The playoffs keep rolling along tonight with the NBA and NHL dishing out two must-see conference final games. After a one-day break, the NBA returns with a bang this evening with Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets.
Not to be outdone, the NHL has also prepared a mouth-watering clash with Chicago and Anaheim locking horns in Game 2 of their own Western Conference duel. Who will grab the advantage in these two pivotal playoff contests? Read on below for a quick breakdown of these two important games and while you’re at it, you can check out our previews of Cleveland vs. Atlanta and Tampa Bay vs. New York.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors (9:00 PM ET)
Line: Houston Rockets (+10) at Golden State Warriors (-10); total: 219.0 – view all NBA lines
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Houston Rockets will head to the Western Conference Finals with momentum on their side after completing a stunning series comeback against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round. The Rockets became just the ninth team in NBA history to win a best-of-seven series after trailing 3-1, beating the Clippers, 113-100, Sunday in Game 7.
James Harden led the way for the Rockets in that do-or-die game, putting up 31 points and eight assists. He will need to put up even greater numbers for Houston in the next round as standing in their way in the conference final are the top-seeded Golden State Warriors.
Just like Houston, the Warriors overcame an early series deficit in the previous round, ousting a tough Memphis Grizzlies squad in six games. Stephen Curry was phenomenal in the series-clinching victory, scoring 32 points in Golden State’s 108-95 win. The newly-minted MVP has been superb for the Warriors this postseason, averaging 28.2 points and 6.8 assists per game, all team-high numbers.
The Warriors are 4-0 against the Rockets this past regular season.
Click here for an in-depth preview of this game.
Writer’s Prediction
Golden State wins, 107-95, to go 1-0 up in the series.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Anaheim Ducks (9:00 PM ET)
Line: Chicago Blackhawks (+115) at Anaheim Ducks (-135); total: 5.0 – view all Stanley Cup lines
The Anaheim Ducks drew first blood in their best-of-seven showdown with the Chicago Blackhawks, posting an emphatic 4-1 victory in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals Sunday night. Hampus Lindholm, Nate Thompson and Jakob Silfverberg each had a goal and an assist for the Ducks who improved to 9-1 this postseason.
The huge win wouldn’t be possible, though, without the sheer brilliance of goalie Frederik Andersen. The 25-year-old was phenomenal between the pipes in Game 1, recording a whopping 32 saves against Chicago for an incredible .970 SV%. For the Blackhawks to level the series in Game 2, they will need to take advantage of their power play opportunities. The Blackhawks went 0-for-3 in the power play in the series opener against Anaheim.
The onus is on Patrick Kane to impose himself much more in Game 2. Kane has already notched seven goals in these playoffs but was held scoreless by Anaheim in the opening game.
The Ducks are 6-4 in their last 10 games against the Blackhawks.
Writer’s Prediction
Chicago wins, 3-1, to level the series at one game apiece. Create a betting account now and bet on the best games for tonight.
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