Warriors vs. Rockets Betting Prediction & Pick (Game 2)

Golden State Warriors (48-34 SU, 43-39 ATS) vs. Houston Rockets (52-30 SU, 43-40 ATS)

When: Wednesday, April 23rd, 9:30 PM (ET)

Where: Toyota Center, TX, Houston

TV: TNT

Point Spread: GS +3.5/Hou -3.5

Total: 203.5

Money Line: Golden State Warriors +137/-161

Notable Injuries

Warriors

• No Injuries Reported

Rockets

• Jock Landale (Out) Knee
• Jae’Sean Tate (Out) Ankle

The Rockets (-161) are favored by 3.5 points over the Warriors (+137) in this Western Conference matchup. The over/under line is set at 203.5 points.

This game will be played at the Toyota Center in Houston. The Rockets (52-30) are currently in 2nd place in the Western Conference, while the Warriors (48-34) are in 7th place.

Recent Form

The Warriors improved to 48-34 this season with a 95-85 win over the Rockets on Sunday. Golden State, +1.5 point underdogs, covered the spread with the win. The game’s total score of 180 points fell well short of the 213-point over/under line.

Golden State’s defense shined in the 2nd quarter, holding Houston to 13 points while scoring 29. An 11-0 run helped them take control, and they entered the 4th quarter up 69-60. The Warriors narrowly outscored the Rockets 26-25 in the final period to seal the win.

The Rockets fell to 52-30 on the season after a 95-85 home loss to the Warriors on Sunday. Houston, favored by 1.5 points, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total score of 180 points was well below the O/U line of 213.

Houston started strong, leading 21-18 after the 1st quarter, but a pivotal 11-0 run by the Warriors shifted the game. The Rockets were outscored 29-13 in the 2nd quarter, and despite winning the 3rd quarter 26-22, they couldn’t close the gap in the 4th, where they were outscored 26-25.

The Historicals

The Warriors have had the better record vs the spread over the last five games, going 4-1. The team’s average scoring margin in these contests sits at 3 points per game. A combined average of 191 points per game was achieved in these matchups, leading to an over-under mark of 0-5.

Analysis

Stephen Curry led the Warriors to a win over the Rockets, scoring 31 points on 63.2% shooting, including five threes at 55.6% from deep. Jimmy Butler added 25 points, while Brandin Podziemski contributed 14 points and eight rebounds, hitting three threes at 37.5%.

Golden State made 12 threes at 37.5% efficiency, shooting 47.4% overall. Curry scored 10 points in the 2nd quarter and added 9 more in the 3rd.

The Warriors put on a defensive clinic against the Rockets, allowing just 85 points on 39% shooting. Their best quarter came in the 2nd, where they held Houston to 13 points. Golden State was particularly effective at defending the three, limiting the Rockets to just six made threes on 20% shooting.

Golden State sent Houston to the line 20 times, where the Rockets converted 11 free throws. The Warriors grabbed 30 defensive rebounds but gave up 22 offensive boards. They also contributed 14 steals and one block in the win.

In Sunday’s loss to the Warriors, the Rockets managed just 85 points, shooting 39.1% from the field and hitting only six threes at a 20.7% clip. Alperen Şengün led the way with 26 points, shooting 61.1% and adding nine rebounds.

Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. each contributed 11 points, with Smith shooting 100% from the field. Brooks made two threes, shooting 40% from deep.

Despite a strong defensive effort, the Rockets couldn’t hold off the Warriors, who scored 95 points on Sunday. Houston allowed 18 points in the 1st quarter and 22 in the 3rd but gave up 29 in the 2nd and 26 in the 4th.

The Rockets held Golden State to 37% shooting from three, with the Warriors making 12 threes. Houston also limited the Warriors to 14 free throws, of which they made 11. The Rockets finished with nine steals and three blocks.

Betting Trends

• The Warriors are 3-0 ATS in their three last road games and 3-0 straight-up.
• Across their three previous home games, Houston has an ATS mark of 1-2. Their straight up record in these matchups was 1-2 while averaging 110 points per game.
• In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Warriors have a strong straight up record of 4-1. In addition, their ATS record was 4-1 in these scenarios.
• Through their previous five contests as the betting favorite, the Rockets have a strong record of 4-1. Their record vs the spread in these matchups is 2-3.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

The Warriors took game 1 of this series but are now the +3.5 point underdogs on Wednesday night. I think Houston bounces back tonight, knowing it’s almost a death sentence to be down 2-0 having to then hit the road for game 3. Look for this game to be extremely physical, and Houston to come out on top and cover.