Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The Houston Rockets will be hoping to square up the series after falling short to the Warriors in a pivotal 104-93 road defeat in Game 3 on Saturday. Fred VanVleet led the team with 17 points, Alperen Sengun added 15 points with 11 rebounds and four assists, while Dillon Brooks chipped in with 13 points.
As a team, the Rockets shot just 39 percent from the field and 11 of 28 from the 3-point line as they got off to a quick start and built an early 13-point lead. They then fell victim to a 23-11 run in the fourth quarter to get blown away in the end. Jalen Green had a quiet game of just nine points with five assists in 39 minutes of action, while Tari Eason shot just three of nine for his eight points off the bench.
Golden State Warriors Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors needed to defend home court and they were able to do just that by running past the Rockets in a solid win on Saturday. Stephen Curry led the team with 36 points, seven rebounds and nine assists, Buddy Hield added 17 points while Gary Payton II chipped in with 16 points on seven of nine shooting.
As a team, the Warriors shot just 43 percent from the field and 14 of 45 from the 3-point line as they got off to a slow start and managed just 18 points in the first quarter to trail going into halftime. Before they caught fire with 35 points in the fourth quarter to pull away and win comfortably despite a poor game from Quentin Post, who shot just one of seven from the field to finish with just two points.
Why the Golden State Warriors will win
- The Warriors have won each of their 14 previous Western Conference First Round home games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Rockets have lost each of their last 10 Western Conference First Round road games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games as underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
- The home team has covered the spread in seven of the Warriors’ last eight playoff games.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Warriors have lost four of their last five games as home favorites against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Rockets have won three of their last four Western Conference First Round games as underdogs following a loss.
- The Warriors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games as favorites following a home win.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in eight of the Warriors’ last 10 games at Chase Center.
Golden State Warriors Player Facts
- Stephen Curry ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FT% (93.3%) this season.
- Draymond Green is one of only three qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.0 threes, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks this season.
Houston Rockets Player Facts
- Alperen Sengun ranks 5th in the league for points in the paint (1012) this season.
- Amen Thompson ranks 2nd amongst qualified Guards for FG% (55.7%) this season.
Warriors vs Rockets Prediction
The Rockets are still missing Jae’Sean Tate but Jock Landale is expected to return, while the Warriors are still keeping an eye on Jimmy Butler III, who is listed as questionable for this one. The Rockets missed out on a big opportunity to take the lead in the series, but they had an off night, shooting just 39 percent from the field as a team.
Curry proved to us again that he only needs one teammate to have a good game for him to really open up and take over, and he could have Butler returning to the lineup. The Warriors hold the momentum in this series, but the Rockets are the more desperate team right now, and I think they can square up the series if Butler III sits out injured again for the Warriors.