Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets have been a bottom dweller for the past three seasons, recording 55, 62, and 60 regular-season losses. Despite this, the team was able to deliver solid performances during Harden’s tenure. Since “The Beard” left the team, they have been struggling, recording some disappointing relative offensive and defensive rating numbers.

Back in the day, Houston was a dominant force thanks to the Hakeem Olajuwon-oriented team that won back-to-back NBA Championships.

Even though the Rockets’ roster features solid players, such as Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Alperen Sengun, Eric Gordon, and Jabari Smith Jr. — the team still lacks that superstar energy Harden brought.

They failed to land the opportunity to draft the #1 prospect and French wunderkind Victor Wembanyama, as the Spurs won the right to make the first pick. The Rockets will decide fourth, after the Spurs, Hornets, and Trail Blazers.

Still, optimism abounds amid the ranks of this Houston franchise. The team waved Stephen Silas goodbye, welcoming Ime Udoka, who served as the assistant coach to Gregg Popovich and the Spurs in 2014. Whether Udoka has the capacity to coach the Rockets to the next level remains to be seen.

The Rockets ended their 2022/2023 season on a low note, but they still have a huge fan base across the globe, including the Great White North. Canadians can start placing bets on the next season as soon as the current playoffs come to an end.

Houston Rockets Betting Odds — Types of Bets

You’ll notice that Canadian online sportsbooks feature versatile NBA betting options, with a range of markets available for individual teams, including the Houston Rockets. Betting sites are constantly improving their betting selections, ensuring players get fresh odds. Let’s check out some of the most popular markets for the Rockets.

Moneyline

Moneyline is the most straightforward bet you can make in the NBA, as you only need to pick the winning side to earn a profit.

Imagine a clash between the Rockets at the Lakers. You’ll likely see something like this:

• Rockets (+130)
• Lakers (-150)

If there’s a + sign next to a team’s name, it means the sportsbook perceives them as underdogs. In this case, betting $100 will net you $130 should the Rockets upset the Lakers.

The – sign is put next to the favourite. If the Lakers perform as expected, you’ll get paid $100 if you bet the indicated number after the – sign. For instance, in this case, you’ll have to bet $150 to earn $100.

The odds aren’t arbitrary. Betting sites take a range of factors into account, including overall performance in recent games, home-court advantage, injuries and player availability, head-to-head matchups, betting market trends, and expert analyses.

Point Spread

Whenever two teams lock horns in any sport, there will be a favourite and an underdog. In a point spread, betting sites try to level out the two teams by “handicapping” the favourite by a certain number of points and assigning them to the underdog.

Imagine the Lakers are listed with -4.5 against the Rockets. If you decide to bet on LeBron’s team, they will not only have to win but also make a point difference of 5+.

That said, you’ll likely see +4.5 for Houston. Essentially, the sportsbook is “adding” points to the underdog. By having action on the Rockets, you can win even if the team loses with less than a five-point difference in score.

Relying on the point spread when betting on the Rockets could be a double-edged sword. Last season, the Houston team suffered heavy blowouts, including a 37-point difference demolition from the Grizzlies (151-114). If nothing changes in the Rockets’ ranks soon, we could see several thumping defeats in the upcoming season, which should create opportunities for point-spread bettors.

Totals

Totals are also called over/under bets. Basically, you’re betting whether the upcoming Rockets’ game will have a higher or lower total combined score than the one suggested by the sportsbook.

Let’s say the Rockets are playing against the Lakers in a regular season game. Last time, the Houston team lost to their LA competitors 134-109, which is a combined score of 243. A sportsbook might think the combined score in their next match will be 240.5. If you think the two teams are going to score a lot, you can place an “over” bet and get money if it happens.

Bettors need to consider several factors, the most important of which is offensive and defensive efficiency. It’s essential to understand whether the game is going to be a defence-intensitive matchup or not, which will directly affect the number of points in the game.

Futures

Long-haul bets are more risky, but they are also more rewarding due to their volatile nature. Futures wagers on the NBA championship are available even before the league starts. Moreover, you can also place wagers on teams to win conferences and divisions.

Apart from team futures, you can make bets pertaining to individual players, such as the regular-season MVP.

Making any futures wagers on the Rockets would be a bold move, as the team underperformed recently, failing to find a superstar to take the lead.

Prop Bets

Prop (proposition) bets aren’t tied to the game’s outcome per se. Instead, they offer players a chance to wager on some game-, team- or player-related event or milestone, adding a level of entertainment to the standard betting markets.

There is a vast difference between prop bets. For example, they can be on Jalen Green’s points, assists, or rebounds per game. You can even select which Houston player will score the first basket, and so on. There is no end to creativity, and it’s always worth exploring the available props for the game at hand if you’re up for some unconventional action.

In many cases, prop bets rely on gut instinct, but that doesn’t mean they lack an analytical approach. For instance, analyzing Green’s scoring trends and his average could help you decide whether a score-related prop is profitable.

Live Betting

Live betting (or in-game betting) enables bettors to place wagers on games that are underway. Once the next Houston Rocket game starts, you will be able to log in to your betting site and explore available live betting markets.

In-play betting adds a layer of excitement, as the line movement is constantly changing based on the current progress of the game.

Most betting options are the same as in pre-game, including money lines, point spreads, props, and more. You’ll also find betting markets related to individual game halves or quarters. For instance, you can bet on the winner of the second quarter while it’s underway.

Some online betting sites in Canada allow you to live stream the games making your in-play betting more thrilling and exciting. Even if live streaming isn’t available, the chances are the bookmaker offers some kind of live-action commentary and visual overview.

Parlays

If putting a single option on your betting slip isn’t enough for you, you can stack more and increase your potential payout substantially. Of course, a payout only happens if you pass on all your selections. For example, you can make a three-bet parlay with three moneyline bets on the three upcoming games with Houstons. Get them all right, and you’re on your way to winning money.

Teaser

With teasers, bettors can modify the point spread or totals lines themselves for two or more games. In other words, it’s necessary to make at least two selections to adjust the points in your favour. For instance, if you don’t like the determined point spread for the Rockets, you can “tease” it to your liking.

Who Has the Best Odds on the Houston Rockets?

This question has no straightforward answer, as the odds aren’t set in stone. In fact, they change with time, and each sportsbook has a slightly different way of calculating them.

The least you can do is join several reputable platforms and try to “shop” for odds when you’re searching for Houston Rockets betting options. Some platforms will offer slightly more competitive odds for the next game, but that may change right afterward. Keep an eye on our comparisons section to learn more about the odds for the upcoming Houston Rockets games across betting sites in Canada.

Houston Rockets History

The Houston Rockets were founded in 1967 as San Diego Rockets before moving to Houston in 1971. The team reached the first NBA finals in 1981 with Moses Malone, the generational talent.

The Rockets’ golden era came in the 90s, with Hakeem Olajuwon and the team landing back-to-back chips. Back in the day, the newspapers referred to Houston as “Choke City” due to their alleged poor performances in deciding matches (other Houston teams in other sports also contributed to the nickname). However, Olajuwon and the team made impressive performances for two straight years, earning Houston the epithet “Clutch City.”

Throughout the 90s, the Rockets excelled, going to the playoffs almost every year.

The following years were marked by the addition of Yao Ming to the team, who joined forces with Tracy McGrady, forming a superstar duo. The team managed to score 22 consecutive wins in the 2007-08 season, creating the third-longest winning streak in NBA history (the Miami Heat would overtake this record later with 27 consecutive wins).

In 2012, James Harden joined the Rockets, returning some of the former glory to the team. For the next eight years, the Rockets made it to the playoffs and went through to the Western Conference finals in 2014-15 and 2017-18, losing both of them. James Harden was the top-performing Rockets player each time.

After the 2019-20 season, Harden left the Rockets, and the team went on a negative three-season streak, where they’re currently at.

How to Find Houston Rockets Betting Odds and Place a Bet

Here’s how you can start betting on the Houston Rockets in Canada:

1. Select a sports betting site — Pick a licensed, secure, and competitive online betting site offering its services to Canadian players. We’ve narrowed the selection for you, featuring only the best options for betting on the Houston Rockets on this page.
2. Register and deposit — Each betting site requires completing the registration process, which shouldn’t take longer than a few minutes. After that, pick one of the available payment methods and make your first deposit.
3. Find the NBA betting options — The NBA is the most popular basketball league in the world, so the chances you’ll find Houston Rockets betting options are high. However, it’s important to explore the available features and betting markets for NBA teams.
4. Place your bet — Once you decide on your betting options, it’s time to add the bet to your slip and enter the amount of money you want to wager.
5. Get your profit — If your bet was successful, you can collect your winnings and bet again if you want.

Don’t forget that most online betting sites feature a range of promotions, including a welcome bonus for new players. Sometimes, sites offer NBA-specific promos, such as odds boosts, so keep an eye on those.

Houston Rockets FAQ

How are the odds for Houston Rockets determined at Canadian sportsbooks?

Online sportsbooks take various factors into account when determining odds. Some of them involve historical data, the team’s overall performance, player injuries, betting market trends, and more. When betting on matches, head-to-head score and performance matter the most.

Can I expect the Houston Rockets to win the championship next season?

Currently, the Houston Rockets are one of the least successful teams, so the probability of them winning the championship next season is close to non-existent.

Is live betting on Houston Rockets available for Canadian bettors?

Yes, most betting sites in Canada offer in-play betting capabilities for all NBA matches. However, the selection of live betting markets is unique for every platform, so it’s a good idea to explore the offer before making your first live bet. Similar to pre-game betting, you may need to shop around for odds, even when betting live.