Though it’s probably not a knockout punch, losing certainly rocked the Rockets to have weak knees. Can they stand up and take the fight to the Warriors? Here are the Warriors vs Rockets predictions for Game 2.
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Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets
- Where: May 16, 2018, 9:00 PM ET
- When: Toyota Center
- Spread: Rockets -2
- Over/Under: 224.5
- More NBA Betting Lines
Warriors Betting Insights
The Warriors got the job done. With another win under their belts, Golden State is much closer to reaching the NBA finals for the fourth straight time.
They might have gotten off to a slow start, but by halftime, they had bounced back to a draw. And it was all they needed to run away over the two last quarters.
ESPN’s Jalen Rose sums up what happened from the tape:
However, even if the win seemed to have been easy, tonight’s game might be incredibly different. When you back an opponent into a corner, they have no other option but to fight.
And Houston is in a corner. They must win tonight. They’re going to do whatever it takes to not lose again on their home court.
Golden State will have to match the Rockets’ intensity because they’ll come out blazing.
This also means the Warriors will have to shore up defenses. They’ll have to show James Harden and Chris Paul that no matter what they throw at them, they’ll be able to counter. Show them they have a game plan that’s good enough to beat them.
Defense will be critical if the Warriors are to outscore the Rockets once more.
As for offense, the Warriors already showed how they are. Durant put up 37 points while Klay Thompson score 28. Curry added just 18 but he probably will have more involvement for tonight’s game.
Curry took just 15 shots from the field in Game 1 but he’ll unleash his big guns for Game 2. Hopefully, everything goes well and he’s not hurt in the process being as prone to injury as he is.
Betting on the Rockets
The reaction to the Rockets loss was as expected. The group of people going back to the “Houston going down in flames club” got way bigger.
It honestly doesn’t feel like an overreaction to say this series is over after 1 game. This was supposed to be the “Rockets are different” game. Harden was incredible, Steph sucked, Draymond was crazy, and the Warriors still won by 13
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) May 15, 2018
Charles Barkley was saying it since before the series started and now after game one he’s completely convinced they’re going to lose.
“I picked the Warriors in five (games),” Barkley said postgame. “I’m taking the Warriors in three.” “This is over, Ernie,” continued Barkley. “You just (saw) this game. The Rockets can’t beat them. “Anybody who thinks the Rockets are gonna win a game or win the series is an idiot.”
It’s a bloody thorn in the Rockets’ side, one that doesn’t seem to go away. Even if it was just the first game, they should have won it nevertheless. It was their court, after all.
Then again maybe the frustration could light a fire in their bellies. One that’s blazing hot enough to win tonight.
Hopefully, it’s enough to make a difference, at least, to silence all the naysayers until the following game.
It was only the Rockets second loss at home this postseason and they haven’t lost consecutive games at Toyota Center since December of 2017, let’s give them some credit.
The Rockets can get back in the saddle. Forget about Game 1. Leave things in the past and focus on tonight’s game. They can still win this thing.
Even if the oddsmakers seem to think the Rockets won’t win the series, they at least think they can win tonight’s game. One win can go a long way in the NBA.
James Harden will be front and center tonight; there’s a lot riding on his shoulders to prevent Houston from falling into a 0-2 hole.
Harden scored 41 points in 35 minutes of play. But the Warriors sort of isolated him and stopped him from moving the ball around.
Chris Paul also played well, scoring 23 points on 47 percent shooting. But, even as these two played to the level that’s expected of them, the rest of the team fell far short.
As a team, the Rockets combined for a measly 42 points on 39 percent shooting.
No matter how good Harden and Paul are, it takes a full team effort to defeat the Warriors.
Will everyone rise to the challenge?
Some Rockets vs. Warriors Betting Trends
- Golden State is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston
- Golden State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games on the road
- Houston is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
- Houston is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games at home
- Houston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Golden State
Game Predictions: Houston will try to outgun the Warriors in the first half of the game as they did in Game 1. But, it’s going to take the full team to step up if the result is going to be any different.
If they can get a good lead in the first two quarters, they have a fair shot. If not, it’s game over for Houston, perhaps, for the series.
Pick: Warriors +2