Not so fast, Golden State Warriors. Behind James Harden’s eruption in Game 4, the Houston Rockets prevented Golden State from punching its ticket to the NBA Finals. But with the series now headed back to Golden State, will the Warriors finally pull the plug on Houston? Or will the Rockets go back to back? You can also click here for a full preview of Game 4 between the Cavs and the Hawks.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Game 5 Preview
Series Scores & 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 –Golden State Warriors 115 at Houston Rockets 128
Game 5 – May 27, 9:00 PM ET – Houston Rockets (+10) at Golden State Warriors (-10); total: 217.5—view all NBA lines
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
James Harden has a lot of rocket fuel left in his tank. Harden poured in a playoff career-high 45 points in the Rockets’ 128-115 win in Game 4 to keep their hopes alive in this postseason. With a new lease on life, the Rockets now take the road again looking to extend the series for at least one more game. The Rockets are 3-0 ATS in their last three games away from Toyota Center.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Harden carried Houston on his back in Game 4, as he managed to put up a big game on Monday after a lackluster performance in Game 3. In that game, Harden scored just 17 points on an ugly 3-for-16 shooting from the field. It was a big contrast from his 13-for-22 shooting night in Game 4, which included seven three-pointers. Harden is averaging 28 points per game thus far these playoffs. The Rockets are at their best when Harden is in the zone and when their threes are falling.
Apart from Harden’s eruption, the Rockets were able to win Game 4 largely because of their three-point marksmanship. Overall, the Rockets knocked down 17 treys in that game. The Rockets averaged 10.6 threes over their 16 wins this postseason. Houston’s outside shooting will be an even bigger factor this coming Wednesday if Dwight Howard will be suspended because of a flagrant foul he committed on Monday.
Six of Houston’s three-pointers in Game 4 came from Josh Smith and Trevor Ariza, who finished with 20 and 17 points, respectively. The Rockets’ peripheral players will have to lend Harden substantial support in Game 5 if the Rockets are to force a Game 6. Smith is averaging 13.6 PPG these playoffs, while Ariza is putting up 13.1 PPG.
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Betting on the Golden State Warriors
Although they lost Game 4 by a big margin, the Warriors still have history on their side as no NBA team has ever completed a comeback after facing a 3-0 series deficit. But Golden State’s biggest positive takeaway from its loss on Monday was that Stephen Curry was just fine after taking a nasty spill in the second quarter of Game 4. With Curry escaping injury, the Warriors aim to finish the series at home, where they are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games.
Losing Curry (23 points in Game 4) would’ve been devastating to the Warriors. Curry is the focal point of Golden State’s offense that ranks first in offensive efficiency this postseason with 107.8 points per 100 possessions. Fortunately, Curry is healthy enough to bring his team-leading playoffs averages of 29.4 points and 6.4 assists to Game 5. The Warriors need Curry’s production to counter whatever Harden will throw at them in Game 5. Otherwise, the Warriors will have to find a way to clamp down the Rockets’ superstar.
Klay Thompson is the Warriors’ top option to defend Harden, but he clearly struggled in containing the Rockets star in Game 4. That said, the Warriors would rather see him get dominated on defense than see his offensive production dip. Thompson, who scored 24 points in Game 4, is averaging 19.7 points on 45.3 percent shooting thus far in these playoffs.
The Warriors put up 100.1 points per game at home this postseason.
Writer’s Prediction
Golden State (-10) wins, 114-105.
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