How about them Rockets? Down 3-1 in the Western Conference semifinal series against the LA Clippers, James Harden and his crew finally got it together and strung three-straight wins to snatch a spot in the conference final. It’s a tougher route to the conference final compared to the one taken by the Golden State Warriors, who took six games to send Memphis packing in the second round.
Will Houston steal a win on the road in Game 1? Or will Golden State extend its win streak over the Rockets? You can also click here for a full preview of Game 1 between the Cavs and the Hawks.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Game 1 Preview
Game 1 – May 19, 9:00 PM ET – Houston Rockets (+10) at Golden State Warriors (-10); total: 219.5—view all NBA lines
Game 2 – May 21, 9:00 PM ET – Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors
Game 3 – May 23, 9:00 PM ET – Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets
Game 4 – May 25, 9:00 PM ET – Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets
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
Betting on the Houston Rockets
As usual, James Harden did the heavy lifting in the Rockets’ 113-110 Game 7 win over LA on Sunday. In that game, Harden poured in 31 points and added eight assists. Harden’s going to be the Rockets’ major source of points against Golden State, but he’s also the type of player who’s willing to find open teammates for better scoring opportunities. Thus far this postseason, Harden leads the team in points (26.7 PPG) and assists (7.0 APG).
[sc:NBA240banner ]Dwight Howard, meanwhile, scored only 16 points but grabbed 15 rebounds in Houston’s Sunday win over the Clips. Howard played like the old Howard in the second round, wherein he averaged 17.6 points and 13.9 rebounds per game. If Howard can carry that form into the next round, then the Rockets are poised to continue their rule inside the paint. The Rockets are averaging 50.5 points in the paint per game, the most by any team this postseason.
Despite the brilliance of Harden and Howard, the Rockets wouldn’t have completed the series comeback if not for the contributions of their midseason pickups.
Josh Smith and Corey Brewer proved their worth in the previous round, as they averaged 15.0 and 14.3 points, respectively, over the Rockets’ three-game win streak to end the series. Smith and Brewer have been vital pieces for the Rockets’ bench that averages 33.3 points per game this postseason. By comparison, Golden State’s relievers only put up 23.1 points per game in these playoffs. If both players continue to be as productive against the Warriors, then that should be a huge load off their starters’ shoulders.
The over is 5-0 in the last five road games of the Rockets, who are averaging a playoff-best 110.4 points away from home.
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Betting on the Golden State Warriors
Can the Warriors be stopped? Another question, can Stephen Curry be contained? Behind Curry’s fantastic performances, Golden State was able to survive the gritty Grizzlies in the second round. As a prize, the Warriors get a seat in the conference final against a team they’ve had little problem of beating in the regular season. The Warriors are 4-0 SU and ATS in their four meetings with Houston prior to these playoffs.
Curry has been playing like the MVP that he is this postseason. He paces the team in points (28.2 PPG) and assists (6.8 PPG), plus he makes 4.6 threes per game so far in these playoffs. Curry had to do a lot in the Memphis series because the Grizzlies were doing a decent job of keeping Klay Thompson in check. In that series, Thompson was held down to just 17.8 points per game, which was significantly lower than his average of 25 points in the first round. But with Tony Allen no longer there to harass him, Thompson might see his numbers go up once again against Houston. In four regular-season meetings this season with the Rockets, Thompson averaged 21.5 points.
As for Golden State’s big men, Andrew Bogut and Draymond Green will have to find a way to keep Dwight Howard from dominating inside. As mentioned above, the Rockets are the best inside-scoring team this postseason with Howard averaging 12.8 points in the paint per game. Bogut is averaging 5.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game this postseason. Green, on the other hand, is more of a two-way player, averaging 13.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
Writer’s Prediction
Golden State (-10) wins, 114-108.
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