The Houston Rockets currently sit as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, yet they remain somewhat overlooked in discussions regarding potential NBA champions. Tonight, they are set to face off against the Orlando Magic, a team familiar with struggling under high expectations.
Fresh off a successful road trip on the West Coast, the Magic will host a Rockets team powered by significant talent. A key player to watch in this matchup is Alperen Sengun, who is expected to deliver another impressive performance amid a challenging season for Houston. In light of injuries to key players such as Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet, the spotlight is firmly on Sengun, who has excelled in recent games, including a strong triple-double against the Kings.
The recommended betting angle for this matchup suggests placing a bet on Sengun to achieve over 15.5 rebounds and assists, a target he has surpassed in recent contests. Notably, his previous encounter with the Magic in November saw him post an outstanding 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Alongside Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. has also been making headlines, recently hitting notable scoring benchmarks. His performance will be crucial for the Rockets, especially considering their previous success against the Magic, winning four straight games in their recent matchups.
Players like Tari Eason and Anthony Black may also play critical roles in the game, with Eason providing depth and rebounding on the Rockets’ side and Black operating effectively on defense for the Magic.
The Rockets are favored to win with a spread of -3 and have shown strong recent form, covering in their last three outings. Fans can catch the action starting at 7:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video, as both teams will seek to capitalize on their current trajectories and deliver an entertaining contest.