.5-point favorites over the Raptors on the spread (Rockets -5.5), with the over/under set at 233 total points. Houston is a -225 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Toronto is +185 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Rockets vs. Raptors predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, October 29.
My Rockets vs Raptors Prediction
- Rockets vs Raptors pick: Jamal Shead Over 3.5 Assists (-118)
My Rockets vs Raptors best bet is on Jamal Shead to go over 3.5 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 Raptors Odds
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -110 | 233 -110o / -110u | -225 |
| Raptors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -110 | 233 -110o / -110u | +185 |
Rockets vs Raptors NBA Preview
Going into the season, I was on the Raptors over in win total, and the Rockets under.
The Rockets got their first win of the year in a blowout against the Nets on Monday. No surprise. They'll clean it up, they'll be fine, and ultimately be one of the better teams in the west.
But Toronto has looked uneasy after their ferocious first effort against Atlanta, with losses to Milwaukee, then an 0-2 trip in Texas against Dallas and San Antonio.
For what it's worth, Toronto is 1-3 against the spread while Houston is 2-1.
On the injury front, Jakob Poeltl is doubtful with a back injury.
Fred VanVleet and Dorian Finney-Smith remain out in Houston.
Rockets vs Raptors Prediction, Betting Analysis
Jamal Shead has 22 assists in four games… off the bench.
The second-year guard — a Brandon Anderson favorite — is over 3.5 assists in all four contests, with four being his floor, which I love, personally. Shead dished out five assists against Atlanta, four against the Bucks, eight in Dallas, and five in San Antonio.
Right now, he's averaging 15.8 assists per 100 possessions, which leads the entire NBA, translating to 12.6 assists per 36 minutes, giving him over an assist per minute while he's on the floor.
He's only at 15.8 minutes per game. Still, his change of pace and floor generalship will be needed to open up Houston's defense, especially given that the Raptors should be looking to create more opportunities on the perimeter — as much as they love to attack the basket — against this long Houston defense.
Pick: Jamal Shead Over 3.5 Assists (-118, Bet Rivers)
Raptors vs Rockets Betting Trends
