Rockets vs Nets Picks and Predictions: Houston Hangs Around in BK

The Brooklyn Nets host the Houston Rockets in NBA action on Tuesday night. This game has easily the biggest spread and total on the NBA betting board tonight, with the Nets installed as 17-point home favorites and the Over/Under set at 244.5.

How are we playing such extreme odds? We let you know with our best free Rockets vs. Nets NBA picks and predictions for March 5, with tipoff at 7:30 p.m. ET. 

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Rockets vs Nets odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

This line hit the board with the Nets installed as 18.5-point faves with the Over/Under at 242.5. Early money has come in on Houston and the Over, shortening the line to Nets -17 with the total up to 244.5 or 245 at certain books.

These teams previously met up in December with the Rockets upsetting the Nets 114-104 as 3.5-point home underdogs. Neither Durant nor Irving played in that contest although Brooklyn had James Harden at the time. 

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Rockets vs Nets predictions

• Prediction: Rockets +17 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 245 (-110)
• Best bet: Green Over 24.5 points (-105)

Predictions made on 4/5/2022 at 12:05 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Rockets vs Nets game info

• Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
• Date: Tuesday, April 5, 2022
• Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: YES, SportsNet Southwest

Rockets vs Nets betting preview

Key injuries

Rockets: Christian Wood PF (Out), Eric Gordon SG (Out), Dennis Schroder PG (Out).
Nets: Bruce Brown SG (Probable), Seth Curry SG (Questionable), James Johnson PF (Questionable), Ben Simmons PG (Out), Goran Dragic PG (Out), Joe Harris SG (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Nets are 5-24-1 ATS in their last 30 home games. Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Nets.

Rockets vs Nets picks and predictions

Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.

Spread analysis

The Nets are headed to the play-in tournament but are still regarded as a championship contender as they sit third on the futures board with +700 odds of winning the NBA title. Meanwhile, the Rockets have likely been keeping an eye on March Madness as they are tied for the worst record in the league and will be looking forward to the draft. 

Houston hasn't had many bright spots this season but the play of Christian Wood and the steadying influence of veteran guards Eric Gordon and Dennis Schroder have been positives for a young team. That said, all three of those players are injured and will miss the rest of the season. 

Does that mean the Rockets are essentially mailing it in the rest of the year? Oddsmakers certainly seem to think so but we're not so sure that they'll play that way.

Now, the rotation is filled with young and hungry players, several of whom are fighting to carve out a future in the league. Rookie Jalen Green has been on fire lately, while Kevin Porter Jr is filling up the stat sheet (unfortunately including the turnover column), and 19-year-old center Alperen Sengun is constantly improving.

Brooklyn simply hasn't played up to its vast talent. Even after getting back Kyrie Irving for home tilts, the Nets are just 1-3 straight up and 0-4 ATS in their last four games. Irving and Kevin Durant are filling up the hoop but few others are contributing on that end of the floor and the Nets remain a Bottom-10 team in the league in scoring defense. 

That makes them very tough to trust as 17-point favorites against a scrappy Houston team that will likely keep fighting even if it falls behind. With the Nets just 4-23 ATS in their last 27 games as a home favorite, we're leaning towards on the Rockets with the points. 

Prediction: Rockets +17 (-110 at William Hill)

Over/Under analysis

Houston plays at the second-fastest pace in the league and is second-last in defensive efficiency. That's resulted in the Rockets allowing a league-high 118.1 ppg with that number surging 126.3 ppg in their last three games. They won't be able to stop a high-octane Nets attack led by Irving and Durant. 

That said, if the Nets get up big early, they could choose to give their superstar duo some much-needed rest. Irving has logged 42.5 minutes per game over the last four contests while Durant has averaged 42 and the Nets will need them fresh for the play-in.

The Nets don't have much scoring depth behind those two, especially if Seth Curry sits out with an ongoing ankle injury. 

Keep in mind the Under is 4-1 in Brooklyn's last five games while going 5-1 in Houston's previous six contests against teams with a winning record. On paper, this matchup has all the makings of a high-scoring shootout but with the total set at such a staggering number, we're leaning towards the Under. 

Prediction: Under 245 (-110 at SportsInteraction)

Best bet

While KD and Irving could be given a little a bit of a breather tonight, don't expect the same for Houston's young duo of Green and Porter.

Green has been on a tear, dropping at least 30 points in four-straight games and averaging 29 ppg in his last six. The rookie still isn't the most efficient scorer, but with Wood, Gordon, and Schroder sidelined he's been taking plenty of shots, attempting at least 24 field goals in three of his last four contests.

With that sort of shot volume, we expect him to go Over his points total against a Nets team that doesn't seem to care about defending and has surrendered at least 119 points in four-straight games.

Pick: Jalen Green Over 24.5 points (-105 at BetMGM)

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