Golden State (2-2) at Houston (2-2)
When: Thursday, May 24th 2018
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Time: 9:05 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Houston -1/224.5
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The Houston Rockets knew they needed a better defensive effort in Game 4 after getting scorched in the previous game by the Golden State Warriors. The Rockets came through when it mattered most – the fourth quarter – and regained momentum and home court advantage in their best-of-seven Western Conference Finals series with the Warriors on Tuesday with a 95-92 victory. James Harden scored 30 points, Chris Paul added 27 and Houston survived the latest second-half flurry by Stephen Curry in Tuesday’s Game 4 win. Golden State missed their final six shots from the floor and their NBA-record postseason winning streak at home ended at 16 games. The Rockets shook off a 12-0 deficit to start the game, then won it with defense down the stretch. “I thought this is the highest level we’ve every played defensively, without a doubt,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said, “because we’re talking about the best offensive team ever.” Houston allowed 126 points on 52.2% shooting in a 41-point loss in Game 3 but came out with a renewed passion on the defensive end in Game 4 and held the Warriors to 12 points in the fourth quarter. Game 5 takes place Thursday night back in Houston were the teams split the first two games of this series, trading blowout victories.
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Golden State held Houston to 39 percent shooting in Game 4 but were blown-out in quarters two and four, leading to concerns about inconsistency. The Warriors shot 39.3% from the floor in the loss and All-Star shooting guard Klay Thompson was held to 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting, giving him an average of 10.3 points over the last three games after going off for 28 in Game 1. Thompson is battling a knee injury and is questionable for Game 5 in Houston. Small forward Andre Iguodala (leg) is also questionable after sitting out Game 4. Kevin Durant recorded his first double-double of the series with 27 points and 12 rebounds on Tuesday.
Houston is now in control of what is turned into a best-of-three series with two of those games in Houston, as the Rockets seek to knock the Warriors off their three-year reign as Western Conference champs. Paul battled a foot injury in Game 4 but turned in his best scoring effort of the series with 27 points on 10-of-20 shooting, but shooting guard Eric Gordon is 3-of-16 from 3-point range over the last two games..
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Both teams have proven they can win away from home, so this makes predicting this one a little tougher. Houston did a good job off wearing-down the Warriors and weathering the storm until Golden State had no more gas left in the fourth. Thompson’s injury along with Iguodala is a big concern for the Warriors. Houston has the momentum and the home court in this one. I’m taking the Rockets.
Pick: Rockets +1
- Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.
- Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
- Warriors are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 Conference Finals games.
- Warriors are 10-23 ATS in their last 33 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Warriors are 5-13 ATS in their last 18 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Warriors are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Warriors are 5-16 ATS in their last 21 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Warriors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games.
- Rockets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Rockets are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
- Rockets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Thursday games.
- Rockets are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 vs. NBA Pacific.
- Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 4-0-1 in Warriors last 5 games following a straight up loss.
- Over is 7-1 in Warriors last 8 Thursday games.
- Under is 6-1 in Warriors last 7 overall.
- Under is 6-1 in Warriors last 7 vs. Western Conference.
- Under is 6-1 in Warriors last 7 vs. NBA Southwest.
- Under is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Under is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 road games.
- Under is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Under is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Under is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Under is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Under is 18-7-1 in Warriors last 26 games following a ATS loss.
- Under is 5-0 in Rockets last 5 Thursday games.
- Under is 6-1 in Rockets last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Under is 13-3 in Rockets last 16 vs. NBA Pacific.
- Under is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 Conference Finals games.
- Under is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Under is 11-4 in Rockets last 15 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 32-12 in Rockets last 44 vs. Western Conference.
- Under is 22-10 in Rockets last 32 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Under is 15-7 in Rockets last 22 home games.
- Under is 38-18 in Rockets last 56 overall.
- Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in Houston.
- Warriors are 10-4 ATS in the last 14 meetings in Houston.
