Both teams have looked great in one game and awful in the other. This one figures to be more competitive since San Antonio is the slightly superior team but Houston gets this one in front of its home crowd. This series seems destined to go six or seven games, and the Rockets can really begin to feel upset-minded if they are able to claim this Game 3 victory in Houston.
This war on the floor will go down Friday, May 5, 2017, at 9:30 p.m. ET at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The game will be televised live on ESPN.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Friday schedule.
NBA Odds
The Spurs were six-point favorites in Game 2 despite getting thrashed in the opener, and the oddsmakers were correct as they easily covered in the blowout victory. The scoring total was set at 215 and the “over” was correct, but just barely in the 121-96 Spurs win.
San Antonio improved to 66-24 straight up and 46-42-2 against the spread. The Spurs have gone 23-19-2 against the spread on the road this season. San Antonio is 41-41-1 against the spread as the favorite and 5-1-1 as the underdog. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Spurs come in as either a favorite or the slightest of underdogs in Game 3.
The Rockets are 60-29 straight up and 46-42-1 against the spread. Houston has played in 44 home games on the year and has covered in only 19 of them. The Rockets are 33-36 against the spread as the favorite and 11-5-1 as the underdog on the year.
Last Time Out
After being blown out in Game 1, the Spurs came out much sharper in Game 2, shooting 54.5 percent from the field on their way to the 121-96 win. Kawhi Leonard finished with 34 points for the Spurs and also had seven rebounds and eight assists.
The performance was a vast improvement from the opening game of the season where the Spurs shot just 36.9 percent from the field. San Antonio got off to a fast start, leading the Rockets by 10 at halftime and never let off the gas.
James Harden had just 13 points for Houston, his lowest in a playoff game this season. The Spurs dominated the glass Wednesday, finishing with 47 rebounds compared to the Rockets’ 32.
Injury Report
Tony Parker -- The Spurs’ veteran point guard sustained a left knee injury in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s semifinal contest against the Rockets and did not return to the game. Parker had to be carried off the court by teammates and his availability is in doubt moving forward.
The 34-year-old will undergo an MRI Thursday that will reveal more about the severity of the injury. The impact that the longtime Spur continues to have on his team, even in his 15th season in the league, is undeniable.
Parker is averaging 15.6 points per game in the postseason and finished with 27 points in the series-sealing Game 6 victory over Memphis on April 27th. He had 18 points before the injury on Wednesday against the Spurs. Patty Mills will carry more of the load if Parker cannot play in Game 3 and beyond.
Free NBA ATS Pick
Both teams showed their strengths and weaknesses in the first two games. San Antonio has to be feeling good because it got many open looks near the basket in Game 2 and scored at will. Houston was more reliant on its outside shooting, and while Ryan Anderson was hot, he didn’t get enough help.
San Antonio’s bench was much better in the second game and now its depth will be tested with Parker’s injury. His absence could put a dent into the Spurs’ chances on the road, even though Mills is a solid player.
This one should finally go down to the wire after a couple of blowouts early on. Take the Spurs to make enough big plays down the stretch to come away with the win and regain the home court advantage in this series.
NBA Odds: Spurs 106, Rockets 103
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
