On Friday, 05/02, the Golden State Warriors (3-2) will host the Houston Rockets (2-3) in Game 6 of the NBA Playoffs’ First Round. The Rockets kept their season alive during Game 5 emphatically with a 15-point win (131-116). Can the Dubs take care of the business, or will Houston force Game 7? Go through the preview, total predictions, and player props here.
The Rockets have given the Dubs some food for thought
The Rockets were all over the Dubs throughout Game 5. They set up a superb rhythm with a 40-24 opening quarter. They extended their lead to 27 points by the end of the first half to make matters more troublesome for the Warriors.
The Dubs had a spirited effort in the second half, but it was too little, too late. The Rockets latched on to their 27-point lead by the end of the third quarter, and the Warriors could only earn a 12-point advantage in the final quarter. The free-throw disparity played a decisive role. The Rockets nailed 32 of their 38 free throws compared to 15 out of 22 by the Warriors.
The scoring gap between the starters says it all, too. Curry was the top scorer for the Warriors with just 13 points. Jimmy Butler, who has constantly crossed the 20+ points mark, was limited to merely 8 points. Brandin Podziemski had only 8 too.
Meanwhile, the Rockets had three starters score 20+. Interestingly, their regular-season top two scorers, Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun, didn’t touch the 20-point mark. It summed up Houston’s depth, but was it too late as the Warriors go back home to close the deal?
Rockets Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Fred Van Vleet | SG: Jalen Green | SF: Dillon brooks | PF: Amen Thompson | C: Alperen Sengun
Key bench players: SF: Tari Eason, PF: Jabari Smith Jr., C: Steven Adams
Injuries/Updates: Nothing significant to report
Warriors Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Stephen Curry | SG: Brandin Podziemski | SG/SF: Moses Moody | SF: Jonathan Kuminga | PF/C: Draymond Green
Key bench players: SG: Buddy Hield, PG: Gary Payton II, SF: Jonathan Kuminga, C: Quinten Post
Injuries/Updates: Jimmy Butler is QUESTIONABLE.
Game 5 turned all the scoring trends to dust. The bookmakers have placed the identical odds around a total of 202.5. But the game hit the series-high 247 points. It was way over the estimate because the previous series high was 215 points in Game 4.
All three games have fallen under the 203 or lower mark before that. Is the tide shifting now? On the contrary, I believe we will get back to a low-scoring thriller in Game 6.
Stephen Curry to put up over 27.5 points: Curry was quiet in Game 5 with a 33% shooting night. It was the second straight game where he was held below 20 points. But I see him coming up with a big performance on the home court.
Alperen Sengun to stack over 9.5 rebounds: The Rockets center had 9 rebounds in Game 5. Previously, he had pulled down 10 or more rebounds in three straight games. I see him repeating that in Game 6.
Jimmy Butler to score over 23.5 points: I see Playoffs Jimmy coming into his best form during Game 6. He has scored 20+ in two games in the series and I see him coming up with third such performance here.
Main pick: Stephen Curry O 27.5 points for -115 at BetMGM
The Warriors will be the favorite here despite the Game 5 loss. They have won both home games in the series, and they have been a stellar team at home historically. I see a big double effort from Curry and Butler here, and see the Warriors advancing to the Western Conference Semis. I trust the -5.5 spread allotted by the bookmakers here.
Safe Spread Pick: Warriors -5.5 for -110 at BetMGM
Betting Lines–
Photo Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
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