Philadelphia 76ers vs Houston Rockets Picks and Predictions November 27th 2024

76ers vs Rockets November 27th 2024

At 7:00 ET, the 3rd ranked Rockets (-206) will be taking on the 76ers (+174) in a non-conference matchup. The over/under line for this game is currently sitting at 215.5 points.

This game will be played at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia and can be seen on NBCS.

Rockets vs. 76ers Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Houston Rockets at Philadelphia 76ers
• Where: Philadelphia at Wells Fargo Center
• Date: Wednesday, November 27th
• Betting Odds HOU -5, HOU -206 | PHI +174 O/U 215.5

The Rockets Can Win If…

The Rockets improved to 13-6 this season with a 117-111 win over the Timberwolves on Tuesday. Houston, who entered the game as +3 point underdogs, not only won but also covered the spread. The total points for the game were 228, surpassing the O/U line of 219.5 by 8.5 points.

After an 11-0 run by the Timberwolves early in the game, the Rockets responded by winning the 2nd quarter 25-21. They led 84-78 going into the 4th, but Minnesota fought back, winning the final quarter 24-18. Despite the Timberwolves’ push, Houston held on for the win.

Fred VanVleet knocked down 6 threes at a 50% clip, finishing with 27 points and 11 assists in the Rockets’ win over the Timberwolves. Dillon Brooks and Alperen Şengün each added 22 points, with Brooks hitting 4 threes at 57.1% shooting from deep.

As a team, the Rockets connected on 15 threes, shooting 40.5% from beyond the arc and 45.5% overall. Şengün also contributed 11 assists and 10 rebounds, while Jabari Smith added 19 points, including 8 in the 2nd quarter.

The Rockets put together a strong defensive performance on Tuesday, holding the Timberwolves to 111 points in a win. Houston’s defense was especially effective in the 2nd quarter, where they allowed just 21 points. They also clamped down in the 4th, giving up only 24 points to secure the victory.

Houston limited Minnesota’s three-point shooting, allowing just 9 made threes on 23% shooting. The Rockets also recorded 12 steals and 9 blocks in the game.

• Houston has played well in their previous 5 road games, going 3-2 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 113 points per game while allowing 108. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-2.
• As the betting favorite, the Rockets have an ATS mark of just 7-3 in their last ten games. Houston posted a straight up mark of 8-2 in these matchups.
• Over their last five games, the Rockets have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 4-1 vs. the spread.

The 76ers Can Win If…

On Sunday, November 24th, the 76ers dropped to 3-13 this season after a 125-99 home loss to the Clippers. Philadelphia, who entered the game as +1.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 224, surpassing the pre-game O/U line of 210.5 by 13.5 points.

After an 11-0 run by the Clippers early on, the 76ers couldn’t recover. They were outscored 39-27 in the 1st quarter, and despite an even 2nd quarter (23-23), the Clippers pulled away in the 3rd, outscoring the 76ers 35-22. Heading into the 4th quarter down 97-72, the 76ers couldn’t mount a comeback, losing the final quarter 28-27.

In their 125-99 loss to the Clippers, the 76ers shot just 39.5% from the field and made only 9 threes, hitting at a 23.1% rate. Jared McCain led the team with 18 points, despite shooting 20% from the field and 18.2% from three.

Tyrese Maxey added 17 points, making 3 threes at 50% efficiency, while Kelly Oubre contributed 12 points on 54.5% shooting. McCain scored 7 points in the 3rd quarter and added 6 more in the 4th.

The 76ers struggled defensively against the Clippers, giving up 125 points on 58% shooting. Philadelphia allowed 39 points in the 1st quarter and 35 in the 3rd, despite a better 2nd quarter where they held Los Angeles to 23 points.

From beyond the arc, the Clippers hit 12 threes at a 40% clip. The 76ers also sent them to the line 25 times, where they made 19 free throws. Philadelphia finished with 8 steals and 5 blocks.

• Through their last three home games, Philadelphia has an ATS record of just 0-3. However, their overall record was 0-3 while averaging 95 points per game.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, Philadelphia has an ATS mark of 3-7 while going 1-9 straight up.
• In their last three games, the 76ers have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Our bet is on the Rockets for a win, and we project the score to be 136-101. Additionally, we expect them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to wager on the Rockets with the spread at -5.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 215.5 and given that our model is projecting 237 points between the teams, we like the over.

NBA Picks & Predictions

Rockets, 76ers: A Tale of Two Paths in the NBA

The Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers are living through sharply contrasting realities this NBA season. As the Rockets surge with team-oriented play and resilience, the 76ers struggle under the weight of injuries and defensive lapses. Here’s a closer look at the divergent journeys of these two franchises.

Houston Rockets: Rising with Teamwork and Determination

After finishing last season with a .500 record, the Houston Rockets have emerged as a team to watch, boasting a 13-6 record and winning 8 of their last 10 games. Their most recent triumph—a gritty 117-111 overtime win against the Minnesota Timberwolves—showcases their growth and ability to thrive under pressure.

Key Drivers of Success

1. Resilience Under Pressure:
   • Despite squandering an 18-point lead against the Timberwolves, the Rockets rallied in the final minutes of regulation and dominated overtime.
   • Coach Ime Udoka described the victory as one of their “sweetest wins of the year,” highlighting the team’s refusal to fold under adversity.
2. Player Contributions:
   • Fred VanVleet led the way with 27 points and 11 assists, including six 3-pointers.
   • Alperen Sengun delivered a triple-double, showcasing his versatility and leadership on the court.
3. Team Chemistry:
   • The Rockets tallied 31 assists on 45 made field goals, reflecting their unselfish, ball-sharing approach. They also shot an impressive 40.5% from beyond the arc.
4. Confidence and Momentum:
   • “When we play like this, it’s really hard to play against us,” Sengun noted, emphasizing their improved team identity.

With their unselfish play, defensive grit, and newfound consistency, the Rockets are climbing the Western Conference standings and building confidence as a potential playoff contender.

Philadelphia 76ers: Struggling to Find Stability

In stark contrast, the Philadelphia 76ers are floundering at 3-13, burdened by injuries to key players and a lack of defensive cohesion. While they briefly snapped a five-game losing streak with a win over the Brooklyn Nets, their subsequent 125-99 blowout loss to the Los Angeles Clippers highlights their ongoing challenges.

Challenges Holding Them Back

1. Injury Woes:
   • The absence of Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Kyle Lowry has left the 76ers severely undermanned. All three players will also miss their upcoming matchup against Houston.
2. Defensive Struggles:
   • Coach Nick Nurse lamented his team’s inability to prevent drives or keep opponents in front, allowing the Clippers to shoot 58% from the field.
3. Lack of Energy:
   • Rookie guard Jared McCain, a rare bright spot, called out the team’s inconsistent effort. “We’ve just got to come up with more energy,” McCain said, urging his teammates to focus on controllable factors like effort and intensity.
4. Inconsistent Play:
   • McCain, while averaging an impressive 16.6 points this season, struggled in the loss to the Clippers, shooting just 3-for-15.

Bright Spots

Despite their difficulties, Philadelphia’s dominance over Houston in recent years (winning 8 of the last 9 matchups) serves as a reminder of their potential when healthy. However, unless they address their defensive lapses and find ways to generate energy on the court, their season risks spiraling further out of control.

A Season of Contrasts

The Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers exemplify how dramatically circumstances can shape an NBA season:

• The Rockets are a team transformed by resilience, ball movement, and a “team-first” mentality under Coach Ime Udoka. Their rising confidence and winning habits make them a tough opponent for any team in the league.
• The 76ers, on the other hand, are stuck in a cycle of injuries and poor defensive execution, struggling to recapture the identity that once made them formidable.

Looking Ahead

For the Rockets, their challenge is to maintain consistency and build on their current momentum. If they continue to play with the same determination and unselfishness, they have the potential to be a playoff contender in the Western Conference.

For the 76ers, the road ahead is steeper. Regaining health is critical, but equally important is addressing their defensive issues and fostering a stronger sense of urgency and effort. Without those adjustments, their hopes of turning the season around remain slim.

Conclusion

The paths of the Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers this season serve as a reminder of the fine margins in professional basketball. One team is thriving through teamwork and grit, while the other is searching for answers amid adversity. As they prepare to face off, the contrast between these two franchises couldn’t be more apparent.