Washington Wizards vs. Houston Rockets Prediction: Can Kyle Kuzma Step Up Tonight Against Rockets?
The Washington Wizards will head on the road to face the banged-up Rockets. Can Kyle Kuzma step up and carry the Wizards on Thursday night in Houston? Ben Rajavuori provides his top prop pick in Wizards vs. Rockets.
Ben Rajavuori - March 14, 2024, 5:29 PM EDT
5 minWashington Wizards vs. Houston Rockets Prediction: Can Kyle Kuzma Step Up Tonight Against Rockets?
The Washington Wizards travel to Houston tonight to take on the Rockets from Toyota Center at 8 PM ET. The Wizards are entering this game off a loss against the Grizzlies on Tuesday, scoring just 97 points to snap a two-game winning streak. The Rockets are entering this game off three consecutive wins against the Trailblazers, Kings, and Spurs. They now hold a record of 30–35 and are sitting at 11th place in the Western Conference. What should we expect tonight?
Wizards vs. Rockets DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: March 14, 2024
- Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: NBA League Pass
Washington Wizards vs. Houston Rockets Prediction
It has been a tumultuous season for the Wizards, but Kyle Kuzma has enjoyed being the star player out in D.C. He is averaging 22.5 points per game, which leads the team, and is also grabbing 6.6 rebounds per game and dishing out 4.2 assists per game. While Kuzma usually plays at the forward position, he has recently started at the five due to injuries. The Wizards are down Marvin Bagley III and Richaun Holmes, which means Kuzma is having to play down low. While the Wizards are playing small ball with Kuzma at the five, this has given him increased chances for rebounds and assists. he is averaging 6.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists over the first six games of March, averaging 12 combined per game. That is his highest average of this combination in a month so far this season, and it is not a coincidence. Kuzma’s line for his rebounds plus assists tonight is 11.5 with some juice on the over. However, I will happily eat the juice in this spot, as Kuzma has had 12+ rebounds plus assists in four of six games in March so far. With Kuzma at the five, he has averaged 14 rebound chances per game at the position. He is also averaging just under 10 potential assists per game in March and is converting 5.2 per game overall. He’s gotten close to touching a triple-double multiple times, as he had eight rebounds and nine assists against Charlotte on March 8 and 14 rebounds and eight assists against the Timberwolves back on January 24. He does not have a triple-double yet on the season, but this would seem like a good spot to do so. While the Rockets have played good defense this season, they have actually averaged the seventh-highest pace of play over their last 10 games. Alparen Sengun is also out for the Rockets, leaving Jabari Smith as the starting center. This is a good matchup that Kuzma can take advantage of on the boards. Overall, this line has failed to adjust for Kuzma playing at the five and playing more minutes. He could easily touch a double-double tonight, and maybe even flirt with a triple-double.
Washington Wizards vs. Houston Rockets Prediction
Pick: Kyle Kuzma Over 11.5 Rebounds + Assists (-130) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
WIN $25 GIFT CARD ON THURSDAY'S NBA SLATE
Think you know what will happen on today's NBA slate? Answer the questions below and get the perfect score for your chance to win a $25 Fanatics gift card.
NBA ODDS
