Golden State (3-2) at Houston (2-3)
When: Friday, May 10th, 2019
Where: Toyota Center,
Houston, TX
Time: 9:00 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Houston -5.5/212
The Golden State Warriors survived Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal series versus the Houston Rockets despite losing their best player before halftime when Kevin Durant left with a right calf strain. Golden State will look to close out their best-of-seven series on the road Friday without Durant, but are rare seven-point underdogs. The 2018 Western Conference finals between these two teams seem to be similar in that the Rockets lost point guard Chris Paul for the series to a hamstring injury, sustained in Game 5. Houston won that game and secured a 3-2 series lead, but the Warriors went on to claim the series with a home win in Game 6 and another in Game 7 on the road. Now it is the Rockets who are healthy, facing a series deficit. Golden State hung on for a 104-99 win Wednesday by reverting to their championship form pre-Durant. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson combined for 19 of the Warriors’ 32 points in the fourth quarter with Draymond Green even getting in on the action with a critical 3-pointer at the 3:22 mark. After an MRI on Thursday, Durant was ruled out for Game 6 and Sunday’s Game 7, should the Rockets extend the series and follow the pattern set by the home team claiming each game in this series. How the Rockets adjust defensively in Game 6 will be key. The Warriors were able to take advantage last postseason as Paul watched Games 6 and 7 from the bench. Maybe the Rockets can return the favor with Durant in street clothes.
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Durant was averaging 34.2 points per game this postseason and Golden State head coach Steve Kerr tried to stay positive by joking about not having his star player for Friday. “Well, we’ll just find somebody on the bench who can give us 35 points, two blocks and 11 boards and nine assists. “We trust each other,” added Kerr. The Warriors used reserve center Kevon Looney at critical moments Wednesday and he played a vital role in Golden State winning the rebounding battle once again. The Warriors grabbed 12 offensive boards and finished with a +6 advantage on field-goal attempts. Thompson enjoyed his best game of the series with 27 points on 11-of-20 shooting in Game 5 while Curry came alive down the stretch and finished with 25 points.
Houston superstar James Harden finished with 31 points on 10-of-16 shooting on Wednesday but was asked about why he only attempted one field goal over the final eight minutes. “I mean, I don’t know,” Harden told reporters. “I have to go back and look at the game. Whether it’s other guys were getting shots, open looks, trying to make the right plays at certain points in the game, I’m not sure.” Paul had a terrible game which also made a difference in the Game 5 loss. The point guard managed just 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting, including 0-of-6 from 3-point territory. Power forward PJ Tucker recorded 13 points and 10 rebounds on Wednesday – his third double-double of the series.
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Its awfully tempting to take Golden State and the seven points in this one, but Houston will have a big advantage playing at home and not having to worry about Durant. This series is destined for a Game 7 and the Rockets will make that happen in a big way Friday.
Pick: Rockets -7
Warriors are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games.
Warriors are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Warriors are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
Warriors are 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games following a straight up win.
Warriors are 5-15-1 ATS in their last 21 vs. NBA Southwest.
Warriors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Warriors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Warriors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Warriors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Warriors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Warriors are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Conference Semifinals games.
Rockets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Rockets are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 home games.
Rockets are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 vs. NBA Pacific.
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Rockets are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games following a ATS win.
Rockets are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 Friday games.
Rockets are 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 10-2-1 in Warriors last 13 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 4-1-1 in Warriors last 6 road games.
Over is 4-1-1 in Warriors last 6 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 4-1-1 in Warriors last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Over is 4-1-1 in Warriors last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 10-3-1 in Warriors last 14 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Over is 3-1-1 in Warriors last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 19-7-1 in Warriors last 27 games playing on 1 days rest.
Over is 5-2 in Warriors last 7 games following a straight up win.
Under is 5-2-1 in Warriors last 8 Conference Semifinals games.
Under is 3-0-1 in Rockets last 4 Friday games.
Under is 5-1-1 in Rockets last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 18-5-3 in Rockets last 26 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 7-2-1 in Rockets last 10 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 6-2-1 in Rockets last 9 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-1 in Rockets last 5 games following a ATS win.
Under is 6-2-1 in Rockets last 9 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 14-5-2 in Rockets last 21 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 19-7-1 in Rockets last 27 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 8-3-2 in Rockets last 13 home games.
Under is 20-8-2 in Rockets last 30 overall.
Under is 5-2-1 in Rockets last 8 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 5-2-1 in Rockets last 8 vs. NBA Pacific.
Under is 35-16-1 in Rockets last 52 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 18-7-1 in the last 26 meetings.
Under is 20-8-1 in the last 29 meetings in Houston.
Warriors are 2-5 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Houston.
Warriors are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
