On Tuesday 3/25, the Houston Rockets (46-26) will host the Atlanta Hawks(35-36) in an inter-conference Regular-Season match-up. The Rockets have once again risen to the second spot in the West while the Hawks are standing firm at the seventh spot in the East. Will the surging Rockets take care of business against tricky Hawks? Go through the preview, total predictions, and player props here.
Rockets: Best time to pick their slack
The Houston Rockets will come into this match after an unprecedented 5-point loss against the Nikola Jokic-less Denver Nuggets. The loss broke a 9-game losing streak, but do note that all the victories were against teams with losing records. They have a relatively easy 3-game schedule remaining but will face a tough slate to close out the season.
Their biggest strength has been rebounding, as they have grabbed a league-leading 48.6 rebounds per game(1st in offensive rebounds with 14.8 ORPG). However, their offense has been wonky at times since their leading scorers Jalen Green and Alperen Segun can be on-and-off. The team has also struggled from the free-throw line, shooting a league-worst 73.8% from the stripe.
Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Fred Van Vleet | SG: Jalen Green | SF: Dillon Brooks | SF/PF: Amen Thompson | C: Alperen Sengun
Key Injuries/Updates: Reed Sheppard can be OUT till the end of the Regular Season.
Hawks: Brilliant in parts, but prone to slumps
The Atlanta Hawks will enter the affair after an imposing 13-point win against the Philadelphia 76ers behind a 28-point and 12-assist outburst by Trae Young. It was their third-straight win, and they are 8-3 in March. The Hawks have had such peaks in the last three years, only for them to hit a lengthy losing spell. Their offense is top-notch, accumulating 117.6 points per game(5th) but their defense has been a disappointment again.
Atlanta has given up 119.3 PPG(5th worst), allowing teams to dominate them both from the perimeter and outside. The backcourt of Young and Dyson Daniels has been stellar. However, the team lacks a strong frontline in the absence of Jalen Johnson. Overall, the Hawks can give some hiccups to even elite squads but their ceiling is most likely a first-round exit.
Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Trae Young | SG: Dyson Daniels | SF/PF: Zaccharie Risacher | SF/PF: Mouhamed Gueye | C: Onyeka Okongwe
Key Injuries/Updates: Larry Nance Jr. and Clint Capela are OUT long-term. Jalen Johnson is OUT for the game.
The Rockets prefer a slow-paced style, with the score figuring in 200s/210s. Meanwhile, the Hawks-based game regularly goes past 250, as it is a full-blown shootout. The Rockets have a much better defense but can be forced to play an uptempo game here instead of working elaborate sets that slow down the play. I believe the overall total will most likely be in the 220s again.
Alperen Sengun to dish over 6.5 assists: The Rockets center has delivered 5.5 assists per game in March, handing out 5+ assists on five occasions. I believe he will be in the 7-9 assists range here.
Dillon Brooks to knock down over 3.5 triples: The Rockets Wing has 2.5 threes per game this season and has converted 2.8 made threes this month. He can nail 4-5 triples in this match.
Trae Young to be held under 23.5 points: The Hawks PG has tallied 26.2 PPG in March, scoring 25+ in most games. However, I expect the Rockets to hold him under 22 points here.
Onyeka Okongwu to grab over 11.5 rebounds: The Hawks big man has nabbed 11 RPG in March, grabbing 11+ rebounds in five games. He can make it six here this month.
The Rockets play a much more physical brand of ball than the Hawks but Atlanta is genius at forcing teams to abandon the natural style and engage in high-scoring galore. Houston is usually uncomfortable with such a situation but the recent winning spell has emboldened their scoring. I expect the home team to lock in here and slow down the Hawks in late-game situations. I believe they will win by at least 8 points.
Safe Spread Pick: Rockets -9.5 for +110 at BetMGM
Photo Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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