Houston Rockets (74-20 SU, 48-45-1 ATS) vs. Golden State Warriors (67-27 SU, 40-53 ATS)
Time: Sunday, May 20th, 2018 – 8:00 PM EDT
Where: Oracle Arena – Oakland, CA
TV: TNT
by Keith, Professional NBA Handicapper, Predictem
Odds Houston +265, Golden State -300
Point Spread: Golden State -7
Total Line: 226.5
The Golden State Warriors will host the Houston Rockets for Game Three of the Western Conference Finals. The game will take place at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California on Sunday, May 20th, 2018 at 8:00 PM ET. The contest will be televised for national audiences on TNT. So far, the series has lived up to the billing as this match-up sits tied at 1-1. In Game One, Golden State marched into Clutch City and handed the Rockets a 119-106 loss on their home court. Losses are hard to come by in Houston so needless to say the Game One victory was a statement. However, the Rockets would hold serve and come back in Game Two with an emphatic 127-105 win. Clearly, this series has all the makings to go the distance and be a true heavyweight bout.
The Rockets and Warriors are the top two teams in the West and for that matter, the two top teams in the league. The Warriors come in as the three-team defending conference champion and of course as the reigning NBA Champions, as well. Houston put together an impressive season on the heels of some of their incumbent personnel performing above their station with some key acquisitions.
There are several betting trends that we are looking at in Game Three. To begin, the Rockets are a serious threat on the road as they are 34-11 SU outside of Clutch City. Golden State is also a commendable 35-12 SU at home. Compared to previous years where the Warriors seemed unbeatable in “The O”, the Warriors have taken a step back in the area of home court advantage. Lastly, the away team is 8-4 SU in the previous twelve games between these two opponents.
The Rockets have to be feeling good after their Game Two victory over Golden State. Moreover, this team has marched into Oakland and handed the Warriors are a loss on their home court this season. There is a reason why this team is the top dog in the West, and when you offer said team with an enhanced point quantity, there is tremendous equity in looking into them.
Golden State at home in the playoffs is a spot that many takers will like to bank on. With the Warriors at full health and a two-game stretch in Oakland, a popular presumption here is that Golden State will be able to jump out to a 3-1 lead here as the series heads into the backstretch.
From the get-go, there has been a lean on the Warriors reflected in 54% of the public cash and 55% of the ticket action in on Golden State in Game Three. Nevertheless, we have yet to see a line movement take shape as a result of this. In Over/Under markets, we have seen the number drop by half of a point to reflect the action on the Under. To counter this, 80% of the cash and 75% of the tickets are currently in on the Over in the present position.
It has been the case previously, and it will be the same set of circumstances here in Game Three, when you back Golden State at home you can expect a premium to do so. After all, Golden State has not lost a game in Oakland so far this playoff season. However, against the spread, the Warriors are 1-3 ATS in their previous four home contests. These results were fostered against San Antonio and New Orleans. It is safe to say here that Houston is a step up in competitive quality. When you toss an inflated point spread, the Rockets offer immense value.
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