PLAYOFF FORECAST

The Rockets would have been wise to get over their chemistry issues from last season and just try to win in '19-20 with the same core. But clearly the Harden-Paul relationship was broken. The Rockets had the best record when Paul was healthy for the past 2 seasons. To think that Russell Westbrook would be a better POINT GUARD is crazy. They went from 51 wins to 50 wins after the trade and a lower chance of winning the West. They have a 46.9% chance of getting past the first round of the playoffs. They have a 21.6% chance of getting past round 2. Their chances of then winning the West is 9.2%. They have 4.2% chance of winning the championship.

REGULAR SEASON RECAP

Their 53 regular season wins exceeded expectations. It was +0.9 above what oddsmakers' money line projected. The season went as expected. Their strength was at home. They won 53.7% on the road which was worse than expected (56.5%). They won 31 at home and were expected to win 29.

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STATISTICAL STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES

SHOOTING (STRENGTH): They are an elite shooting team with a true FG% of 58% (#2 in League). They average 113.9 pts per game vs an expected average (based on pre-game odds) of 113.3. On the road they average 111 (112.4 expected), and at home 116.8 ppg (114.2 expected).

DEFENSE (WEAKNESS): This is a below average defensive team allowing opponents to shoot 56 true FG% (#18 in League). They allow 109.1 pts per game vs an expected value of 108.9. They are allowing 108.6 (110.4 expected) on the road, and at home 109.7 ppg (107.4 expected).

REBOUNDING (WEAKNESS): They are outrebounded by opponents by 3 per game (#27 in league). However, the team has recently outrebounded opponents by 1.7.

TURNOVERS (STRENGTH): Their average turnover margin is 1.6 per game (#6 in league). Worst in their past 7 games with a turnover margin of -0.9.

TEAM STATS AND AGAINST THE SPREAD GAMELOG

Below is a recap of all 82 regular games. Anyone who backed the Rockets in all of their games would have earned a +401 unit profit at a 100 per game risk. Against the spread, they have lost -190 units risking 110 to win 100 (41-39 ATS). The Rockets have lost ATS on the road, but at home they have turned a profit.