After tying the San Antonio Spurs for the worst record in the Western Conference this past season, the Houston Rockets could be on the rise in 2023-24.
With a talented young core, a surprisingly good batch of veterans, and a new, proven head coach, Houston could take a huge step forward this year. The rest of the West dramatically improved as well, though, so the Rockets will have their work cut out for them.
Here are the best Rockets prop bets for the 2023-24 NBA season.
Rockets Odds 2024
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Rockets Prop Bets 2024
NBA lines are current as of Thursday, Aug. 24, at 5 p.m. ET. To see updated Rockets odds and lines, use the widget above.
Rockets: Over 31.5 Wins (-125)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Rockets have a chance to make some real noise this year, and sportsbooks recognize it. After winning just 22 times this past season, Houston’s win total projection is set at 31.5 games.
The addition of All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet is a big reason why. The 29-year-old is coming off a down year with the Toronto Raptors, but he still averaged 19.3 points, 7.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.8 steals in just over 36 minutes per game.
Houston also brought in other key veterans such as Dillon Brooks and Jeff Green to build upon an already impressive group of young talent. Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Alperen Şengün, and Jabari Smith Jr. all appear set to improve in 2023-24.
It certainly won’t be easy on the Rockets — their division is looking particularly tough, not to mention the rest of the conference — but this is the best roster this franchise has fielded since James Harden‘s departure, and Ime Udoka is a massive upgrade from Stephen Silas on the sidelines.
Lock in the Rockets to go Over 31.5 wins this season with your NBA bet of the day.
Alperen Şengün: Most Improved Player (+1600)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
On the subject of improving young players, Şengün should be at the forefront of that conversation — and on a league-wide basis, too.
It would be unfair to call him a miniature Nikola Jokić, but he does fill a similar role. Already an efficient scorer, rebounder, and rim protector, Şengün made strides as a playmaker in 2022-23, averaging a career-high 3.9 assists per game and recording five or more on 29 occasions.
Şengün will undoubtedly see an uptick in production this year as his role continues to grow, and taking the floor alongside better players should help cover up his weaknesses and maximize his strengths. This could be his breakout year, and the NBA MIP odds reflect that.
Rockets: Make Play-In Tournament (+325)
Caesars Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.25 Units
There’s always one team in each conference that significantly exceeds expectations each season, and I’m inclined to believe that the West’s big surprise in 2023-24 could be the Rockets. It will take a lot to make it work in Year 1, but the potential is there.
VanVleet, Brooks, and Green bring years of playoff experience to the table, and Udoka was terrific in his lone year as head coach of the Boston Celtics, leading them all the way to the 2022 NBA Finals. That, combined with a slew of budding talent, could be a recipe for success.
The greatest challenge will be on defense, as Houston has posted a bottom-five defensive rating in each of the last three seasons. An enforcer like Brooks helps in that department, as does Udoka, whose Celtics allowed the fewest points per game in the league under his direction.
Considering the price tag here, I’m content to lay a quarter-unit wager on the Rockets. Few are expecting them to make any noise this year, and I could see them excel if they play like they have nothing to lose.
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How to Bet on Rockets Games 2024
How to Bet Rockets Moneylines
Wagering on moneylines is about as simple as it gets when it comes to sports betting, though it isn’t always the most profitable option. Betting on underdogs can be a great way to secure a big payout, but favorites win often enough to make it an unreliable strategy.
The Rockets, for example, went just 22-60 last year, which means their moneyline only hit 22 times. They won just 23% of the time as an underdog, which was the fourth-worst mark in the NBA.
Striking a balance between betting favorites and underdogs is the best strategy to employ when it comes to moneylines. Favorites come with a smaller return on your investment, but it’s also far more likely that you’ll win your bet by betting on the team that’s expected to win.
- 2022-23 Rockets Moneyline Record: 22-60
How to Bet Rockets Spreads
Spread betting can be a great alternative to moneylines. Rather than dealing in absolute winners and losers, spreads allow you to bet against a certain number of points that a team is projected to either win or lose by.
For example, if the Rockets are taking on the Dallas Mavericks, Houston might be a 7.5-point underdog. In this case, the Rockets would need to either win the game outright or lose by less than 7.5 points to cover the spread. Otherwise, Dallas would cover.
Houston went 33-45-4 against the spread in 2022-23, which was the fourth-worst record in the league. Considering the improvements the Rockets made this summer, they should have more success against the spread in 2023-24.
- 2022-23 Rockets Against the Spread Record: 33-45-4
How to Bet Rockets Over/Unders
When you’re unsure of how a game will turn out, betting Over/Unders is likely to be your best option. Here, you’re betting on the total combined points scored in a game rather than the outcome.
Against the Mavericks, for example, the Over/Under may be set at 235.5 points. In this case, the Over would hit if more than 235.5 points are scored, while the Under would hit if the total comes in below that line.
The Rockets were nearly even on Over/Unders in 2022-23, which is pretty standard. If you’re looking to try this type of bet, make sure you read up on injury reports and check out the results of prior matchups, as these can significantly influence the projected total.
- 2022-23 Rockets Over/Under Record: 40-41-1
