After wrapping up a five-game homestand with the win, the Houston Rockets hit a gritty part of their schedule, with 13 of their next 17 on the road. There won’t be a softer landing spot than tonight when they visit the NBA-worst Washington Wizards, who are 11.5-point home underdogs.
Our Rockets vs Wizards predictions are sticking to the chalk in this cross-conference mismatch.
Action tips off at 7 p.m. ET from Capital One Arena in Washington, DC, so get your NBA picks in before then.
Rockets vs Wizards prediction
My best bet
Rockets -11.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The Houston Rockets are coming off a nice 119-115 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, salvaging what had otherwise been a dud of a homestand with just their second win at the Toyota Center.
At 10-6 away from home, the Rockets are tied for the second-most road wins in the West and are one of just three in the conference with winning records both home and away.
Their rise to second place in the ultra-competitive West begins with a defense that allows 106.7 points per game, the third-best mark in basketball. They hold opponents to 44.2% shooting from the field (second).
That props up an offense that should be described as passable (112.3 points per game) but ranks 29th in the league in both field goal (44.2%) and 3-point shooting (32.6%).
It shouldn’t be a problem Tuesday, though, against a Washington Wizards side with six wins on the season that just lost a home-and-home set to the Pelicans, the last-placed team in the West. Washington is 28th in defensive rating and is bleeding points, giving up a league-worst 121.8 per game.
Offensively, the Wiz are last in the NBA in offensive rating, scoring just 108.9 points per game.
Houston has won four straight in this head-to-head, including a 107-92 thumping earlier this season.
The Rockets held the Wiz to 40.9% shooting, were +24 in rebounding, and beat them up on the margins, outscoring Washington 23-11 in fast-break points and 60-38 in the paint. It's a big spread, but it could be bigger. Washington is overmatched at every level.
Rockets vs Wizards same-game parlay
Rockets -11.5
Jalen Green Over 22.5 points
Dillon Brooks Over 1.5 assists
Jalen Green is coming off a 33-point outing against the Lakers and he’s averaged 27.3 points on 47% shooting in three games in 2025.
Now, he gets the Wizards, and Green set Washington on fire in a 137-114 thrashing, going for 42 points and 10 boards the last time he was in DC.
We’re looking for a quick win to close this SGP with Dillon Brooks’ makeable 1.5 assists total. The veteran picked up three dimes against the Lakers and has had at least two assists in four of the last seven.
Since joining the Rockets, Brooks has crossed this assist line twice in three tries against the Wiz.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Rockets vs Wizards odds
Rockets vs Wizards live odds
Rockets vs Wizards opening odds
- Spread: Houston -9 (-110) | Washington +9 (-110)
- Moneyline: Houston -400 | Washington +320
- Over/Under: Over 225 (-110) | Under 225 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Rockets vs Wizards spread and Over/Under analysis
- After opening at -9, the Rockets are favored by at least 11.5 points across the board with some books touching 12.
- Wizards +500 is available on the moneyline.
- While the spread and moneyline have moved considerably, the total has remained relatively static at 225 or 225.5 with slight juice to the Under.
Rockets vs Wizards trend
The Under has cashed in five of the last seven head-to-head meetings. Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Wizards.
How to watch Rockets vs Wizards
| Location: | Capital One Arena, Washington, DC |
| Date: | Tuesday, 1-7-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Monumental Sports Network, Space City Home Network |
Rockets vs Wizards latest injuries
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