With the NBA All-Star weekend over, bettors could have a chance to win money in today’s game with the Charlotte Hornets hosting the Houston Rockets. The Hornets are entering the second half of the NBA season as one of the hottest teams after the All-Star break against a solid Rockets squad. Both teams are entering the second half with solid first halves, and could continue their role with bettors hoping for strong winnings tonight.
The NBA is back from the All-Star break with the Houston Rockets taking on the Charlotte Hornets in tonight’s slate of games. With both teams trying to heat up their playoff pushes, the Rockets are hoping to keep in the Western Conference playoff picture, while the Hornets are hoping to stay in the Eastern Conference play-in standings.
Game Details
Date: February 19
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
TV/Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass
Odds: Houston Rockets -166, HOU -4.5, o/u 216.5
Team Form & Recent Results
Houston Rockets Recent Form
- Houston is coming off a loss to end the first half, winning six of ten games, with a 33-20 record to end the first half of their season.
- The Houston Rockets have been having a strong offensive season, being first in rebounds and offensive rebounds, and 13th in FG%, and having a solid defensive being fifth in defensive rating.
- Houston is playing for a playoff spot, being fourth in the Western Conference, and hopes to climb up the standings for a better seeding.
- Kevin Durant has been having a strong season, scoring 25.8 PTS per game, with 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists.
Charlotte Hornets Recent Form
- The Hornets are coming off the All-Star break with a win and are winners of nine of ten, with a decent home record of 12-14.
- Charlotte’s offense has been a stout unit, with being ninth in offensive ratings, 15th in PPG, and 2nd in 3PT FG.
- The Hornets are ninth in the Eastern Conference, holding onto a play-in spot.
- LaMelo Ball, despite out-of-court flaws, has been having a solid season with scoring 19.3 PTS per game, with 4.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists.
Key Storylines
- Houston does not have any current injuries, while the Hornets have Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate in suspension, with Coby White and Liam McNeeley out with injuries.
- Tosan Evbuomwan will be a GTD for the Hornets for the forward position.
- Houston is trying to keep up with the Western Conference leaders, being in the fourth seed of the standings, and hopes to gain ground.
- Charlotte while being hot, hopes to gain ground on the Eastern Conference play-in seeding, and hopes to gain ground and hope for a playoff spot.
- Las Vegas is favoring the Houston Rockets due to the Hornets’ missing players due to injury and suspension.
Players to Watch
Houston Rockets
- Alperen Sengun
- Sengun has been having a strong season, scoring 20.7 PTS per game, with 9.4 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game.
- The Rockets’ star center in the loss to the Clippers scored 16 points with nine rebounds and six assists.
Charlotte Hornets
- Brandon Miller
- Miller, in the win against the Hawks, scored 31 points, with nine rebounds, and two assists.
- The Hornets star guard has been having a solid year, scoring 20.6 PTS per game, with 3.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds.
Matchup Breakdown
Offense vs. Defense
Houston has been having a strong offensive year, with a great rebounding offense being first in offensive rebounds and being strong in second-chance points. The Rockets’ defense has also been having a solid year, with being ninth in steals and being fifth in defensive rebounds.
While Houston has a solid offense, the Hornets are having a strong year in shooting, being in the middle of the pack in PPG, being 15th in the league, with being second in 3PT FG, and fifth in percentage on them. Charlotte has also been having a decent year with their defense being 17th in defensive rating, but also poorly cares for the ball, being 26th in turnovers.
Coaching / Strategy Notes
For the Houston Rockets to win, they need to stop the Hornets’ three-point attack, with Charlotte having strong shooting outside the perimeter. Houston needs their wings to have a strong guard on the point guards and hope they can miss their shots more, for a strong rebounding game.
For the Hornets to win, they need to outrebound the Rockets, and it could be difficult without Diabate, their best forward. While the Hornets could have PJ Hall be their center in the game, it could be a long game if they don’t fight for the ball against the Rockets and their strong forward core.
Prediction
Prediction: Houston Rockets 110, Charlotte Hornets 100
How to Watch
- TV channel/Local broadcasts: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, Space City Home Network
- Streaming: NBA League Pass
- Radio: SiriusXM
FAQ SECTION
Q: What time is the [Houston Rockets] vs. [Charlotte Hornets] game?
A: [The time for the Houston Rockets and Charlotte Hornets game will be at 7:00 PM.]
Q: Who is favored to win?
A: [The Houston Rockets are the favorites to win due to the roster’s health and suspension in the Hornets’ lineup.]
Q: Where is the game being played?
A: [The will be played at Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC]
Q: What are the betting odds?
A: [(Houston Rockets -166, HOU -4.5, o/u 216.5)]
Conclusion
While the Hornets are coming back to the season on a hot streak, with the suspensions on the team, they could be overwhelmed by the Houston Rockets and their offense in a crucial game for their playoff push. Houston has been playing well in the first half of the season, and could get a win to boost their playoff chances against an undermanned Hornets team.
With the playoffs in two months, the Charlotte Hornets and Houston Rockets are in a sprint, and tonight is a crucial game for them, but the Rockets could beat them in a game in which they will cover against them. With the suspensions to the Hornets stars in Bridges and Diabate, they could face a crushing defeat against the Rockets after the All-Star break.
