Houston Rockets 2009-2010 Season Preview, Picks & Odds

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Houston Rockets 2008-2009 NBA Record: 53-29, 2nd in Southwest Division

Houston Rockets 2008-2009 ATS (Against The Spread): 40-41-1

Houston Rockets Betting Trends & Betting Angles:

• UNDER is 10-2-2 past 14 at home to Mavs

• UNDER is 12-2 past 14 games at San Antonio

• 12-3 SU past 15 at home to Nuggets

• OVER is 9-2 past 11 as dog of 2 or less

• UNDER is 7 -2 past 9 games on no rest

• UNDER is 11-3 past 14 games within Southwest

• UNDER is 11-1 past 1 2 April home games

Houston Rockets 2009-2010 Preview & Prediction

A year ago, the Rockets were considered a legit contender in the West, a team that entered the final night of the regular season with a chance for the No.2 seed, only to wind up No.5. Still, they overcame that to knock off Utah in the first round, then gave the Lakers a seven-game battle.

But Yao’s injury coupled with Arrest’s departure means Houston figures to be challenged again. Adelman won’t let his team ease up or as some suggest tank the season to get in better position for the Lottery. Still, it’s clear Houston knows how to play hard. The Rockets will compete.

Houston Rockets Coach: Rick Adelman (3rd season)

Houston Rockets Returning Players: Guards Brent Barry, Aaron Brooks, Kyle Lowry; forwards Shane Battier, Brian Cook, Joey Dorsey, Chuck Hayes, Carl Landry, Tracy McGrady; centers Luis Scola, Yao Ming (injured).

Houston Rockets Key Additions: orward David Anderson (free agent), forward Trevor Ariza (free agent), forward Chase Budinger (draft), guard Sergio Lull (draft), center Pops Mensa-Bonsu (free agent), guard Jermaine Taylor (draft).

Houston Rockets Key Subtractions: Forward James White (traded to Nuggets), forward Ron Artest (signed with Lakers), center Dikembe Mutombo (retired), guard Von Wafer (signed to play in Greece).

2009-2010 Houston Rockets Point Guards:

The midseason trading away of Rafer Alston paved the way for Aaron Brooks to step in and run the show for the Rockets last season – and he made the most of it. Brooks’ lightning quickness and ability to drive among the trees and get to the basket ignited the Houston offense. Plus, he turned into a fairly reliable 3-point shooter, making teams pay for laying off him. He presents definite match-up problems that Adelman knows how to exploit.

Backup Kyle Lowry was slowed by a succession of injuries in Memphis, but stayed healthy after coming to Houston. He’s a rugged defender with a sturdy upper body but not much of a shot. Both of them are short, which could work against them defensively. Spanish rookie Sergio Liull, a little taller, could get a shot, too.

2009-2010 Houston Rockets Off Guards:

If you thought the Rockets had a gap in the middle, wait till you see what they’re dealing with here. Unless Tracy McGrady makes a sooner-than-expected recovery from micro-fracture surgery to assume his natural position, Houston will be woefully undermanned at this position. Rookie Chase Budinger averaged a team-best 17.8 points and shot 68 percent from the field in summer league while playing point, off guard and small forward. He’ll help fill a big gap perhaps.

Brent Barry, once a great clutch shooter but now a 37-year-old role player, played only sparingly last year. But he may get first shot at the job. After that, rookie Jermaine Taylor or second year man James White may get a chance.

Other options include shifting Kyle Lowry to the position or moving Trevor Ariza and/or Shane Battier down, but clearly Houston doesn’t stack up well here.

2009-2010 Houston Rockets Small Forwards:

As much as Trevor Ariza came on last season in L.A., he’s not Ron Arrest, who gave the Rockets a blend of scoring, defense, toughness and even some swagger on the court. Ariza, however, is younger and quicker, and has developed into a deadly 3-point shooter and clamp-down defender. Adelman will put him to great use.

And Shane Battier, who does all the little things that go unnoticed while the stars shine, suddenly finds himself in a lineup that basically doesn’t have any stars. That means teams will be able to play him honest and neutralize some of his strengths, moving without the ball and finding the open man.

Other than that, Adelman may call on rookie Budinger, a lights out shooter, and veteran Brian Cook. Neither has much of a track record as they wait for McGrady to return and pick up the slack.

2009-2010 Houston Rockets Power Forwards:

The smart money says incumbent Luis Scola will move over to center, though he’ll certainly get his minutes at the 4 as well. That means third-year man Carl Landry moves imo Scola’s spot.

Landry has always provided energy and played well in stretches, but this figures to be the first time Houston’s really asking him to be pull a full load. That’s not to say he can’t do it, just that he’s never really had the chance. By the same token, Chuck Hayes has always proven to be a willing banger, though not much of a scorer.
Second-year man might see some time as well.

2009-2010 Houston Rockets Centers:

The 6-9 Scola is the leading candidate to inherit the middle from Yao. Scola can’t shoot or block shots like Yao, though he does have a decent scoring touch (12.7). More telling, he’s a solid rebounder (8.8) who’ll throw his body around as much as possible.

Behind him is 6-11 Australian David Andersen (When the Rockets go small – and that might be often – even the undersized Hayes, another solid rebounder with limited other skills can play here). The 29-year-old Andersen, who was drafted by Atlanta in 2002, played in Spain last year.

Houston Rockets 2009-2010 Season Predictions

We predict that the Houston Rockets will finish 2nd in the NBA Southwest Division .

Houston Rockets Betting

Houston Rockets NBA Championship Odds: +1800

Houston Rockets Eastern Conference Odds: +3000

Houston Rockets 2008-2009 Betting Stats

Houston Rockets Straight Up: 53-29

Houston Rockets ATS: 41-41-1

Houston Rockets Home ATS: 20-20-1

Houston Rockets Away ATS: 20-21

Houston Rockets Record As Favorite: 44-17

Houston Rockets Record As Dog: 9-11

Houston Rockets Over/Under: 39-42-1

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