[8:10 PM] Raptors @ Rockets

Who will WIN this matchup?

Toronto Raptors (8-6)

@ Houston Rockets (9-5)

 

• The line for this game is Rockets by 3.5 points.

• The Toronto Raptors are suddenly sliding and not even DeMar DeRozan can get them back on track. DeRozan will try to get the upper hand in a battle of prolific scorers when the Raptors visit James Harden and the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

• Toronto looked like a title contender while jumping out to a 7-2 start but is not faring well against elite teams with losses to Cleveland, Golden State and the Clippers during a 1-4 stretch. Lowry led the Raptors with 27 points on Monday but allowed his point guard counterpart Chris Paul to rack up 26 points and 12 assists.

• Harden, like DeRozan, is one of the best in the league at getting to the free-throw line and converting his chances into points, but he missed five free throws down the stretch on Monday and finished 14-of-19 from the line. Harden spent the last three games – all wins – playing in the backcourt next to Patrick Beverley, who missed the first 11 games with a knee injury but is averaging 25 minutes and is 11-of-21 from the field since his return.

• Rockets SF Sam Dekker recorded career highs of 12 points and 25 minutes on Monday.

• Toronto SF DeMarre Carroll sat out Monday to rest after scoring a season-high 17 points in the loss at Sacramento the previous day.

• Houston took both meetings last season.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Houston Rockets

Confidence: 4/10

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