Up to NBA Free Picks

in NBA Free Picks

Rockets vs Pistons Game Analysis and Pick

Bookmark and Share by Aaron Torres

Two playoff regulars who are on the outside looking in right now, will do battle in Sunday night’s NBA betting odds, with each desperate for a win. That’s when the Detroit Pistons host the Houston Rockets.

Houston Rockets (30-30 SU, 27-33 ATS) at Detroit Pistons (21-40 SU, 25-33-3 ATS)

Sunday, March 7: 6:00 p.m.


Here are some NBA Betting Trends which may impact this game:

  • Houston: 2-3 ATS in their last 5 games
  • Houston: 2-3 SU in their last 5 games

  • Detroit: 1-4 SU in their last 5 games
  • Detroit: Total has gone UNDER in 3 of their last 5 games

Detroit comes into this game with the fourth worst record in the Eastern Conference, just a few short years after dominating the league. The biggest problem for them this season has been an anemic offense which puts up just 92 points per game. That ranks 29th in the NBA, out of 30 teams.

Gone from the Pistons are the players who made the biggest impact on their championship level teams, including Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace. And in their place are a group of role players and unproven youngsters, trying to win NBA games. Right now it just isn’t working.

One player who hasn’t lost much of a step is veteran shooting guard Richard Hamilton. Hamilton, now 32, is still one of the top pure scorers in the NBA, as he averages a team high 18.7 points a game. Rodney Stuckey and Ben Gordon join Hamilton in the backcourt, and contribute 31 points a game.

As for Houston, it hasn’t been an easy season, as superstar center Yao Ming has been out since day one, and the Rockets had to trade veteran Tracy McGrady at the deadline. However, they do believe they’ve gotten a player who can help them make a late postseason run.

That’d be guard Kevin Martin who was acquired from Sacramento. Martin, like Hamilton is a pure scorer in every sense of the word, and has been great in his seven games in a Houston uniform, already scoring 30+ points twice. The Rockets are just 2-5 with him in the lineup however, a mark that will have to improve if they’re to make a playoff run.

But while Houston still has their work to do out West, they should be able to do enough to get a win Sunday evening in Detroit.

The Rockets score well enough (101 points a game) and defend moderately well, giving them a good chance against the Pistons. Because the truth is, as well as Detroit plays defense, they just don’t score enough points to beat good teams.

Which is why Houston should be your play Sunday night. They are talented and balanced, and play well on offense and defense. While they aren’t spectacular in any specific area, they’re good enough to cover the betting odds Sunday. Which is exactly what they’ll do.