NBA Basketball
2010-11-17 - Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Basketball : North America : NBA
Wednesday, November 17th, 2010, 8:00PM US
(1:30AM GMT)
HOUSTON ROCKETS
Another winner last night, with Chicago beating Houston outright, as expected. No rest for Houston here as they travel to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder. But I reckon there is value in the number here. Houston are priced as 7 point underdogs.
The Rockets come into this with a 3-7 record, and that is a miserable start to the season. To add to that, the team have lost Aaron Brooks, their PG, to an ankle injury. There is still talent in the squad but they need to now start doing what they are paid to, otherwise this will become a crisis soon. So why do I see value in this number? Well, let's go to another paragraph for that. Y'know, to pad it out.
Despite losing 7 out of 10 games, they have only lost 1 by more than 7 points. Are Oklahoma really so good they're going to hand Houston their biggest loss of the season? Do they even want to? What's the motivation? The answer to all those questions, is no.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
Again, not sure what the oddsmaker has been smoking but despite the fact that Houston played last night and lose to the Bulls, Oklahoma City should not be laying 7 points when Houston only lost by 2 to the LA Lakers and took San Antonio to OT before falling by 3 points.
The Thunder might race into a lead bigger than the spread, but with Houston fighting, there is always the chance of a backdoor cover here. That threat is magnified when you see the problems Oklahoma City have with the defensive side of things. They are allowing opponents to shoot 48%, which makes them 3rd worst in that respect.
Already told you about how Houston have been beaten only once all season by more than 7 points. Well here's another fun fact: Over the last 7 times Oklahoma City has been favourites, they have covered the spread exactly...never. Yep, take away that opening win over the Bulls, and they are an ATS nightmare, losing as favourites straight up 4 times too!
BETTING VERDICT
Houston have actually won their last 2 road games. In fact, they've actually given every host they've played a pretty tough game. Expect the same again here, in a game that is never over for us until the very end. Houston +7 is my call for this one.
The Pick :
Houston +7
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Houston Rockets +7 @ 1.95 (Pinnacle)
