Free NBA Playoffs Pick: Rockets vs Warriors Lines
Looking for Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors free playoff picks? NBA betting sees the Rockets taking on the Warriors on Monday April 18, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball playoff matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions.
(41-41) Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors (73-9)
Round 1: Game 2
Date: Monday April 18, 2016
Time: 10:30PM EST
Venue: Oracle Arena in Oakland, California
NBA Moneyline Odds: Off
NBA Betting Odds: Warriors -13
NBA Betting Total: 218
Live NBA Odds
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The Warriors started off their title defense in dominant fashion beating the Rockets by a score of 104-78.
They jumped out to a commanding halftime lead and maintained it to the final buzzer.
Steph Curry was forced from the game at one point and his status is questionable for Game 2. He was unable to practice on Sunday and his absence would really put the pressure on the Warriors reserves to make up some of his production.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets came out flat in the first quarter and were never able to recover. To put their slow start into perspective, Steph Curry managed to outscore the entire Rockets team 16-15 in the quarter.
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Of the 12 players who registered minutes for the Rockets in this game, only 2 of them managed to shoot above 50%. The team as a whole shot the ball poorly in every facet of the game. Their team field goal percentage of 35.7%, three-point shooting percentage of 27.3%, and free throw percentage of 50.0% are all significantly below their season norms.
It was a good sign to see Dwight Howard eclipse the 30 minute mark amid concerns of matchup problems. The big man in the middle submitted a double-double in game 1 with 14 and 11, although he also turned the ball over 5 times.
J.B. Bickerstaff made some interesting tweaks to his rotation and opted to give the minutes usually reserved for Michael Beasley to the more defensive oriented K.J. McDaniels. If scoring is a problem for Houston again in game 2, look for some extended run from Beasley.
Watch the turnover differential in this one. Golden States forced Houston to turn the ball over 24 times in Game 1, which led to a number of runouts and easy buckets. Harden and Howard combined for 11 turnovers.
Golden State Warriors
Talk about a statement win. The Warriors took a 27 point lead into halftime and went on cruise control in the second half, only allowing the Rockets to claw 1 point closer. Despite having some issues with their shooting efficiency, Golden State still managed to break the 100-point mark and locked down Houston’s offense in the process.
Steph Curry’s health will be the most important thing to watch going in to tonight’s game. If he is unable to go for any extended stretch of time, the door could be open for the Rockets to make a series of this. His contributions are undeniable to the team, in Game 1 Curry dropped 24 points (including five 3 pointers) in a mere 19:49 of playing time.
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The other starters were very inefficient from the field in game 1, combining to shoot 33.3% from the field and 27.2% from deep.
Golden State’s reserves nearly outscored Houston’s starters in Game 1. The 43 points from the Warriors bench was only 2 less than the Rockets starters 45.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Rockets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss
- Rockets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game
- Rockets are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 Conference Quarterfinals games
- Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games
- Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Southwest
- Warriors are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 Conference Quarterfinals games
Free Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors NBA Prediction:
If Steph Curry plays in this one, it’s in the bag for G-State. If not, then Houston will have a punchers chance at stealing one on the road. I think the Warriors manage to prevail in this one no matter what happens though.
The Dubs offense will heat up as they prepare to head out on the road for the next two.
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Warriors take Game 2.
NBA Free Score Prediction: Warriors 112 – Rockets 94
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