Rockets vs Spurs Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips – NBA 24 October

The Houston Rockets take on the San Antonio Spurs at the Moody Center in Austin, with tip-off at 2:30pm NZT on Saturday 24 October. It’s a Spurs home game played away from San Antonio, and they need a result.

Last season’s beaten finalists dropped their opener 116-104 to the Thunder, while Houston thumped Dallas by 18. I think this is where the Spurs hit back.

Odds from Betovo, correct at 10am NZT, 23 October. Subject to change.

Houston Rockets

Last 4 (incl. preseason): W-L-W-W · Record: 1-0 · ATS: 1-0

I didn’t think Houston would be so sharp so early. They outscored Dallas 38-12 in the second quarter, and Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. finished with 30 points each.

Fred VanVleet is their big change from last season. He handed out 11 assists without a turnover in his first game back from a torn ACL, and the Rockets ran up 29 fast-break points. Their bench is less settled though, with Steven Adams nursing a calf problem.

San Antonio Spurs

Last 5 (incl. preseason): L-L-W-W-L · Record: 0-1 · ATS: 0-1

Victor Wembanyama went 1-for-13 from the field against OKC, and I’d be surprised if that happens twice in a row. He still grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked six shots.

Their shooting was the bigger worry, with only 10 of 37 threes going in. Stephon Castle scored 24 and Dylan Harper added 18, so the young guards look fine. San Antonio have had two days off since the opener, while Houston have had one.

(1) Adams was ruled out of the opener with right calf tightness. He’s listed as day to day, and the Rockets should confirm his status closer to tip-off.
(2) Harris strained his left calf in training camp and has missed the preseason and the opener. He’s day to day and likely to be a game-time decision.
(3) Quaintance is out with a knee injury and isn’t expected back until early December.

Adams is the absence to keep an eye on, because Houston have fewer big bodies to throw at Wembanyama without him. Check his final status on one of the best betting apps before tip-off.

The Spurs won last season’s regular-season series against the Rockets 3-1.

• H2H – San Antonio won the last two meetings by 12 and 25 points.
• Team trend – The Spurs went 32-8 at home last season, while Houston were 22-19 on the road.
• Totals trend – Only 35 of San Antonio’s 82 regular-season games went over the total last season.
• Player trend – Wembanyama scored 28 and 29 points in his last two games against Houston.

I’m backing the Spurs to bounce back. Houston looked dangerous against Dallas, but the Mavericks turned it over 21 times and I doubt San Antonio will be that careless.

It’s a risk laying six and a half points this early in the season, and I don’t fully trust the Moody Center as a home venue. Still, the Spurs have the extra day’s rest and the better record in this matchup.

I’m also leaning Under 226.5. If you’d rather wait, the Spurs started slowly on opening night, so live betting sites could offer a better number after the first quarter.

My prediction: Spurs 117-106.

Spurs -6.5 Line – $1.91

The Spurs only need to win by seven, and Houston haven’t beaten them since January.

Wembanyama is due a big night, and the Rockets are short of size if Adams misses out.

You can back Spurs -6.5 at $1.91 with Sportaza, one of my go-to options for NBA betting in NZ.

Play to: $1.80

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