Raptors vs. Rockets NBA expert prediction and odds for Friday, Feb. 2 (Lay it with Houston at home)

The Toronto Raptors have lost nine of their last 11 games but are coming off an 11-point road win over the Bulls. Toronto is 12th in the Eastern Conference and more moves could be coming by next week’s NBA trade deadline. Toronto already dealt standout forward Pascal Siakam to Indiana. Can you trust the rebuilding Raptors as short underdogs in Houston? 

The Rockets were approaching .500 after beating Utah in overtime Jan. 20, but Houston has dropped four of its last six. Three of those defeats were by single digits before coming out flat offensively in a home loss to New Orleans (110-99) on Wednesday.

Houston has been active ahead of the deadline, trading Victor Oladipo and a trio of second-round picks to Memphis for Memphis center Steven Adams.

Here’s the betting preview for Friday night with a best bet. 

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Raptors vs. Rockets odds, spread and total

Raptors vs. Rockets how to watch

• Date: Friday, Feb. 2
• Game time: 8 p.m. EST
• Venue: Toyota Center
• How to watch (TV): Bally Sports
• Raptors record: 17-30
• Rockets record: 22-25

Raptors vs. Rockets injury reports

Toronto Raptors injury report

• Jontay Porter (back): doubtful
• Jakob Poeltl (ankle): questionable
• Immanuel Quickley (quad): questionable
• RJ Barrett (knee): questionable

Houston Rockets injury report

• Alperen Sengun (illness): questionable
• Steven Adams (traded): out 

Raptors vs. Rockets key players to watch

Raptors

Gary Trent Jr: Trent is averaging 12 points per game this season, which is his lowest scoring output since his second year in the league with Portland in 2019-20. The former second-round pick is averaging 15.5 points over the last seven games and led the Raptors with 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting (hitting six 3-pointers) in Tuesday’s road win over the Bulls. 

Rockets

Jalen Green: The second-year shooting guard and former No. 2 overall pick has been on fire on the offensive end for the Rockets. Green has scored 30-plus points in three of the last four games and has shot over 50% from the field four times in the last five. Green has hit four or more 3-pointers in three consecutive games and is coming off a 31-point performance in Wednesday’s loss to the Pelicans. Green only averages 4.9 rebounds per game, but has pulled down 36 boards over the last four contests. 

Raptors vs. Rockets prediction and pick

Toronto might have a one-day rest advantage, but that hasn’t helped the Raptors too much this season, going 5-7-1 ATS in that spot. 

The Rockets excel inside the Toyota Center, going 16-9-1 ATS at home this season (sixth best in the NBA) with a defense that thrives in the Lone Star State. Houston is No. 7 in the league in defensive rating and has the No. 4 scoring defense at home this season. They’ll face a Toronto offense that is likely without RJ Barrett, who is averaging 21 points in 13 games since being dealt to the Raptors.

The matchup gets even juicier for Houston if Toronto center and leading rebounder Jakob Poeltl can’t go with the ankle issue. That gives Rockets’ center and leading scorer (21.7) Alperen Sengun a great advantage against a Toronto defense that is No. 25 in allowing points in the paint. Lay the short number with the Rockets. 

Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.