StatFox.com - Sports Handicapping Community

The Leader In Sports Handicapping

Rockets face red-hot Sixers on Friday
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 1/27/2017  at  12:14:00 PM
  Print This Article    

HOUSTON ROCKETS (34-15)

at PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (17-27)

Tip-off: Friday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: Houston -8.0, Total: 219.5

The Sixers will be going for their 11th win in 14 games when they host the struggling Rockets on Friday.

Houston is struggling right now, as the Rockets have now lost two straight and six of their past nine. This team opened up the season scorching hot, but its defense has been absolutely miserable lately. The Rockets allowed both the Bucks and Celtics to shoot 50.0% or better from the field, and that’s a huge reason that they have lost their last two games. They’ll need to find a way to be better defensively against the Sixers on Friday or they’ll certainly leave as losers of three straight. Philadelphia is as hot as could be coming into this one, and a matchup with the struggling Rockets is certainly going to excite this young team. The Sixers have shot 50.0% or better in each of their past two games, so they’ll be confident against a team that is as lousy defensively as Houston. The Rockets did, however, pummel the Sixers earlier in the year, winning 115-88 as 11-point home favorites on Nov. 14. Houston also happens to be 6-0 SU (3-2-1 ATS) in its past six games against Philadelphia, and the Sixers haven’t won in Houston since 2011. One trend that sticks out when looking at this game is that teams that have won only 25% to 40% of their games that are coming off of a road win (Philadelphia) are a lousy 24-58 ATS over the past five seasons when the line is anywhere from +3 to -3. There are some injuries that need to be addressed in this game, though. SG Eric Gordon (Back) is questionable for the Rockets, and both Cs Joel Embiid (Knee) and Jahlil Okafor (Knee) are doubtful for the Sixers, who are already without PG Jerryd Bayless (Wrist) and SF Ben Simmons (Knee) either indefinitely or for the season.

With SG Eric Gordon (17.4 PPG) listed as questionable in this game, it’s likely that SG James Harden (28.6 PPG, 11.6 APG, 8.1 RPG, 1.4 SPG) is going to need to take on a bigger role as a scorer in this one. Harden has averaged 28.0 PPG over the past three contests, but he has only attempted an average of 12.3 field goals per game in those contests. Harden has shot 45 free throws in that span, but he needs to get himself more clear looks at the rim. He might have 10 or more assists in four straight games, but the Rockets are losing games and might need him to come through with a 40-point performance in order to snap out of their recent funk. Two other guys that will be counted on to step it up in this game are PF Ryan Anderson (13.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG) and SF Trevor Ariza (12.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.9 SPG). With Gordon either out or playing through an injury, Ariza and Anderson both need to make some more shots in order to help this team earn a win. Anderson is red-hot from three over the past two games, knocking down six of his 11 attempts from behind the arc. If he can keep that up then it would really help Harden out in this one. Ariza, however, is only 7-for-26 from the floor over the past three games, and he must be better moving forward.

The Sixers are playing fantastic basketball right now, but things are going to be difficult without C Joel Embiid (19.8 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.5 BPG) on Friday night. One guy that will be counted on to provide a spark in Embiid’s absence is C Nerlens Noel (8.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG). Noel has played 28.5 MPG over the past two contests, and he has responded by averaging 17.5 PPG, 10.5 RPG and 2.0 BPG in those games. Noel is still a good rim protector and he has been given a chance to show his worth offensively these past few games. He has definitely responded, shooting 13-for-22 from the floor over the past two games. Noel is also 9-for-9 from the line over the past two, and that is big for a career 61.1% free throw shooter. He’ll likely be Philly’s most important player on the court in this game, as the Sixers need him to show up on both ends of the floor. PF Robert Covington (10.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.7 SPG) and PG T.J. McConnell (5.2 PPG, 5.9 APG, 1.4 SPG) are the two other guys to watch out for in this one. Both guys play hard on both ends of the floor, and they are going to need to be ready to play well offensively in this game. It’s not easy to keep up with the Rockets offensively, so McConnell will likely need to dish out at least 10 assists and Covington must hits some outside shots.


FoxSheets.com
The FoxSheets - the most advanced sports handicapping information available on the internet.
Sign up for professional sports betting information including fantastic trends, and Free FoxSheets.
E-mail: