The Houston Rockets started the season extremely slowly, but are finally rounding into form. The Rockets were projected to be the Golden State Warriors’ top competition in the Western Conference this season and it is coming to fruiting as the playoffs approach. The teams will face off this week in a heavyweight clash that could be a preview of the Western Conference Finals.
Houston has dominated recently while the Warriors have stumbled, and this is shaping up to be a great game. Golden State is on the road so the spread figures to be a small one, with each side hoping to make a statement by coming away with a crucial win.
The Warriors have not yet wrapped up the top seed in the Western Conference but a victory here would be a big step in that direction in NBA betting lines.
This NBA basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets will be held at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas at 9:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13th, 2019. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
We'll have NBA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2019 NBA season.
Odds Analysis
The Warriors have a record of 45-21 on the season but have only won four of their past 10 games. Golden State lost to the lowly Phoenix Suns last time out and sits just 1.5 games ahead of the Nuggets in the West. The season has been much clunkier than hoped for Golden State, but the talent is so high that this team is still rarely an underdog. It will be interesting to see how the oddsmakers peg this game.
The Rockets are 42-25 on the year. They have won nine straight games and could tighten up the West with a head-to-head victory in this game. Houston has gone 23-9 at home this year so it fully believes a win is possible in NBA gambling.
Injury Report
Rockets star small forward James Harden aggravated a wrist injury on Friday but X-rays came back negative and he didn’t miss a game. Harden only shot 7-of-21 from the field in Monday’s win over the Hornets, and there could be some concern the injury is affecting his efficiency. If Harden is less than 100 percent, that could be a significant development.
Harden is averaging 36.3 points per game this season, and for much of the season he was the only player scoring consistently for the Rockets. However, he has gotten much more help lately. Against Charlotte, for instance, Eric Gordon scored 22 points while Clint Capela added 19 points and 15 rebounds.
Key Stat
33. That’s how many three-pointers Golden State missed in its most recent game against the Suns. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson each hit only 4-of-15 from downtown. It can be an issue when good looks aren’t falling from the perimeter, but luckily for the Warriors, they have some of the best shooters not only in the NBA but in league history.
Look for Curry and Thompson to bounce back in this one, as the recent struggles are nothing to worry about.
Free NBA ATS Picks
This is lining up to be a really intriguing matchup. The Warriors are aiming to prove they are the clear-cut favorite in the West, but last year’s playoff series was a classic and these teams seem to be on a collision course once again.
Golden State should keep this one close, but the Rockets are playing really well and have the benefit of the home court. Take Houston to stretch its winning streak to double digits by knocking off the Warriors in a good one. The Rockets are also the pick to cover the spread in NBA betting.
NBA ATS Pick: Houston Rockets 121, Golden State Warriors 118
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!
