When the Houston Rockets' preseason win total line came out a 48.5, I had to wipe my glasses and check again. Vegas doesn't make mistakes. And if that's the line, I realize that's where the sportsbooks are getting the right balance of wagers.
So, apparently, the betting public didn't get it, because this is a team that won 52 games last season despite not having a point guard and being sans Steven Adams for the second half of their schedule. Everyone remembers the Houston team that went out with a postseason whimper and, outside of begging Kevin Durant to make contested jumpers, looked borderline inept in the half-court. But the Rockets were still the No. 8 offense and No. 6 defense a season ago.
They went 1-7 in overtime games. The 52 wins were about the worst outcome possible, and with Fred VanVleet and Adams back ... their line was 48.5? It seemed like too easy of a bet, and through the first week of the season, it still does.
The Rockets are 4-0 and look like an entirely different offense. Durant has talked about the difference VanVleet has made in allowing the Rockets to slot back into their collectively comfortable positioning. No more point guard by committee, which allows Durant to operate more off ball.
Last year he had to initiate pick-and-roll offense on almost 18% of his possessions, per Synergy, but this year that's down to 7.3% while his spot-up and transition rates are up. That's easier offense for him, and he's currently averaging 23.5 points on 54/47 shooting splits. But Durant is going to make shots in any offense.
It's the other guys that are benefiting from the improved spacing and flow. Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. are catching on the move and flying downhill. Houston is up three assists a game from last year and is creating almost 10 more points per game off those assists.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
