NBA Betting Preview: A Look at Rockets-Warriors

Houston Rockets at Golden St Warriors, Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
Monday, December 20, 2010, 10:35 pm Eastern, TV: Fox Sports-Houston, Comcast Bay, NBA League Pass
Opening Line: Houston -1 1/2
Current Line: Houston -2
Opening Total: 212
Current Total: 213 1/2
Money Line: Houston -130 / Golden State +110

Luis Scola and the Rockets are 2 point road favorites Monday night in Oakland against the Warriors.

The 12-15 Rockets travel to Oakland to take on the 9-17 Warriors. These teams are going in opposite directions. Houston has won 7 out 10 games played this month, including 4 out of the last 5. Golden St has gone 2-13 in their last 15 games, giving up 109 points a game in that stretch. However, Houston is only 4-11 on the road this season and giving up 108 points a game on the road. The two teams have split two previous meetings this year. Houston has won 10 out of the last 11 meetings against the Warriors straight up, but Golden St won at home October 27 132-128, and Houston won at home November 24 111-101. Houston is 6-3 ATS versus the Warriors in the last 3 years and 5 of the last 9 have gone over the total.

Rockets’ point guard Aaron Brooks missed 21 games with a stress fracture in his ankle. He returned on Sunday and came off the bench in the Rocket’s 102-93 victory at Sacramento on Sunday. Brooks scored 9 points and had one assist in 15 minutes as he builds up stamina and works his way back into the rotation. He is expected to come off the bench for a few more games before starting again. Houston is averaging 105 points a game, and giving up 104 points to their opponents. The Rockets shoot 46% from the field, and 39% from three point range. They make 79 percent of their field goals. Houston averages 41 rebounds a game and 24 assists a game. They turn the ball over 15 times a game. The Rockets also average 7 steals and 5 blocks a game. The offense is led by Kevin Martin and Luis Scola. Martin is averaging 23 points a game. Scola is averaging 20 points and 9 rebounds a game. The offense will only get better as Brooks gets healthy and ready to play.

The Warriors score 101 points a game but give up 106 per game. The Warriors shoot 45% from the field and 39% from 3 point range. They shoot 72% from the free throw line. Golden St averages 42 rebounds and 22 assists a game. They turn the ball over 16 times a game. They do average 10 steals and 4 blocks a game. Monta Ellis leads the Warriors in scoring with just under 25 a game. Point guard Stephen Curry leads the team in assists with 5.6 a game. He is second in scoring with 20 points a game. David Lee leads the team in rebounds with over 10 a game.

The Warriors have struggled so far under first year coach Keith Smart. They are still a young team, and might be a year away from contending for the playoffs. Houston can compete for a lower seed this year but play in a brutal division with San Antonio, Dallas and New Orleans. Both of these teams struggle on defense so there could be a lot of scoring. Houston is on a three game road trip against the 3 California teams who aren’t the Lakers. It could give them confidence and propel them to a playoff run.