This was supposed to be the best series of the entire 2019 NBA Playoffs, but so far it has been one-sided. The Golden State Warriors were able to hold serve at home and win the first two games of this series. The Rockets will be looking to get back into the series as Games 3 and 4 will be on their home floor in Houston. This is a rematch of last year’s Western Conference finals.
Even though these are two of the highest scoring teams in the NBA, the first two games of this series have been relatively low-scoring. Golden State has won both games by just 10 combined points, and the Rockets are just a few plays away from being in this series. Houston posted a 31-10 record at home during the regular season, and that should help them in this game. The Rockets are a -3.5 point favorite over the Warriors in Game 3.
Harden Battling Through Injury
James Harden suffered a brutal eye injury in Game 2 of this series but insists that he will be ready to go for Game 3. Harden led the NBA with 36.1 points per game during the regular season and is scoring 29.0 a night in the postseason. The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player is attempting over 23 shots per night but has dished out more than seven assists per game.
Houston attempts more three-point shots than any team in the league, but they will need to shoot it at a better percentage to get back in the series. The Rockets are making 36 percent of their shots from deep, but that might not be enough against the Warriors. Houston is getting almost no production from its bench in the playoffs, but that should change as they play in front of their home crowd.
Durant Is A Playoff Superstar
The Golden State Warriors have one of the best rosters in the entire league, and they also have Kevin Durant. Durant has been able to step up his game in the postseason in recent seasons, and he is doing it again this year. The former NBA Finals MVP is averaging more than 34 points per game so far in the playoffs and is shooting 41 percent from deep. Golden State is making less than 12 three-point shots per game, but they are capable of shooting it even better.
Golden State has had a problem with turning the ball over all season long, and that hasn’t gotten any better in the playoffs. The Warriors are averaging 15 turnovers per game, which takes away chances for their shooters to go to work. The “Splash Brothers” have combined to score more than 40 points per game, and they can pick up the slack if Durant struggles.
Rockets Get Back in Series
The Houston Rockets are simply too good to lose three games in a row in the playoffs. The Rockets are a much better team at home, and they are going to put up a ton of points in this game. Golden State might steal a game in Houston, but it won’t be in Game 3. Take the Houston Rockets -3.5 over the Golden State Warriors in this game.
