San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets Preview
Where: Toyota Center – Houston, Texas
When: Wednesday, May 5, 2017 – 9:30 PM ET
Line: San Antonio Spurs (+4.5) at Houston Rockets (-4.5); total: 215.0 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
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Betting on the San Antonio Spurs (+160)
Gregg Poppovich proved once again that his team is well-built for responding to ugly defeats. Following the series opener that saw them get embarrassed by 27 points, the Spurs emphatically returned fire in Game 2 with a 121-96 beating.
They shot 54.5 percent from the field and showcased crisp ball movement that resulted into 27 assists. Kawhi Leonard redeemed himself from a lukewarm Game 1, tallying 34 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and three steals, including an efficient 13-for-16 shooting.
It’s a huge victory for the Spurs, as they erased doubts in their overall abilities to matchup well with the Rockets’ high-powered offense in a playoff series. Along with a successful plan of attack, they were also able to impose superb defense, which was evident in dominating the final period, 33-13.
The one bad news from the big night, however, is the leg injury of Tony Parker, who went down with under nine minutes to go in the game. The team revealed on Friday that the 16-year veteran will be out for the remainder of the playoffs.
With that, Leonard can be expected to put on an even more entertaining show on both ends, especially since Houston is a defensively-challenged squad. As for the Spurs’ $84 million investment, LaMarcus Aldridge, he’ll simply have to step up. He’s only averaging 12 points on 39.2 percent shooting in his last four games.
Betting on the Houston Rockets (-190)
The Rockets entered Wednesday’s contest equipped with their ever explosive offense and an added momentum… until both suddenly imploded on their faces. They all saw it and felt it, but they had no idea what hit them in Game 2.
Offensively and defensively, they seem shocked as to what the opposition had in store. Almost everyone looked like they were just there to watch the Spurs play.
James Harden shot 3-for-17, Trevor Ariza and Lou Williams combined to go 3-for-12, while the bigs – Clint Capela and Nene Hilario – only grabbed four boards together.
If not for Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon combining for 33 points and seven threes, who knows how worse the score would be for the Rockets.
Nevertheless, they still have home court advantage, and Game 3 will now shift to Houston’s side, so that’s somehow good.
Remember, though, that they went 0-2 in the two home games with the Spurs during the regular season, and in those meetings, they scored 15 less points than their team average and shot under 39 percent.
Writer’s Prediction
The Rockets (-4.5) take Game 3, as the Spurs struggle without Tony Parker, 110-101.
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