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The Houston Rockets (64-31 SU, 56-39 ATS) literally played about the perfect game in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, and they were still beaten by the Golden State Warriors (76-17 SU, 52-40-1 ATS). They'll have to be even better on Thursday night in Game 2 to somehow squeak out an upset.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Even though Houston covered the 10.5-point spread in Game 1 and the total stayed just under the 220 point outpost, this game opened up basically in the same spot at Houston +10 and 220. Get used to seeing numbers like this for the total; this is the eighth straight Houston game with a total of at least 215.
INJURY REPORT
Dwight Howard was seen with a rather bulky ice pack on his knee at the end of Game 1, and was classified as having a bruised knee. Bruised knees don't take ice packs that size, even on a man who is that big. If Howard can't play, consider Houston's chances of advancing slim to none in spite of the fact that he didn't have that much of an impact on Tuesday night with seven points and 13 assists.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"It really stretches people out. Houston does the same thing. It was an interesting chess match, because they like to go small and we like to go small." – Warriors head coach Steve Kerr on the small lineup he used on the court on Tuesday to go on a 25-6 run to end the first half
BETTING TRENDS
- The Rockets have gone 4-0 ATS since falling behind the Clippers 3-1 in the Western Conference Semifinals.
- The Warriors are only 2-4 ATS at home here in the playoffs after going 26-14-1 ATS in the regular season at Oracle Arena.
- The UNDER is 2-0 in Houston's last two games after playing the first six games of the Western Conference Semifinals against Los Angeles over the total.
KEY STATS
27: The number of minutes in Game 1 in which Golden State went with a combination of players on the court where the biggest man on the floor was 6-foot-8. Those small lineups went +19 against the Rockets, while the rest of the lineups on the court struggled mightily, especially in the first half.
52: The number of points in the paint the Rockets scored in Game 1 of this series. Simply put, Houston has to continue to pound the ball into the painted area regardless as to whether Howard plays or not to frustrate Golden State’s defense. That was the one aspect of Game 1 which really went right for the Rockets, and they must continue to capitalize on that in Game 2.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Houston isn't going to win this series, but we still feel like it picked up a bit of an emotional victory in Game 1 by proving that it can hang in there even without Howard contributing all that much.
James Harden is once again going to have to be a superstar, and it would really help if Stephen Curry didn't go on a three-point tear as he has been known to do and did in Game 2. Even still though, Houston has the formula to be able to pull off the upset on the road at some point. We're not sure this is the game where it happens, but 10 is a heck of a lot of points.
Golden State 106, Houston 101
BookMaker opened the spread for this Thursday game before anyone else. Golden State was introduced at -10.5, while the total surfaced at 220. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here, and start wagering today! The game between Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors will tip off Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 9:00 p.m. ET at Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA. The contest will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
