Orlando @ Houston picks

Goga Bitadze has sunk a whopping 3.3 field goals per game this season, significantly higher than his 2.0 rate last season. The Magic are expected to get a boost in plays in this game from squaring off against the 9th-fastest pace home team in the league over the last 5 games (the Rockets). As a team, the Orlando Magic have been terrific at getting to the charity stripe in recent games: best in the NBA over the last 20 games, totaling 25.8 foul shot attempts per game.

Fred VanVleet has made 3.2 threes per game over the last 10 games, 0.6 higher than he's converted from three in all games this season. Fred VanVleet has been on the court for 34.4 minutes per game while at home this year, putting him in the 92nd percentile -- some of the highest playing time of any player in the league. The Houston Rockets have played at the 9th-quickest pace in the NBA over the last 5 games as the home team. The Rockets have been the best offensive rebounding offense in the league this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore produce new chances for scoring and assists). Fred VanVleet has successfully made 100.0% of his foul shots over the last 5 games, 19.1% more than he's put through the net overall this season.

Out of all players in the league, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope comes in at the 80th percentile for playing time, tallying a monstrous 30.4 minutes per game while playing away from home this year. The Magic are expected to get a boost in plays in this game from squaring off against the 9th-fastest pace home team in the league over the last 5 games (the Rockets).

Out of all players in the league, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope comes in at the 80th percentile for playing time, tallying a monstrous 30.4 minutes per game while playing away from home this year. The Magic are expected to get a boost in plays in this game from squaring off against the 9th-fastest pace home team in the league over the last 5 games (the Rockets). Out of all players in the NBA, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope registers in the 88th percentile for free-throw performance while on the road with an excellent 89.6% rate this year. As a team, the Orlando Magic have been terrific at getting to the charity stripe in recent games: best in the NBA over the last 20 games, totaling 25.8 foul shot attempts per game. The matchup against Houston may be a good one for drawing fouls; opposing starting SGs have attempted a massive 4.4 free throws per game over the last 5 games when the Houston Rockets are at home (4th-most in the league).

Wendell Carter Jr. has committed 4.4 personal fouls per game over the last 5 games, 1.5 higher than he's committed in all games this year. The Magic have played at the most sluggish tempo in the NBA away from their home court this year. The Magic rank as the 7th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the NBA over the last 5 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore eliminate further opportunities for scoring and assists). Wendell Carter Jr. should suffer a drop-off in effectiveness across the board in light of playing away from home in this contest.

Tari Eason has posted 7.6 rebounds per game over the last 12 games while playing at home, 1.7 more than he's posted in all games this season at home. Tari Eason has averaged 28.9 minutes per game over the last 10 games, 4.3 higher than he's averaged overall this season. The Houston Rockets have played at the 9th-quickest pace in the NBA over the last 5 games as the home team. The Rockets have been the best offensive rebounding offense in the league this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession and can therefore produce new chances for scoring and assists). Tari Eason will have the benefit of the home court advantage in this game. Playing in your home stadium usually boosts player performance across the board.