Game of the Day: Cavaliers at Hawks by covers
Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks (-2, 197)
Cavs lead series 1-0
Atlanta forward DeMarre Carroll is questionable for Friday when the Hawks try to rebound from a series-opening loss to the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Carroll injured his left knee late in the opener when he landed awkwardly and an MRI exam performed Thursday determined he suffered a bruised bone.
There were fears Carroll suffered a major injury but the examination ruled out structural, ligament and cartilage damage so he is expected to return to play in the series. If Carroll can’t play on Friday, guard Kent Bazemore is expected to move into the starting lineup and that would represent a huge dropoff from Carroll, who is considered Atlanta’s top defender. Cleveland won the opener 97-89 and shooting guard J.R. Smith was tremendous and set a franchise postseason record with eight 3-pointers while scoring 28 points. “Once I start shooting,” Smith told reporters, “everybody keeps telling me to keep shooting.”
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT
LINE HISTORY: The Hawks opened as 1-point dogs but are 2-point road faves. The total opened 198.5 and is down to 197.
INJURY REPORT: Cavs - G Kyrie Irving (Probable, knee), F LeBron James (Probable, ankle). Hawks - F DeMarre Carroll (Questionable, knee).
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS: While Smith’s marksmanship was superb, coach David Blatt was just as pleased with his defense and rebounding. “I’d love to know when the last time a guy made eight 3s and got eight rebounds,” Blatt said in his postgame press conference. “I don’t remember but I’m sure it’s happened. That’s pretty unusual.” Forward LeBron James was unstoppable for the most part with 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists and posted his 52nd playoff performance of at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists, breaking the record set by Michael Jordan.
ABOUT THE HAWKS: Losing the series opener at home and giving up homecourt advantage was a blow to Atlanta and the players are fully aware that heading to Cleveland in a 0-2 hole would be a highly undesirable position. “Just got to come out fighting and come out ready to play with a lot of intensity,” point guard Jeff Teague told reporters. “It’s going to be a war the next couple of games. We know that. So it’s a must-win for us next game with our backs against the wall.” Teague had a solid opener with 27 points while power forward Paul Millsap (13 points on 3-of-11 shooting) and backup point guard Dennis Schroder (six points on 2-of-10) had poor outings.
TRENDS:
*Cavaliers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
*Hawks are 15-7 ATS in their last 22 games following a S.U. loss.
*Under is 6-1 in Cavaliers last 7 road games.
*Under is 5-1 in Hawks last 6 vs. NBA Central.
COVERS CONSENSUS: 53.27 percent of Covers users are backing the Cavs with 62.7 percent on the under.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks (-2, 197)
Cavs lead series 1-0
Atlanta forward DeMarre Carroll is questionable for Friday when the Hawks try to rebound from a series-opening loss to the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Carroll injured his left knee late in the opener when he landed awkwardly and an MRI exam performed Thursday determined he suffered a bruised bone.
There were fears Carroll suffered a major injury but the examination ruled out structural, ligament and cartilage damage so he is expected to return to play in the series. If Carroll can’t play on Friday, guard Kent Bazemore is expected to move into the starting lineup and that would represent a huge dropoff from Carroll, who is considered Atlanta’s top defender. Cleveland won the opener 97-89 and shooting guard J.R. Smith was tremendous and set a franchise postseason record with eight 3-pointers while scoring 28 points. “Once I start shooting,” Smith told reporters, “everybody keeps telling me to keep shooting.”
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT
LINE HISTORY: The Hawks opened as 1-point dogs but are 2-point road faves. The total opened 198.5 and is down to 197.
INJURY REPORT: Cavs - G Kyrie Irving (Probable, knee), F LeBron James (Probable, ankle). Hawks - F DeMarre Carroll (Questionable, knee).
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS: While Smith’s marksmanship was superb, coach David Blatt was just as pleased with his defense and rebounding. “I’d love to know when the last time a guy made eight 3s and got eight rebounds,” Blatt said in his postgame press conference. “I don’t remember but I’m sure it’s happened. That’s pretty unusual.” Forward LeBron James was unstoppable for the most part with 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists and posted his 52nd playoff performance of at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists, breaking the record set by Michael Jordan.
ABOUT THE HAWKS: Losing the series opener at home and giving up homecourt advantage was a blow to Atlanta and the players are fully aware that heading to Cleveland in a 0-2 hole would be a highly undesirable position. “Just got to come out fighting and come out ready to play with a lot of intensity,” point guard Jeff Teague told reporters. “It’s going to be a war the next couple of games. We know that. So it’s a must-win for us next game with our backs against the wall.” Teague had a solid opener with 27 points while power forward Paul Millsap (13 points on 3-of-11 shooting) and backup point guard Dennis Schroder (six points on 2-of-10) had poor outings.
TRENDS:
*Cavaliers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
*Hawks are 15-7 ATS in their last 22 games following a S.U. loss.
*Under is 6-1 in Cavaliers last 7 road games.
*Under is 5-1 in Hawks last 6 vs. NBA Central.
COVERS CONSENSUS: 53.27 percent of Covers users are backing the Cavs with 62.7 percent on the under.
| NBA Basketball Consensus: Public Picks | |||||||
| Time | Teams | ATS | Moneyline | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (ET) | Picks | Percentage | Picks | Percentage | Picks | Percentage | |
| Friday, May 22, 2015 | |||||||
| 8:30pm odds | (507) Cleveland Cavaliers (508) Atlanta Hawks | 3561 2178 |
| 1569 761 |
| O1409 U2174 |
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Game of the day: Warriors at Rockets by covers
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets (-1.5, 215.5)
Warriors lead series 2-0
The Houston Rockets have their backs against the wall and hope to begin a comeback when they host the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday. Houston dropped the first two games on the road and failed to earn a split when James Harden fumbled the ball in the final seconds and didn’t get a shot off in a 99-98 defeat.
League MVP Stephen Curry is waging a major showdown with Harden and paced Golden State with 33 points in Game 2 and has made 11 3-pointers while averaging 33.5 points over the first two games. Harden is averaging 33 points, 10.5 rebounds, nine assists and 3.5 steals in the series but his 38-point effort in Game 2 was stained by the costly turnover at the finish. “Frustrating to give the game away like that for myself but my teammates and coaches were behind me, just saying that we’re going home to secure home now,” Harden said in his postgame press conference. “Ten out of 10 times we’ll take that play. It gave me confidence but it’s still frustrating when I know I could have at least got a shot up.” The Warriors have dominated the Rockets this season by winning all six meetings.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
LINE HISTORY:The Rockets opened at 1-point underdogs before shifting to -1.5 by Friday. The total has been bet down from 216 to 215.5 since open.
INJURY REPORT: Warriors - C Ognjen Kuzmic (Ques-Ankle) Rockets - C Dwight Howard (Prob-Knee)
ABOUT THE WARRIORS: Center Andrew Bogut has bought into Golden State’s up-tempo offensive approach by accepting a role as a defender and rebounder and seldom puts up the solid offensive numbers he did earlier in his career. Yet he was a huge factor in Game 2 with 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting and also produced eight rebounds, five blocked shots and four assists. Bogut also put his typical strong defense on display and earlier in the week was named to NBA All-Defensive second team while teammate Draymond Green was a first-team choice.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS: Center Dwight Howard is listed as probable for Game 3 and will again wear a brace on his injured left knee after a surprisingly solid performance on Thursday. Howard sprained knee ligaments in the opening game and his availability for Game 2 was in question but he played 40 minutes and contributed 19 points and 17 rebounds. “I just tried to play as hard as I could,” Howard told reporters afterward. “I didn’t think about it at all. We’ll see how it feels. I just went out there and gave my teammates all that I could give them despite what happened with my knee.”
TRENDS:
*Warriors are 4-9 ATS in the last 13 meetings in Houston.
*Rockets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
*Under is 8-1 in Warriors last 9 overall.
*Over is 11-3 in Rockets last 14 home games.
COVERS CONSENSUS: 68.8 percent of Covers users are backing the Rockets with 55.2 percent on the over.
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets (-1.5, 215.5)
Warriors lead series 2-0
The Houston Rockets have their backs against the wall and hope to begin a comeback when they host the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday. Houston dropped the first two games on the road and failed to earn a split when James Harden fumbled the ball in the final seconds and didn’t get a shot off in a 99-98 defeat.
League MVP Stephen Curry is waging a major showdown with Harden and paced Golden State with 33 points in Game 2 and has made 11 3-pointers while averaging 33.5 points over the first two games. Harden is averaging 33 points, 10.5 rebounds, nine assists and 3.5 steals in the series but his 38-point effort in Game 2 was stained by the costly turnover at the finish. “Frustrating to give the game away like that for myself but my teammates and coaches were behind me, just saying that we’re going home to secure home now,” Harden said in his postgame press conference. “Ten out of 10 times we’ll take that play. It gave me confidence but it’s still frustrating when I know I could have at least got a shot up.” The Warriors have dominated the Rockets this season by winning all six meetings.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
LINE HISTORY:The Rockets opened at 1-point underdogs before shifting to -1.5 by Friday. The total has been bet down from 216 to 215.5 since open.
INJURY REPORT: Warriors - C Ognjen Kuzmic (Ques-Ankle) Rockets - C Dwight Howard (Prob-Knee)
ABOUT THE WARRIORS: Center Andrew Bogut has bought into Golden State’s up-tempo offensive approach by accepting a role as a defender and rebounder and seldom puts up the solid offensive numbers he did earlier in his career. Yet he was a huge factor in Game 2 with 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting and also produced eight rebounds, five blocked shots and four assists. Bogut also put his typical strong defense on display and earlier in the week was named to NBA All-Defensive second team while teammate Draymond Green was a first-team choice.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS: Center Dwight Howard is listed as probable for Game 3 and will again wear a brace on his injured left knee after a surprisingly solid performance on Thursday. Howard sprained knee ligaments in the opening game and his availability for Game 2 was in question but he played 40 minutes and contributed 19 points and 17 rebounds. “I just tried to play as hard as I could,” Howard told reporters afterward. “I didn’t think about it at all. We’ll see how it feels. I just went out there and gave my teammates all that I could give them despite what happened with my knee.”
TRENDS:
*Warriors are 4-9 ATS in the last 13 meetings in Houston.
*Rockets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
*Under is 8-1 in Warriors last 9 overall.
*Over is 11-3 in Rockets last 14 home games.
COVERS CONSENSUS: 68.8 percent of Covers users are backing the Rockets with 55.2 percent on the over.
| [h=1]NBA Basketball Consensus: Public Picks [/h] | | ||||||
| Time | Teams | ATS | Moneyline | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (ET) | Picks | Percentage | Picks | Percentage | Picks | Percentage | |
| Saturday, May 23, 2015 | |||||||
| 9:00pm odds | (509) Golden State Warriors (510) Houston Rockets | 5710 9403 |
| 2095 4163 |
| O5295 U4135 |
|
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Game of the day: Hawks at Cavaliers by covers
Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers (-9, 190)
Cavaliers lead series 2-0
The Atlanta Hawks are becoming short on time and will be without a key player when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers in Sunday’s Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Atlanta trails 2-0 in the best-of-7 series and announced Saturday that All-Star shooting guard Kyle Korver will miss the rest of the postseason with a severe right ankle sprain.
Korver had 12 points before being injured in Game 2 and the regular-season sharpshooter had a shaky postseason but still represents a big loss for the Hawks. Cleveland held out point guard Kyrie Irving (knee) on Friday and could so again Sunday as it returns home thinking of a sweep. Forward LeBron James has back-to-back 30-point outings in the series and was superb in Game 2 with 30 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. “He helps us elevate our game,” power forward Tristan Thompson told reporters. “Playing with a great player like him just makes you want to get better, makes you want to put the time in watching film and I think that’s what great players do.”
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT
LINE HISTORY: The lines opened at CLE -8, 191, but those dropped to CLE -9, 190 after the announcement of Korver's injury.
INJURY REPORT: Hawks - G Kyle Korver (Ques-Ankle), C Al Horford (Ques-Knee) Cavaliers - G Kyrie Irving (Ques-Knee)
WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Atlanta played terrible basketball in both Game 1 and 2 on their home court. It was the first time this season in which the Hawks lost back-to-back home games. After those results, the oddsmakers have adjusted the line 11 points in Game 3. Atlanta should bring a better effort on Sunday night, but they will be short-handed as Kyle Korver is now out for the season with an ankle injury. The biggest difference so far in this series has been three-point shooting as Cleveland is 22-for-56 (39 percent), while Atlanta is just 10-for-49 (20 percent)."
ABOUT THE HAWKS: Two other Atlanta starters are ailing as center Al Horford briefly left Game 2 after hurting his right knee and small forward DeMarre Carroll was largely ineffective after playing with a sprained left knee suffered in Game 1. “I wouldn’t turn this chance down,” Carroll told reporters after having just six points and three rebounds in 34 minutes. “I wouldn’t turn this opportunity down for the world. I would’ve gone out there on one leg.” To remain in the series, the Hawks will hope key reserve Dennis Schroder steps up as well as receiving contributions from substitutes such as Kent Bazemore, Shelvin Mack and Mike Scott.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS: Cleveland didn’t miss Irving in Game 2 as James took a playmaking approach and the Hawks were powerless to defend him. “I have a gift and that’s why I’m able to keep defenses off guard because they say ‘OK, we’re going to make him score or make him pass,’” James said in his postgame press conference. “They really can’t make me do what I don’t want to do. I go out and I play the game the right way.” The loss of power forward Kevin Love (shoulder) for the rest of the playoffs has become a non-issue with Thompson (16 rebounds in Game 2) controlling the boards to help the Cavaliers outrebound Atlanta 96-76 in the first two games.
TRENDS:
*Hawks are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a double-digit loss at home.
*Cavaliers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
*Under is 4-0 in Hawks last 4 overall.
*Under is 9-2 in Cavaliers last 11 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
COVERS CONSENSUS: 60.4 percent of Covers users are backing the Hawks with 59 percent on the over.
Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers (-9, 190)
Cavaliers lead series 2-0
The Atlanta Hawks are becoming short on time and will be without a key player when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers in Sunday’s Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Atlanta trails 2-0 in the best-of-7 series and announced Saturday that All-Star shooting guard Kyle Korver will miss the rest of the postseason with a severe right ankle sprain.
Korver had 12 points before being injured in Game 2 and the regular-season sharpshooter had a shaky postseason but still represents a big loss for the Hawks. Cleveland held out point guard Kyrie Irving (knee) on Friday and could so again Sunday as it returns home thinking of a sweep. Forward LeBron James has back-to-back 30-point outings in the series and was superb in Game 2 with 30 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. “He helps us elevate our game,” power forward Tristan Thompson told reporters. “Playing with a great player like him just makes you want to get better, makes you want to put the time in watching film and I think that’s what great players do.”
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT
LINE HISTORY: The lines opened at CLE -8, 191, but those dropped to CLE -9, 190 after the announcement of Korver's injury.
INJURY REPORT: Hawks - G Kyle Korver (Ques-Ankle), C Al Horford (Ques-Knee) Cavaliers - G Kyrie Irving (Ques-Knee)
WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Atlanta played terrible basketball in both Game 1 and 2 on their home court. It was the first time this season in which the Hawks lost back-to-back home games. After those results, the oddsmakers have adjusted the line 11 points in Game 3. Atlanta should bring a better effort on Sunday night, but they will be short-handed as Kyle Korver is now out for the season with an ankle injury. The biggest difference so far in this series has been three-point shooting as Cleveland is 22-for-56 (39 percent), while Atlanta is just 10-for-49 (20 percent)."
ABOUT THE HAWKS: Two other Atlanta starters are ailing as center Al Horford briefly left Game 2 after hurting his right knee and small forward DeMarre Carroll was largely ineffective after playing with a sprained left knee suffered in Game 1. “I wouldn’t turn this chance down,” Carroll told reporters after having just six points and three rebounds in 34 minutes. “I wouldn’t turn this opportunity down for the world. I would’ve gone out there on one leg.” To remain in the series, the Hawks will hope key reserve Dennis Schroder steps up as well as receiving contributions from substitutes such as Kent Bazemore, Shelvin Mack and Mike Scott.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS: Cleveland didn’t miss Irving in Game 2 as James took a playmaking approach and the Hawks were powerless to defend him. “I have a gift and that’s why I’m able to keep defenses off guard because they say ‘OK, we’re going to make him score or make him pass,’” James said in his postgame press conference. “They really can’t make me do what I don’t want to do. I go out and I play the game the right way.” The loss of power forward Kevin Love (shoulder) for the rest of the playoffs has become a non-issue with Thompson (16 rebounds in Game 2) controlling the boards to help the Cavaliers outrebound Atlanta 96-76 in the first two games.
TRENDS:
*Hawks are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a double-digit loss at home.
*Cavaliers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
*Under is 4-0 in Hawks last 4 overall.
*Under is 9-2 in Cavaliers last 11 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
COVERS CONSENSUS: 60.4 percent of Covers users are backing the Hawks with 59 percent on the over.
Action Report: Bettors on Warriors, even action on total Monday by covers
The Golden State Warriors can break out the brooms and sweep the Houston Rockets in Game 4 of their Western Conference finals series in Texas Monday evening.
The Warriors, off a 35-point blowout win in Game 3 Saturday, opened as 4.5-point road faves at most shops for Monday's meeting, but are now up to -5.
"The Warriors are seeing 61 percent of the action on the moneyline and 70 percent of the action to cover the 5-point spread as a road favorite," Michael Stewart of CarbonSports.ag tells Covers.
Stephen Curry and company are just 6-7 against the spread in the playoffs so far, but the Under has been red hot in their games, going 2-10-1 Over/Under and cashing in three-straight.
The total for Game 4 has opened at its lowest mark in the series to date and is seeing some good two-way action according to Stewart.
"With the under hitting on the first three games of the series we have set the total for game four at 213.5 and it is seeing dead-even action with 50 percent on both the over and the under," Stewart says.
The Golden State Warriors can break out the brooms and sweep the Houston Rockets in Game 4 of their Western Conference finals series in Texas Monday evening.
The Warriors, off a 35-point blowout win in Game 3 Saturday, opened as 4.5-point road faves at most shops for Monday's meeting, but are now up to -5.
"The Warriors are seeing 61 percent of the action on the moneyline and 70 percent of the action to cover the 5-point spread as a road favorite," Michael Stewart of CarbonSports.ag tells Covers.
Stephen Curry and company are just 6-7 against the spread in the playoffs so far, but the Under has been red hot in their games, going 2-10-1 Over/Under and cashing in three-straight.
The total for Game 4 has opened at its lowest mark in the series to date and is seeing some good two-way action according to Stewart.
"With the under hitting on the first three games of the series we have set the total for game four at 213.5 and it is seeing dead-even action with 50 percent on both the over and the under," Stewart says.
Game of the Day: Warriors at Rockets by covers
Game of the Day: Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets (+3.5, 213)
Warriors lead series 3-0
The Golden State Warriors are one victory away from advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1975 and look to finish off a sweep of the host Houston Rockets on Monday. Golden State dismantled Houston 115-80 in Game 3 to take the commanding lead and no team in NBA history has recovered from such a deficit.
League MVP Stephen Curry poured in 40 points and was 7-of-9 from 3-point range on Saturday and he promises that the Warriors aren’t about to take their foot off the pedal. “We have five more wins to accomplish our main goal and obviously one more to get one step closer,” Curry said during Sunday’s press conference, “so until that happens there’s no time to really lose focus or to change anything about how we’ve gotten here.” The Rockets are on the other side of the equation and were demoralized during the contest and downright depressed following it. “We can’t fold. We can’t quit because we’re down,” center Dwight Howard said after Saturday’s game. “It’s easy to just give up and say they’re playing great. But they’re going to have to take all of us out on a stretcher.”
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
LINE HISTORY: Most books initially opened the Rockets +4.5, but that's been bet down a full point to +3.5 since.
INJURY REPORT: Warriors - O. Kuzmic (questionable), Speights (out indefinitely). Rockets - McDaniels (out indefinitely), Motiejunas (out for season), Beverley (out for season).
WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "The Rockets return to the scene of the crime after Saturday’s puzzling 35-point obliteration by the Warriors. It not only marked the first time Houston had dropped three straight games this season, but it was also the worst home defeat suffered by the Rockets since a 114-80 wipeout loss to the then-Seattle Supersonics in 1998. Meanwhile Golden State looks to close out the series knowing 3-0 road teams are 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS in Game 4 of the conference finals since 1991. Does pride rear its head or does history repeat itself? Stay tuned."
WHAT BOOKS SAY: "No sharp action on the game, but a heavy majority of the betting public think the Warriors will not only sweep Houston, but cover as well. We opened Golden State -5 and 83 percent of bets and 84 percent of betting cash is backing Golden State. Houston sure looked listless on Saturday evening, so its difficult to think that the Rockets will play any differently for Game 4." Michael Pierce, TopBet.eu.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS: Curry’s sharpshooting has been superb this postseason and he has made 64 3-pointers to surpass the single-season playoff record set by Reggie Miller (58 in 2000) while also becoming the first player to drain five or more in five consecutive postseason games. “Just trying to have ultimate confidence every time I step foot on the floor that every shot you take is going to go in and just enjoy the moment,” Curry told reporters. Curry has 107 points in the series, third-best all-time in a player’s first three conference finals games behind Rick Barry (116) and Amar’e Stoudemire (112).
ABOUT THE ROCKETS: Houston will need a much better effort from NBA runner-up James Harden if it is to rebound from the worst home postseason defeat in franchise history. The star guard was just 3-of-16 shooting while scoring a playoff-low 17 points as he struggled while being defended primarily by Andre Iguodala and Harrison Barnes after having little trouble scoring against Klay Thompson over the first two games. “We were too relaxed, we were too comfortable,” Harden told reporters of the club’s woeful effort. “We were playing downhill the majority of the game. Trying to come back, trying to fight. The fight wasn’t enough.”
TRENDS:
*Rockets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
*Under is 9-1 in Warriors last 10 overall.
*Road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
*Warriors are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
COVERS CONSENSUS: Bets on Covers Consensus are split right down the middle, with each side receiving 50 percent of support each as of this writing.
Game of the Day: Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets (+3.5, 213)
Warriors lead series 3-0
The Golden State Warriors are one victory away from advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1975 and look to finish off a sweep of the host Houston Rockets on Monday. Golden State dismantled Houston 115-80 in Game 3 to take the commanding lead and no team in NBA history has recovered from such a deficit.
League MVP Stephen Curry poured in 40 points and was 7-of-9 from 3-point range on Saturday and he promises that the Warriors aren’t about to take their foot off the pedal. “We have five more wins to accomplish our main goal and obviously one more to get one step closer,” Curry said during Sunday’s press conference, “so until that happens there’s no time to really lose focus or to change anything about how we’ve gotten here.” The Rockets are on the other side of the equation and were demoralized during the contest and downright depressed following it. “We can’t fold. We can’t quit because we’re down,” center Dwight Howard said after Saturday’s game. “It’s easy to just give up and say they’re playing great. But they’re going to have to take all of us out on a stretcher.”
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
LINE HISTORY: Most books initially opened the Rockets +4.5, but that's been bet down a full point to +3.5 since.
INJURY REPORT: Warriors - O. Kuzmic (questionable), Speights (out indefinitely). Rockets - McDaniels (out indefinitely), Motiejunas (out for season), Beverley (out for season).
WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "The Rockets return to the scene of the crime after Saturday’s puzzling 35-point obliteration by the Warriors. It not only marked the first time Houston had dropped three straight games this season, but it was also the worst home defeat suffered by the Rockets since a 114-80 wipeout loss to the then-Seattle Supersonics in 1998. Meanwhile Golden State looks to close out the series knowing 3-0 road teams are 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS in Game 4 of the conference finals since 1991. Does pride rear its head or does history repeat itself? Stay tuned."
WHAT BOOKS SAY: "No sharp action on the game, but a heavy majority of the betting public think the Warriors will not only sweep Houston, but cover as well. We opened Golden State -5 and 83 percent of bets and 84 percent of betting cash is backing Golden State. Houston sure looked listless on Saturday evening, so its difficult to think that the Rockets will play any differently for Game 4." Michael Pierce, TopBet.eu.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS: Curry’s sharpshooting has been superb this postseason and he has made 64 3-pointers to surpass the single-season playoff record set by Reggie Miller (58 in 2000) while also becoming the first player to drain five or more in five consecutive postseason games. “Just trying to have ultimate confidence every time I step foot on the floor that every shot you take is going to go in and just enjoy the moment,” Curry told reporters. Curry has 107 points in the series, third-best all-time in a player’s first three conference finals games behind Rick Barry (116) and Amar’e Stoudemire (112).
ABOUT THE ROCKETS: Houston will need a much better effort from NBA runner-up James Harden if it is to rebound from the worst home postseason defeat in franchise history. The star guard was just 3-of-16 shooting while scoring a playoff-low 17 points as he struggled while being defended primarily by Andre Iguodala and Harrison Barnes after having little trouble scoring against Klay Thompson over the first two games. “We were too relaxed, we were too comfortable,” Harden told reporters of the club’s woeful effort. “We were playing downhill the majority of the game. Trying to come back, trying to fight. The fight wasn’t enough.”
TRENDS:
*Rockets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
*Under is 9-1 in Warriors last 10 overall.
*Road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
*Warriors are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
COVERS CONSENSUS: Bets on Covers Consensus are split right down the middle, with each side receiving 50 percent of support each as of this writing.
| [h=1]NBA Basketball Consensus: Public Picks[/h] | |||||||
| Time | Teams | ATS | Moneyline | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (ET) | Picks | Percentage | Picks | Percentage | Picks | Percentage | |
| Monday, May 25, 2015 | |||||||
| 9:00pm odds | (513) Golden State Warriors (514) Houston Rockets | 6729 4826 |
| 2286 2486 |
| O4026 U3099 |
|
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Good luck XS......Go Rockets!
Thanks and good luck tonight my friends!!!
| NBA Basketball Consensus: Public Picks | |||||||
| Time | Teams | ATS | Moneyline | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (ET) | Picks | Percentage | Picks | Percentage | Picks | Percentage | |
| Tuesday, May 26, 2015 | |||||||
| 8:30pm odds | (515) Atlanta Hawks (516) Cleveland Cavaliers | 2778 2165 |
| 957 952 |
| O2072 U1032 |
|
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