Houston Rockets vs Atlanta Hawks odds, injury report, starters for October 19

The Houston Rockets begin the 2022-23 season on the road against the Atlanta Hawks. The Rockets split the season series with the Hawks last season, winning the first matchup 132-126 in exhilarating fashion. Eric Gordon scored a season-high 32 points, and the now-departed D.J. Augustin chipped in an additional 19 points. 

The Hawks got revenge the second time around, cruising to a 130-114 victory in the final game of the season. Which means the Rockets and Hawks will be engaged in a back-to-back over the course of two seasons. Way to schedule NBA.

Houston Rockets vs Atlanta Hawks odds 

Wynnbet has the Rockets as +10 underdogs against the Hawks. Thursday night, the line was +9 and was +9.5 earlier in the day on Wednesday. The over/under for total points is 233 points. ESPN analytics gives the Hawks an 85.7% chance to win the game

Wynnbet is pretty confident Jalen Green will have a big game based on their points + assists lines. Green's +20 points and assists line is -476, which means to win $100 you would have to wager $476. The line for +25 is -145.

Houston Rockets vs Atlanta Hawks injury report

The Rockets have listed TyTy Washington out due to a sprained knee, and Jae’Sean Tate will miss the opener due to an ankle injury. Bogdan Bogdanovic will be absent for the Hawks due to a kneecap injury. 

Houston Rockets vs Atlanta Hawks starters

According to The Athletic’s Kelly Iko, Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr, Eric Gordon, and Jabari Smith Jr. are locks to start the opener. There is some question as to whether Bruno Fernando will leapfrog Alperen Sengun as the starting center. Fernando, a more traditional center, impressed in preseason as a rim protector and rim runner. Sengun struggled at times in the Rockets’ spread pick-and-roll attack. 

The Hawks are expected to start Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, De’Andre Hunter, John Collins, and Clint Capela. Murray, an All-Star last season for San Antonio, was the Hawks' big offseason addition, Hunter recently signed a four-year, $95 million extension, and Capela was traded to the Hawks from the Rockets in February of 2020.

The Rockets season begins at 7:30 EST (6:30 CT)