Houston at Brooklyn

The Houston Rockets opened the season at 3-10, and it looked like a long season was heading their way without the big man Yao in the middle. They have learned there is life after Yao, as the Rockets found new ways of playing and winning, going 35-25 since for a .583 winning percentage. They are 12-4 in their last 16. This is to a rather strong schedule that has shown them play just eight road games against sub-.500 teams since December 11, and they have been 6-2 ATS in the eight. The Nets went for 106.3 points per game over a nine-game stretch, but in their last eight have not sniffed the century mark and are averaging less than 90 per game. That will be tough against a Houston team that is averaging 109.1 ppg in their last 22. This one also fits a nice 73-46 ATS situation favoring the Rockets. Houston gets the call.