BetOnline.com has the Houston Rockets -7 point favorites against the New Orleans Hornets with a over/under set at 192 points.

Inexplicably, the Houston Rockets continue winning despite the absence of Yao Ming. Yao was lost for the season with a foot injury but Houston has gone 4-0 without the big center, running its winning streak to a league-best 16 games as of Thursday. Swingman Tracy McGrady has averaged 24.0 points per game in his last three starts and will be looked upon to carry the load with Yao out of the lineup. It will be a tough task, as he was averaging 22.0 points and 10.8 boards per game.
 
After a three-game losing streak in late February, the Hornets have elevated their play, winning their past two games and four of five overall. The offense has picked up the pace and averaged 111.5 points per game in those past four wins, more than 10 points above the season average. As usual, point guard Chris Paul has been a major catalyst. In New Orleans' last four wins he's averaged 24.7 points and 14.2 assists per game. Where Paul goes, so do the Hornets.
 
These teams have split the season series 1-1 thus far, with both road teams emerging victorious. Houston is definitely the hotter team, but it can't sustain this pace without Yao for long. Get your Free NBA Pick in Now!
 
New Orleans at Houston, Saturday @ 8:30 p.m. ET

Free NBA Pick: Houston Rockets

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