Houston Rockets Betting Preview
The Houston Rockets needed to respond after dropping the series opener, and they did just that with a dominant 109-94 home win over the Warriors in Game 2 on Wednesday. Jalen Green drained eight 3-pointers to lead the team with 38 points on 13 of 25 shooting, Alperen Sengun added 17 points with 16 rebounds and seven assists while Dillon Brooks chipped in with 16 points. As a team, the Rockets shot 45 percent from the field and 15 of 40 from the 3-point line, but this win was more about their defense as they restricted the Warriors to just 18 points in the first quarter.
This opened up a double-digit lead, and they just kept their foot on the gas until the lead ballooned to 20 points. Tari Eason provided the spark off the benc with 14 points on six of nine shooting off the bench, but Fred VanVleet had another rough game as he shot just two of eight for his seven points.
Golden State Warriors Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors will be hoping for a better result after falling short in a tough loss in Game 2. Stephen Curry led the team with 20 points, five rebounds and nine assists, Moses Moody and Quinten Post each scored 12 points while Pat Spencer chipped in with 11 points. As a team, the Warriors shot just 41 percent from the field and 17 of 43 from the 3-point line as they got off to a terrible start and never truly looked like a threat after falling into an early double-digit deficit.
It didn’t help that they lost Jimmy Butler III to injury in the first quarter, but they needed more support from players like Buddy Hield who scored just five points off the bench. Brandin Podziemski finished scoreless on zero of five shooting.
Why the Golden State Warriors will win
- The Warriors have won each of their last 18 playoff home games against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Rockets have lost each of their last nine Western Conference First Round road games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Warriors have covered the spread in each of their last seven playoff home games following a loss.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as underdogs against Pacific Division opponents.
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Rockets have won each of their last nine night games following a home win.
- The Warriors have lost three of their last four games as home favorites.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in eight of the Warriors’ last nine games at Chase Center.
- The Warriors have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as home favorites.
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
- Steven Adams ranks 1st amongst qualified players for rebounds per 36 minutes (14.8) this season.
- Alperen Sengun ranks 5th in the league for points in the paint (1012) this season.
Warriors vs Rockets Prediction
The Rockets are still missing Jae’Sean Tate and Jock Landale, while the Warriors are keeping eyes on Jimmy Butler III and Gary Payton II, who are both listed as questionable for this meeting. This is definitely a game where you should check the lineups before tipoff given the injury cloud hanging over the Warriors’ Butler. With that being said, the Warriors are a veteran team with championship experience, and they always play their best when the stakes are highest. The Rockets hold the momentum, but the Warriors are in desperate need of a win now, and I think they can get the job done behind big games from Curry and someone like Podziemski.