Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets: West Conference Finals Game 1 Prediction, 5–14–2018
Free NBA Playoff Pick by Nathan Powers of Precision Picks
Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets
Line: Rockets -1, 224
Game Time: Monday, May 14th, 9:00 PM EST
The Western Conference Finals tip off Monday night in Houston with the two top teams in the conference taking the court. The Golden State Warriors (66–26) will take on the Houston Rockets (73–19) in the best of seven series for a trip to the NBA Finals. Oddsmakers list the Rockets as -1 point home favorites over the defending NBA Champions.
The defending NBA champion Warriors needed just five games to get by each of their first two opponents and are seeking their fourth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals. The Warriors were 39–52–1 ATS on the season and they are just 0–1 ATS as a rare -1 point underdog. Golden State is the #1 offense in the NBA from points to free throw percentage and they have two of the best 3-point shooters in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Kevin Durant leads the team with 28 PPG.
Houston was one of the best teams in the NBA all season and finished the regular season with the best record in basketball. Like the Warriors, Houston has lost just twice in the postseason and once in each series to the Jazz and Timberwolves. The Houston Rockets are averaging 109.5 points on 44.6 percent shooting and they have struggled at times shooting the ball. James Harden is averaging 28.5 points and 7.4 assists while Chris Paul is averaging 21.8 points and 6.4 assists. The Rockets are (2–2 ATS) as -1 point favorites this season.
The Houston Rockets are 2–1 SU against the Golden State Warriors this season, and that one loss was when Harden didn’t play. The Rockets are 25–2 SU in their last 27 home games when favored by at least two points. Chris Paul has made the difference for this Rockets team and he’ll be an integral part of the Rockets winning Game 1. The Rockets haven’t really shot the ball well in the postseason but if they heat up from 3-point land, and from the field, they have a good chance of winning this series. Game 1 in Houston favors the Rockets and I’ll lay the -1 point with the Rockets to take a 1–0 series lead.
Warriors vs Rockets Playoff Pick: Rockets -1
