| MATCHUP | Houston Rockets | Brooklyn Nets |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 20-10 | 10-20 |
| Spread | -11.5 -115 | +11.5 -105 |
| Moneyline | -535 | +400 |
| Total | Over 218.5 (-108) | Under 218.5 (-112) |
| Where | Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY | |
| When | Thursday, January 1, 2026 | |
| Time | 06:00 PM EST | |
| TV | YES | |
The Houston Rockets and the Brooklyn Nets collide at the Barclays Center on Thursday night. Here’s a Houston Rockets vs Brooklyn Nets Prediction. This article will include a Houston Rockets vs Brooklyn Nets Pick.
Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The Houston Rockets are starting to heat up again as they are now aiming for a fourth straight victory after sneaking past the Pacers in a 126-119 home win on Monday. Kevin Durant led the team with 30 points, six rebounds and five assists on 13 of 20 shooting, Jabari Smith Jr added 21 points with 10 rebounds while Amen Thompson chipped in with 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists on six of nine shooting.
As a team, the Rockets shot a sizzling 59 percent from the field and 10 of 27 from the 3-point line as they hit the ground running with 66 points in the first half to take an 18-point lead. Before they exploded for 39 points in the third quarter to lead by as many as 28 points. It wasn’t the most clinical win as the Rockets got outscored by 41-21 in the fourth quarter but they were always ahead by double digits until the final minute of the game.
Brooklyn Nets Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets have been in pretty good form lately as they’ve won seven of their last 11 games overall. They will be looking to bounce back in this one after having their three-game win streak halted by the Warriors in a 120-107 loss on Monday. Michael Porter Jr led the team with 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Egor Demin added 23 points on seven of 17 shooting while Nic Claxton chipped in with 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists on seven of nine shooting.
As a team, the Nets shot 45 percent from the field and 18 of 42 from the 3-point line as they wasted an early 13-point lead. However, they were right in the contest within striking distance until early in the fourth quarter where the Warriors went on a pivotal 9-1 run to start to pull away.
Why the Brooklyn Nets will win
- The Rockets have lost each of their last six games at Barclays Center.
- The Nets have won each of their last three games as underdogs following a loss.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the last six games between the Rockets and Nets at Barclays Center.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six night games against teams that held a losing record.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Rockets have won each of their last 12 road games against Eastern Conference opponents following a win.
- The Nets have lost each of their last eight Thursday night games.
- The Nets have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine home games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Rockets have covered the spread in each of their last four games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Rockets’ last four games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of the Nets’ last seven home games on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
Brooklyn Nets Player Facts
- Noah Clowney is one of only 10 qualified Centers in the league shooting at least 80% from the free-throw line this season.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- Jabari Smith Jr. ranks 38th amongst qualified players for rebounds per game (6.9) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nets rank 30th in the league for field goals made per game this season (38.1).
- The Nets rank 1st in the league for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (85.5).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (16.1).
- The Rockets rank 1st in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (75.4%).
Houston Rockets vs Brooklyn Nets Prediction
The Rockets could be missing a bunch of players in this one with Tari Eason, Clint Capela, Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams all listed as questionable. The Nets have ruled out Egor Demin with Terance Mann and Michael Porter Jr both questionable. The Rockets went through their struggles at the start of December, but now they are on another win streak and fresh off a nice win over the Pacers. The Nets were flying under the radar for a couple of weeks with the wins starting to pile up and they were always going to find it tough against the red-hot Celtics in their last outing.
These teams last met at the start of the season and it was the Rockets who romped to a 137-109 win, so I’m not surprised to see them open as massive favorites here. However, the Nets are much better than they were at the start of the season, and I think they can at least keep this one to single digits at home.