The set-up: Quite naturally, the city of Houston is all wrapped-up with the Astros, who will host the Dodgers Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the 2017 World Series. However, that city's NBA team, the Rockets, tipped-off the 2017-18 season with a stirring 122-121 comeback win at Golden State back on Opening Night (Oct. 17th). Houston is 4-1 and will visit the Charlotte Hornets Friday night for the second of a three-game road trip. The Hornets have opened their season 2-2 (0-2 on the road but 2-0 at home).

Houston: The Rockets opened a three-game trip with a 105-104 victory at Philadelphia on Wednesday, with a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Eric Gordon providing the difference. Center Clint Capela was brilliant in the win, scoring 16 points, grabbing 20 rebounds and adding four blocks. SF Trevor Ariza (foot) sat out Wednesday and is day-to-day plus Chris Paul (strained left knee) hasn't played since the season-opener. Gordon had 29 points (24.6 PPG) and James Harden 27 (26.4 & 9.6 APG) but neither shot well from long distance in the game. Gordon went just 5-for-16 from beyond the arc, Harden 2-for-8. Houston is still not where it wants to be on offense, shooting just 28.1 percent from three-point range.

Charlotte: PG Kemba Walker (21.0 & 6.0 APG), SG Jeremy Lamb (15.8) and reserve PF Frank Kaminsky (15.8) are off to good starts for Charlotte, as is the team's biggest addition from the off-season, Dwight Howard. The one-time Rocket is averaging 13.3 PPG and a whopping 18.8 RPG. The Hornets are 0-2 on the road but have won their two home games by scores of 111-96 and 109-91.

The pick: Houston has gone Under in four straight since that season-opening win over Golden State. Charlotte has yet to go Over in a single time in four games. But I'll look for that to change here as they've scored 109 and 110 points in two home games. The Rockets have scored at least 105 in all but one game (their one loss). Make the Over a 10* play.