The Houston Rockets (9-3) face the Cleveland Cavaliers (10-5) in Rocket Arena Wednesday. Tip-off from Cleveland, Ohio, is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Rockets vs. Cavaliers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2024-25 season series: Houston won 2-0
Houston escaped with a 117-113 OT win over the Orlando Magic Sunday, failing to cover as a 7.5-point home favorite as the Over (223) hit. F Kevin Durant and C Alperen Sengun led the way as KD scored 35 points and Sengun added on a 30-point, 12-rebound double-double. The Rockets grabbed 60 boards and finished with 58 points in the paint Sunday.
Cleveland beat the Milwaukee Bucks 116-108 Monday to cover as a 6-point home favorite with the Under (234.5) cashing. G Donovan Mitchell scored 37 points in just 36 minutes and 5 other Rockets finished in double figures in the win. F Giannis Antetokounmpo left with an injury in the second quarter. ESPN reported he will miss 1-2 weeks with a low-grade left groin strain.
Rockets at Cavaliers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:57 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Rockets -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Cavaliers +100 (bet $100 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Rockets -1.5 (-110) | Cavaliers +1.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 233.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Rockets at Cavaliers key injuries
Rockets
F Tari Eason (oblique) outF Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) outF Jabari Smith Jr. (knee) questionableG Fred VanVleet (knee) out
Cavaliers
G Darius Garland (toe) outG Sam Merrill (hand) questionableF Max Strus (foot) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Rockets at Cavaliers picks and predictionsPrediction
Rockets 116, Cavaliers 111
BET ROCKETS (-120).
With Garland out, look for a lot of offensive creation to die and for a much larger burden to be thrust on Mitchell’s shoulders. Unfortunately for the Cavs, the Rockets have a plethora of elite defenders to throw at Mitchell while also having very good backline help, so Cleveland will feel a lot of offensive frustrations here.
Houston is top 6 in defensive rating while also having the best offense in the league both in terms of offensive rating and points per game, so the Rockets are a safe bet here.
PASS.
Even without Garland, the Cavs are a very talented team that can beat any team in the league on any given night, so betting against them to cover while also betting against them on the ML just isn’t worth the risk. Of course, if you like Houston, you could lay the small spread for a a little better price.
UNDER 233.5 (-115).
Houston’s defense should have a lot of success stopping Cleveland. With Garland gone, look for this Rockets team that shockingly doesn’t generate many turnovers (25th at 13.7 per game) to force the Cavs to cough up the ball. Houston’s offense is the best in the league (124.8 PPG), but look for the Rockets to struggle a bit against Cleveland’s twin towers who will muddy up the paint quite a bit.
Obviously with so many star players in this matchup, anyone could go for 50 and push this game to the Over, so tread lightly.
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