Houston Rockets vs Toronto Raptors Prediction, Preview and Odds - 04/08/2022

by Amedeus Mastrangelo

Thursday, Apr 07, 2022
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Friday, April 8, 2022
Venue:  Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Where to Watch:  TSN

 

Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Rockets +14, Raptors -14; Over/Under:  229 points
Bet365:  Point Spread:  Rockets +14.5, Raptors -14.5; Over/Under:  229.5 points
BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Rockets +14.5, Raptors -14.5; Over/Under:  229.5 points
 

Season Record

Houston Rockets:  20-60 (5th place, Southwest Division)
Toronto Raptors:  46-33 (3rd place, Atlantic Division)
 
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Houston Rockets vs Toronto Raptors Preview and Analysis

 
Recent Form
Houston Rockets:  3-7 last 10
Toronto Raptors:  7-3 last 10
 
 
 

Houston Rockets Analysis

The Rockets are coming into this game with a 20-60 record overall and they are 9-31 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming into this game on a 5 game losing streak. Their last win was against the Portland Trail Blazers while their 5 losses since then have come against the San Antonio Spurs, the Sacramento Kings twice, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Brooklyn Nets in their last game. Kevin Porter Jr. led the team in points in that game with 36 while Jalen Green was next on the team with 30 points. Alperen Şengün led the team in assists in that game with 5 and he also led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 40.4% from the field, 25.6% from 3-point range, and 56% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 109.6 PPG and their defense is averaging their opponents to average 118.1 PPG against them. The Rockets have an ATS record of 34-44-2 this season and their O/U record is 43-36-1.
 
 

Toronto Raptors Analysis

The Raptors are coming into this game with a 46-33 record overall and they are 22-17 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They have won 6 of their last 7 games and are coming into this one off of a win in their last game. Their last loss was against the Miami Heat while their 6 wins in that span came against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Indiana Pacers, the Boston Celtics, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Orlando Magic, and the Atlanta Hawks in their last game. They still have a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night that needs to be played first so this will be the 2nd leg of a back-to-back for them on Friday night. In their game against the Hawks, Pascal Siakam led the team in points in that game with 31 while Scottie Barnes was next on the team with 19 points. Fred VanVleet led the team in assists in that game with 9 while Scottie Barnes led the team in rebounds with 14. They were 43.6% from the field, 25.7% from 3-point range, and 67.7% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 109.4 PPG and their defense is averaging their opponents to average 106.9 PPG against them. The Raptors have an ATS record of 45-33-1 this season and their O/U record is 39-40.
 
 

 

Rockets vs Raptors Prediction

The Raptors are coming into this game as a 14 point favorite with the current betting odds according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Raptors have been playing very well recently winning 6 of their last 7 games and they have been playing very well at home recently as well. They are going up against a Rockets team that is sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference right now and has lost their last 5 straight games coming into this one. They have not been playing awful in these games and they have actually lost most of them by single digits but the Raptors still have the Bulls on their tail for the 5th place spot and they will be looking to bury the Rockets here. The Raptors have been playing great and they are starting to round into shape for the playoffs. They should use this game as a warm up and should be able to blow by the Rockets here at home. The Raptors should win this game by over 20 points and cover the spread here.
 
Rockets Raptors Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Friday, April 8, 2022 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Raptors 134 Rockets 107.
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NBA Betting Trends

 
Houston Rockets: 10-18 ATS when the total is 220 to 229.5. 15-22 ATS as a road underdog. 14-5 OVER off a road cover where the team lost straight up as an underdog.
Toronto Raptors: 12-3 ATS as a favorite of 10 or more points. 16-7 ATS when the total is 220 to 229.5. 19-12 OVER as a home favorite.
 

Key Injuries

 
Houston Rockets:  C. Wood (PF) Mid April - Hamstring injury. E. Gordon (SG) Mid April - Groin injury. D. Schroder (PG) Mid April - Shoulder injury. J. Wall (PG) Out indefinitely - Holdout.
Toronto Raptors:  Y. Watanabe (SG) Ques Thurs - Quadricep injury. I. Bonga (SG) Ques Thurs - Toe injury. O. Anunoby (SF) Ques Thurs - Thigh injury.
 
 

Notable Quotes

 
"We just didn't make enough 3s. That was basically the game. The 3s and the free throws to me was the game. Making 11 3s out of 43 and 14 for 25 on the line, that is not going to beat a good team and they are a good team." - Stephen Silas on his team’s loss against the Nets on Tuesday night.
 
 
"They found a way to grind out enough wins to get them in this situation. I don't think they were picked to be here, so that's always a good accomplishment." - Nick Nurse on his team’s win against the Hawks on Tuesday night.
 
 

Starting Lineups

 
Houston Rockets
PG     Kevin Porter Jr.
SG     Jalen Green
SF     Garrison Mathews
PF    Jae'Sean Tate
C     Alperen Sengun
 
Toronto Raptors
PG    Fred VanVleet
SG    Gary Trent Jr.
SF    OG Anunoby
PF    Scottie Barnes
C    Pascal Siakam
 

Statistical Leaders

 
Houston Rockets
PPG: C. Wood (17.9)
APG: K. Porter Jr. (6.2)
Reb/G: C. Wood (10.1)
 
Toronto Raptors
PPG: P. Siakam (22.5)
APG: F. VanVleet (6.7)
Reb/G: P. Siakam (8.5)
 
Coaches:
Houston Rockets: Stephen Silas (2nd season)
Toronto Raptors: Nick Nurse (4th season)
 


Amedeus Mastrangelo

About the Author:

Amedeus Mastrangelo has been heavily wagering on all sports for years and plays just about everything, including sides, totals, favorites, underdogs, against the spread, alternative spreads, first half, second half, player props, and futures. The bottom line is, if Mastrangelo can see an edge in any way shape or form, then he's going to take advantage.

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