Many fans wrote the Rockets off late in the regular year after a disappointing loss to Phoenix. Houston responded after that loss winning its final three games by a combined 79 points to earn this first-round matchup. Those games were against lottery-bound clubs and not the Warriors, so it’s hard to think Houston has much of a chance. But there is a chance.
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LOOK AHEAD
Houston was not one of the nine teams to beat the Warriors during the regular year, and they didn’t come close to an upset when Golden State was at full strength. The Warriors swept the three-game season series, winning by an average of 16.5 points when Stephen Curry was in the lineup. No team beat the Warriors more than once this season and it would be considered an accomplishment if the Rockets could steal more than a game.
In their first step towards capping off their 73-win season with an NBA championship, the Warriors face the Rockets in a rematch of last year’s Western Conference final. This time there isn’t much doubt regarding the outcome. After finishing 32 games ahead of Houston in the regular season standings, the Warriors are considered to be a near lock to advance to the second round. The Dubs went 39-2 at home this season and will be a double-digit favorite in Game 2.
INJURIES
Both teams are relatively healthy entering the postseason. Unlike other clubs who rested starters and key reserves down the stretch, the Warriors let it all hang out in their quest for 73 wins. The Rockets used their starters extensively over the past month as they clawed their way into a playoff spot.
KEY MATCHUP
Golden State was led all season by reigning MVP Stephen Curry, who capped his historic campaign by burying 10 three-pointers in Wednesday’s season finale to bring his total to 402. The sharp-shooting guard, who is the only player in NBA history to ever connect on 300 three-pointers in a season, averaged 30.1 points, prompting his coach Steve Kerr to say: “He just had one of the most amazing seasons anyone has had in the history of the league.” Curry averaged 30.0 points per game in the two he played against the Rockets this season, leading the Dubs to a pair of lopsided wins. He missed one contest with an injury and Golden State survived a 114-110 decision, showing just how important the soon-to-be-MVP is to his club.
QUICK PICK
There are very few basketball fans who think the Rockets have a chance of winning a game, let alone the series. Heck, even fans in Houston don’t give their beloved team much hope. A Houston TV station recently conducted a poll where 97 percent of the respondents said the Rockets would lose the series. Even the people who believe in them the most do not believe in them. Houston’s leaky defense doesn’t give us a lot of confidence in thinking they can get a victory. The Warriors are too good and have too many weapons to stop. It’s hard to imagine Golden State having a collective cold shooting night, which is about the only way the Rockets would be able to steal a win.
NBA Odds: Golden State 115, Houston 107
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