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Houston Rockets vs Toronto Raptors NBA Preseason Preview, Predictions and Picks

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On Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, the Houston Rockets are facing off against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. This is Houston’s third preseason game, whereas this is Toronto’s fourth exhibition matchup. BetOnline betting odds are shown down below.

Game Information

Start time: 7 p.m. ET

Location: Scotiabank Arena; Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TV channels: TSN4, Rockets.com, NBA League Pass

Radio broadcast: Unavailable

Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors news

Heading into Monday night’s matchup, the Rockets are 2-1 in the previous three head-to-head meetings versus the Raptors. On Mar. 22, 2021, Houston defeated Toronto 117-99 at home. That was the last time these two teams played one another.

Regarding Houston’s Jae’Sean Tate, he is expected to make his first start tonight. Tate is a 6’4” forward out of Ohio State. He went undrafted in 2018, but the forward ended up signing with the Antwerp Giants in Belgium. Then, Tate signed a deal with the Rockets in 2020. Last season, he averaged 11.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.

Injury Report

For Houston, Eric Gordon is listed as doubtful to play in tonight’s inter-conference matchup. Gordon currently has a day-to-day status due to an ankle injury. In addition to Gordon, John Wall is still not playing. Rockets general manager Rafael Stone is searching for a potential trade partner for Wall. The Clippers were the favorites to trade for the five-time All-Star a couple of weeks ago.

As for Toronto, Pascal Siakim remains out. He is dealing with a shoulder injury. Chris Boucher is also out. Last Monday, head coach Nick Nurse told media reporters that Boucher underwent surgery on his dislocated left middle finger. And, Yuta Watanabe is out tonight because of a calf injury.

Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors betting lines

Over/Under: 222.5

Point spread: Raptors -3 (-110)

Best moneyline: Rockets +125, Raptors -145

Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors preview

On Thursday, in the Rockets’ 113-106 loss against the Heat, guard Jalen Green led the team in scoring, finishing his night with 20 points in 28 minutes played. Plus, forward Christian Wood ended his performance with 13 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 26 minutes on the court.

The Rockets generated 26 points in the fourth quarter, but they also allowed 34 points in the opening quarter. Houston shot 36-for-88 (40.9%) from the field and 11-for-37 (29.7%) from three-point range. Defensively, the Rockets had an off game. They are now 1-1 in the preseason.

Meanwhile, in the Raptors’ 113-111 loss to the Celtics on Saturday, guard Fred VanVleet had a team-high 22 points in 29 minutes played. Forward OG Anunoby accumulated 17 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 29 minutes on the court. Despite Toronto’s 43-point second quarter, they failed to outscore the C’s throughout the rest of the exhibition game.

The Raptors were held to only 16 points in the first quarter. Their two-point defeat says more about the Celtics than it does about the Raptors. Both teams played great. Though, Boston shot 19-for-40 (47.5%) from behind the arc, whereas Toronto finished 16-for-46 (34.8%) from three-point range. They are now 1-2 in preseason games for the 2021-22 NBA season.

Additionally, Houston’s projected starting lineup is PG Jalen Green, SG Kevin Porter Jr., SF Danuel House Jr., PF Christian Wood and C Daniel Theis. For the home team, Toronto’s projected starting lineup is PG Fred VanVleet, SG Goran Dragic, SF Scottie Barnes, PF OG Anunoby and C Precious Achiuwa.

Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors prediction

Moreover, the Rockets scored 106 points in their defeat against the Heat. On the flip side, the Raptors scored 111 points in their loss versus the Celtics. This is a total of 216 points. The Rockets-Raptors total is set at 222.5. Consider taking the under for tonight’s game.

Furthermore, for useful betting trends, Houston is 5-1 ATS in the team’s past six games played. Not to mention, the total has gone over in seven of the team’s previous eight games. The Rockets are also 1-8 straight up in their last nine road games. The betting trends listed above do not include exhibition contests.

As for the Raptors, they are 1-4 ATS in their past five games played. And, the team is 0-7 SU in their last seven games. To add to these statistics, Toronto is 0-5 SU in the team’s previous five games played as well. In summary, contemplate picking the under. The Raptors will likely pull away with a win, too.

Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors betting pick

Pick the Raptors to win at home; the total will go under 222.5. The Raptors are three-point favorites with BetOnline.





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Is Dejounte Murray (back) playing tonight against Celtics?

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Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (lower back soreness) remains questionable for Thursday night’s home game against the Boston Celtics. Murray, 27, has missed just three games overall this season.

The 2022 All-Star was also questionable with back soreness prior to Atlanta’s 120-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. He amassed 30 points, three rebounds, and seven assists in 35 minutes of action.

According to a few NBA betting sites, the Hawks (33-39) hold 10th-best odds to make the Eastern Conference playoffs. Sportsbooks show better odds for the Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) and Chicago Bulls (35-38).

“[Murray]’s efficiency tonight was just terrific,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. “He picked his spots and set people up. He really set the tone for us.”

Through 69 games (all starts) this season, Murray is averaging a career-high 22.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 35.4 minutes per game while shooting a career-best 46.6% from the field and 36.8% from downtown.

“I always try to make the right basketball play, keeping confidence in my guys,” Murray said. “They know I believe in them. I’m always looking to get them the ball and for them to be aggressive taking shots.”

Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray (lower back soreness) is questionable vs. Boston Celtics

Of course, the bigger story ahead of tonight’s matchup with the Celtics is what occurred earlier this week.

The Hawks overcame a 30-point deficit in Monday night’s 120-118 win over Boston, their largest comeback victory in franchise history in the play-by-play era (since at least 1997-98).

Entering the matchup, the largest deficit the Hawks overcame in a win since 1997-98, regardless of opponent, was 27 points vs. Boston on Jan. 25, 2013, according to Elias Sports.

Murray recorded 19 points and a career-high-tying 15 assists against the Celtics. Atlanta also became the first team since 2002-03 to overcome a 30-point deficit against the team with the NBA’s best record.

The last team to come back from 30 or more points down to defeat the team that entered that day with the NBA’s best record was the Los Angeles Lakers (down 30) versus the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 6, 2002.

Furthermore, the Celtics had won 20 of 22 and were on a nine-game winning streak. Boston is now 11-3 in its last 14 meetings with Atlanta and 16-2 in its past 18 matchups with an Eastern Conference opponent.

NBA sportsbooks show the Hawks as 16.5-point underdogs against the C’s. Per ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, Boston holds a 92% chance of defeating Atlanta at State Farm Arena.





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Rockets Win 10th Straight, Eye 1st Playoff Appearance Since 2020

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The Houston Rockets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 132-126 in overtime on Wednesday night for their 10th straight win, as they continue to fight for their first playoff berth since the 2019-20 season.

It’s the second-longest winning streak in the NBA this season, trailing only an 11-game run by the league-leading Boston Celtics. It’s also Houston’s longest win streak since the Rockets won 11 straight in March 2018.

“Oh, it was lit,” Jalen Green said after recording 37 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. “Everybody was happy, celebrating, screaming. We fought for that one. We worked hard. That’s how we should react after going 10-0. We’ll still keep going. We got what, 10 more games left?”

The Rockets (37-35) lucked out playing a dominant Thunder team without star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was downgraded to out on OKC’s injury report due to a quadriceps contusion.

Houston remains only one game behind the No. 10-seeded Golden State Warriors (38-34) for the West’s final play-in spot. The No. 9-seeded Los Angeles Lakers (41-32) hold a 2.5-game lead on the Warriors as well.

“We’re going to get a play-in game,” Green said. “We’re going to keep going.”

Through 72 games (all starts) this season, Green is averaging 19.8 points, a career-high 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 31.6 minutes per game while shooting career bests of 42.7% from the floor and 80.8% at the foul line.

Houston Rockets are 25-19 against Western Conference opponents, still trail Golden State Warriors

However, the Rockets’ No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft has averaged 29.8 points over the 10 games, shooting 51% from the floor and 45.9% from 3-point range.

The team has gone 12-1 in March with Green playing lights out. He could become the first non-All-NBA player since Tobias Harris in November 2018 to win Western Conference Player of the Month.

Furthermore, Houston is 26-11 at home, 11-24 away, 9-5 against Southwest Division opponents, and 25-19 in conference play. The team has also won six straight on the road and six in a row versus West teams.

“I think it’s invaluable for our young guys to go through this,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “And obviously making the playoffs or play-in will be another step, but just going through what they are now and coming on the other side of .500 is huge for them.”

Rookie forward Amen Thompson finished with 25 points and 15 rebounds in Wednesday’s win, the first 25-point, 15-rebound game by a Houston player since Yao Ming in December 2022, per ESPN Stats & Information.

Jabari Smith Jr., 20, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 draft, switched from power forward to center after breakout star Alperen Sengun suffered a Grade 3 right ankle sprain and a bone bruise in his knee against the Sacramento Kings on March 10.

Additionally, the Rockets have finished dead last in the Western Conference the past three seasons.

During the 2020 NBA Playoffs, Houston defeated the Thunder in seven games in their first-round series. Though, the club went on to lose in five games to the Lakers in the conference semifinals.





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Denver’s Michael Porter Jr. defends brother Jontay amid betting investigation

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Toronto’s Jontay Porter has missed his last two NBA games due to “personal reasons,” until insiders revealed on Monday that he was actually being investigated by the league for betting issues. This is why his brother Michael, who stars for the Nuggets, decided to speak out in his sibling’s support this Wednesday evening. The Denver player is convinced he would never do anything to jeopardise his career. 

The investigation is based on multiple instances of betting irregularities over the past months, especially gambling props from games on January 26 and then March 20. An NBA spokesperson then confirmed the news, revealing that the league is “looking into it.”

When asked about it, Porter Jr. explained that he doesn’t know more details than the press does, but guarantees his younger brother is innocent. “Jontay loves the game of basketball. I’ve known my brother my whole life. I know what type of dude he is and I know he’s excited to play basketball, and I highly doubt he would do anything to put that in jeopardy,” he said about the two-way Raptors player.

The six-foot-10 athlete has only started in 5 games this campaign, and is averaging 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26 contests so far. Jontay is yet to publicly addressed his situation, as he patiently waits for a resolution to return to defend the Toronto badge.

It might be obvious, but players and team employees in general aren’t allowed to bet on any NBA events, including prop bets. According to the league officials, participating in gambling are considered violations that could result in fines, suspensions and potential termination of contracts, among other consequences.

Nevertheless, Jontay’s older brother acknowledged that NBA athletes are very much aware on how their performances affect gamblers and these situations are only increasing in the league. “Yeah, especially the last few years you hear people in the crowd saying what they need you to score tonight or what they don’t want you to score.

“Every night you’re disappointing someone. You’re disappointing people if you score too much because they may have bet on the under, and you’re disappointing people if you didn’t score enough. So, it’s a part of the game now,” Michael recognised.

The Nuggets forward admitted that betting is slowly becoming a “dangerous habit” surrounding the NBA world

Despite speaking out in support of his younger sibling, Michael Porter Jr. does recognise that the gambling world is growing closer everyday alongside professional sports and has become a temptation for many athletes. “I think that it’s obviously a dangerous habit. It’s a dangerous vice for people,” he explained.

“You know, the love of money is the root of all evil. So, I think that even though it is a thing, we as players just have to accept that,” the player added. “We get paid a lot of money to play this game, and I know these people, these fans, they want to make some money, as well. It’s definitely something that has kind of taken over the sporting world — I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing.”

As Jontay has now missed the last two games for his club, his coach revealed that he only became aware of the investigation until this past Monday. “I never doubt injuries. I never doubt honesty from players,” Darko Rajaković shared. “Obviously, I’ve never had a situation like this before.”

The Serbian then revealed that he’s yet to discuss this issue with the rest of the locker room. “I don’t know their reaction,” he said. “I just know nobody wants those kind of situations to happen to anybody, to any team. We’ve just got to deal with it.”





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