PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's NBA Sunday Totals Crusher
(NBA) Utah vs. Houston,
Total: 201.50 | -110.00 Under
Result: Win
Total: 201.50 | -110.00 Under
Result: Win
The Houston Rockets are averaging 107.2 points per game this season after averaging an NBA second-best 115.3 points last season.
What gives?
The Rockets haven't been as up-tempo and their 3-point shots haven't been dropping like last season. They rate 28th in 3-point accuracy compared to 15th last year while putting up the most 3-point shots.
Things are beginning to change for the Rockets, however.
Houston is coming off a 119-97 road win against the Knicks on Wednesday and a 119-104 road victory against the Hawks Friday. The key to these higher point totals is more fast-break points. Houston has averaged 17.5 fast break points in these past two games. That would rank second in the league if computed for a full season. Previous to these two contests, the Rockets ranked 23rd in fast break points at 7.5.
The Rockets should start improving their 3-point shooting, too, with Trevor Ariza getting the rust off after being out.
The Jazz are a top-two defensive team unlike the Knicks and Hawks. But the Rockets are looking to continue to push pace against Utah, which gives up an average of 99.6 points a game on the road.
Utah has reached triple digits in its last three games. Rookie Donovan Mitchell has been a below-the-radar scorer putting up at least 22 points in three of his past four games. Ricky Rubio is a better Over point guard than George Hill was for Utah last season and Rodney Hood is back healthy.
What gives?
The Rockets haven't been as up-tempo and their 3-point shots haven't been dropping like last season. They rate 28th in 3-point accuracy compared to 15th last year while putting up the most 3-point shots.
Things are beginning to change for the Rockets, however.
Houston is coming off a 119-97 road win against the Knicks on Wednesday and a 119-104 road victory against the Hawks Friday. The key to these higher point totals is more fast-break points. Houston has averaged 17.5 fast break points in these past two games. That would rank second in the league if computed for a full season. Previous to these two contests, the Rockets ranked 23rd in fast break points at 7.5.
The Rockets should start improving their 3-point shooting, too, with Trevor Ariza getting the rust off after being out.
The Jazz are a top-two defensive team unlike the Knicks and Hawks. But the Rockets are looking to continue to push pace against Utah, which gives up an average of 99.6 points a game on the road.
Utah has reached triple digits in its last three games. Rookie Donovan Mitchell has been a below-the-radar scorer putting up at least 22 points in three of his past four games. Ricky Rubio is a better Over point guard than George Hill was for Utah last season and Rodney Hood is back healthy.
