Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets Game 5 Pick and Prediction, 5–24–2018
Western Conference Playoff Prediction by Samar Baht of Sports Picks Forum
Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets
NBA: Thursday, May 24, 9:00 PM EST
Odds: Rockets +1, O/U 219.5
The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets are tied at 2–2 as they travel back to Houston for Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals. The Rockets won a pivotal Game 4 on the road at Golden State to even the series, and now a chance to go up 3–2 at home on Thursday night.
Golden State appeared to be off and running during stretches in Game 4 but they went cold shooting in the 4th quarter. The Warriors streak of 16 straight home victories in the playoffs came to end on Tuesday with the loss. Golden State held Houston to 39 percent shooting in Game 4 but surrendered 34 points in the second quarter and 25 in the fourth, and the inconsistency should be a cause for concern. The Warriors will need Klay Thompson to repeat his Game 1 performance with 28 points. Since then, he has been held to just 10 PPG.
The Rockets managed to throw some devastating blows in the final minutes of Game 4 and emerge with a win on the road. Houston outscored Golden State 25–12 in the final quarter to earn the win and head home with a chance to take their first lead of the series. The key to Houston’s success in Game 5 will be managing the patented Warriors runs and creating turnovers that lead to buckets.
Houston is 40–9 SU at home this season but there is one team that has had success in Houston and they are the Warriors. Golden State is 10–4 ATS the last 14 meetings in Houston. The Warriors postseason experience will be a key asset in Game 5 and I don’ t see them losing two-straight games in the playoffs. I like the small chalk on the road as Golden State (-1) picks up a road victory to go up 3–2.