Skip to content

Best bets, player props to consider for Warriors-Rockets

Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With only one game on tap Friday in the NBA postseason, we dive into the best bets and player props to consider for Warriors-Rockets.

Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets

Line: Rockets -7
Total: 214.5

Golden State's loss of Kevin Durant has changed the complexion of the series. The Rockets, 3.5- and 1-point favorites at home in Game 3 and 4, respectively, are currently -7 as the Warriors sit their star forward due to a mild calf strain. That spread is, by far, the largest the Dubs have faced in the postseason in the Steve Kerr era, the previous coming in Game 3 of this series.

Houston has been red-hot at home in the playoffs, going 5-0 straight up and 4-1 against the spread. The under cashed yet again in Golden State's 104-99 win in Game 5, making it 18 of the last 26 meetings between the two teams to sail under the total. The Rockets' defense is rolling in the Toyota Center, allowing an average of 101.8 points over the previous seven home playoff games and holding six of those seven opponents to the team total under. Keep an eye on that angle in Game 6.

Houston's defense was already holding its own at home, but now the Warriors are without the postseason's hottest scorer. Pressure will be piled on Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, who are shooting just 39.4 and 41.7 percent from the field in the second round, respectively. The Dubs would probably weather the storm at Oracle Arena, but they figure to have a tough time surpassing their team total of 104 on the road.

James Harden Over/Under 35.5 points

Harden dropped 31 in the Game 5 loss despite taking just one shot from the floor over the final eight minutes of the fourth quarter. He's still filling the bucket at a torrid pace, averaging north of 36 points over his last 10 contests. In a do-or-die scenario at home with no Durant on the floor, expect him to take over.

Eric Gordon Over/Under 22.5 points + rebounds + assists

We'd recommend going over on Gordon-related props when the Rockets are at home and under when they're on the road. The veteran guard has combined for fewer than 22 points, rebounds, and assists in four of five away playoff games but has shattered that number in both tilts at the Toyota Center against the Dubs.

Klay Thompson Over/Under 3.5 made three-pointers

Golden State's offense will need a boost with Durant out. Thompson may be the next man up after shooting his way out of a personal slump in Game 5 by going 5-of-10 from three and putting up a personal series-best 27 in the win. The team's long-range shooting has been untrustworthy in the second round, but Thompson should see an uptick in volume with Durant a non-factor.

Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox