526 Rockets (-3.5) over Wizards
The Rockets have had to deal with a lot so soon into this season with trading their top 2 stars from last year after getting a new coach and general manager and trying to spend a few games to convince James Harden to stay and play with all the new talent they brought in with DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall and Christian Wood (who’s doubtful dealing with a ankle sprain). They’ve also had to deal with injuries and players having to miss games because of COVID contact tracing but they’re still playing respectable and getting some key guys back for this matchup. This should be John Wall’s and Victor Oldapio’s first game together while Danuel House is expected to return to the lineup and DeMarcus Cousins is coming off his best game of the season against the Mavs when he went for 28 points 17 rebounds and 5 assists while shooting 60% from the field. The Rockets have also improved on the defensive end ranking 12th in defensive rating and 7th in effective field goal percentage allowed.
The Wizards were my pick to be the most disappointing team so far this year on the betting predators NBA podcast. Bradley Beal is having another career year in scoring and Russell Westbrook is averaging 10 assists and 9 rebounds but he’s having his worst scoring year of his career so far and he’s dealing with injuries that effected his play in the playoffs last year. Also the Wizards have one of the worst defenses in the league ranking 29th in defensive rating, 29th in effective field goal percentage allowed and sending their opponents to the free throw line the most out of any team this year. The Wizards will also be without 5 key players from their regular rotation with their starting center Thomas Bryant out for the year with a ACL injury and he was having a great season on both ends.
The Rockets are the healthier team and the better team. This is a very short line and I see a lot of value on the Rockets as I have the line set at 8.