On paper this appears to be a game which is a lock to go over the total. However, when it comes to sports betting it's not as easy as it appears many more times than not. This total in this contest is a textbook example of such.

Washington is coming off a 137-135 loss at Detroit. Houston has a 6-3 season record and has outscored their opponents by an average of +9.7 points per game. NBA teams like Houston with a total of 230.0 or greater and they possess a point per game differential of +9.0 or better, and they're facing an opponent like Washington who allowed 130 points or more in their previous game, resulted in those contests playing 34-11 (75.6%) to the under since the 2016-2017 season began. The average total during those 45 contests was 236.9 and there was a combined 231.2 points scored per game.

Furthermore, Houston is averaging 17 turnovers committed per game this season and the Wizards have turned the ball over 19 times per contest. Houston is shooting a terrific 42.8% from beyond the 3-point line this season and the Wizards are converting on 39.4% of those long-distance attempts. Since the start of this NBA season, any game involving teams that both shoot 36.5% or better from 3-point territory and each average 16 turnovers or more committed per contest, have resulted in all 8 games in that exact situation going under the total.

Bet this game to go under the total of 234.0 or higher.

Oakland has faced 2 very good teams to start their season in Purdue and Michigan. Both contests easily sailed over the total and there was a combined average of 181.5 points scored per game. Oakland allowed 121 and 87 points in those 2 defeats while averaging 77.5 points per contest themselves.

Houston hasn't shot the ball well in their first 2 wins versus Towson and Lehigh. But going up against a porous defensive team like Houston may be just what the doctor ordered. Houston did have 60 and 61 field goal attempts in their first 2 games which is high by their past standards. Oakland's first 2 games averaged a combined 135 field goal attempts per contest which is a very fast pace when considering neither contest went overtime.

Bet this game to go over the total of 139.0 or lower.

This looks like a textbook trap to play the home underdog Miami-Ohio. Miami is 3-1 at home and 4-1 in conference play this season. Conversely, Toledo is 0-4 SU on the road and trails Miami by 1.0 games in the conference standings. Yet, it's the Toledo Rockets who come up as a road favorite and by more than a field to boot with no pun intended. The difference in this contest will be an excellent Toledo defense that allowing just a tad over 14.0 points per game this season that includes 11.6 points and 218.4 yards per contest during conference. The Rockets stop units has allowed 91 yards or fewer rushing in 7 of their last 8 games and that includes all 5 conference matchups. Toledo has also held their 5 conference opponents this season to just a 29.6% conversion rate on 3rd down. Compare that to the Miami defense that's permitted conference opponents to convert on 42.9% of their 3rd down tries. 

Bet on the Toledo Rockets as a point-spread favorite of 4.0 or lower.