The Houston Rockets are staring at a big 3-0 hole, one which none of the 116 other NBA teams have succeeded to get out of. They also face the red-hot Golden State Warriors, who are just one win short of an NBA Finals berth.
Can the Rockets cause an upset to live for at least one more game? Or will the Warriors make short work of Houston to get plenty of rest before the NBA Finals? We’ve collected the opinions of some of the brightest basketball experts below to answer your questions. Read on to find out their takes for this do-or-die Game 4 for the Rockets.
Dig into this crucial game even more with our complete Game 4 preview.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Experts Predictions for Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets Game 4
Series Scores and Schedule
Game 1 – Houston Rockets 106 at Golden State Warriors 110
Game 2 – Houston Rockets 98 at Golden State Warriors 99
Game 3 – Golden State Warriors 115 at Houston Rockets 80
Game 4 – May 25, 9:00 PM ET – Golden State Warriors (-5) at Houston Rockets (+5); total 214.0 – view all NBA lines
Game 5* – May 27, 9:00 PM ET – Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors
Game 6*– May 29, 9:00 PM ET – Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets
Game 7* – May 31, 9:00 PM ET – Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors
*If necessary
Rant Sports
| Expert | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Dan Schultz | Warriors, 105-95 |
[sc:NBA240banner ]Dan Schultz of Rant Sports believes that the Warriors punch their ticket to the NBA Finals with a resounding 10-point victory in Game 4. Schultz notes the Rockets’ affinity for isolation plays and lack of off-ball movement to be one of the team’s key weaknesses. The Rockets rely too much on James Harden to win them games. But the bearded super star can’t do everything alone.
Curry has also been impressive in the conference finals, Schultz notes. The reigning MVP has upped his game, finishing Game 3 with 40 points, five rebounds and seven assists. It’s not just Curry though. The Warriors have an excellent stable of players capable of rising to the challenge and a wizard of a coach in Steve Kerr on the sideline.
Covers
| Expert | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Covers | Warriors, 112-95 |
Covers predicts the Warriors to complete the sweep to book their ticket to the NBA Finals. It notes Curry’s stellar sharpshooting from beyond the arc to play a huge part in handing the Warriors a victory. Curry has set the single-season playoff record for most threes made with 64. He also became the first player to drain five or more threes in five consecutive games.
The Warriors are also a deep team capable of getting plenty of production from supporting players. Covers notes Andrew Bogut to have a significant contribution to Golden State’s success in this series. Bogut had 12 points and 12 rebounds in Game 3 and is averaging 13 points and 10 boards in the past two games.
Basketball Insiders
| Expert | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Ben Dowsett | Warriors win |
Ben Dowsett of Basketball Insiders credits Kerr’s tweaks and adjustments for the Warriors’ 115-80 drubbing of Houston. Kerr removed Klay Thompson as Harden’s primary defender. Harrison Barnes got the nod with Andre Iguodala filling in at times against the MVP runner-up. The result was amazing. Harden was limited to 3-of-16 shooting, including 1-of-9 when defended by Barnes or Iguodala.
The Rockets can fight back if Dwight Howard and Harden could click together, Dowsett believes. Howard was the only Rocket to play at or near his best in Game 3 with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Pick and rolls involving Harden and Howard should be effective for the Rockets. Houston could also do well to run Harden through more off-ball action before his catches to draw favorable defenders.
But Dowsett believes that there’s little to nothing left to keep the Rockets going, which should complete the sweep for the Warriors.
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