By Mark Strotman | | 2 mins
Houston Rockets Odds, Betting Guide & Picks for 2019-20
Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey isn’t afraid to shake things up, and that’s exactly what he did dealing Chris Paul and a handful of draft picks to the Thunder for Russell Westbrook. James Harden, Clint Capela and Westbrook form a dynamic trio with an excellent supporting cast that will have the Rockets playing late into May. They’re every bit a title contender.
Here’s the key odds available and how you should bet them:
Rockets Win-Total Betting
The Line: 52.5 with SugarHouse
It’s tough to say how long it will take Harden and Westbrook to acclimate to each other. Westbrook isn’t exactly a great fit in the Houston offense, so it could be a bumpy road to begin the season. For that reason, we’ll say they take a few steps back in the regular season from last year’s 53-win campaign.
The Bet: Back the under.
Rockets Southwest Division Odds
The Line: -250 with DraftKings
The Bucks are the only team with shorter odds to win their division than the Rockets, who should roll in the Southwest. The Spurs are no longer a powerhouse, and the Mavericks and Pelicans both have bright futures but won’t threaten the Rockets in the division.
The Bet: This one is a lock, and the odds provide solid value.
Rockets Western Conference Odds
The Line: +550 with FanDuel
Any team with Harden is going to have a chance. The Rockets have shown they can get there with a West Finals appearance in 2018, but it’s going to take more. They can contend with any team given their 3-point shooting prowess, but asking for them to do it over a seven-game series is difficult.
The Bet: On potential alone, this is worth betting. But they need help.
Rockets NBA Title Odds
The Line: +800 with 888sport
The Rockets’ regular-season strategy hasn’t translated to the postseason. Yet. Still, adding Westbrook to the fold doesn’t instill much confidence in this team being able to get over the hump.
The Bet: It’s tough to consider them a threat to the Los Angeles squads at this point. Avoid this one.
Best Rockets Player Prop Bets
The Line: James Harden MVP +700 with PointsBet
Harden isn’t underrated, but it seems to fly under the radar that he finished 2nd, 1st and 2nd in the MVP voting the last three seasons. He hasn’t just been good; he’s been historically great. And if the Lakers’ and Clippers’ duos cancel out each other’s votes, it could open the door for Harden to win again.
The Bet: For a player with that track record entering his prime, those odds are outstanding value.
