Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets NBA Picks & Predictions 5/16/2018

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Toyota Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Golden State Warriors head to Toyota Center to take on the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. Golden State leads the series 1-0 after winning 119-106 in Game 1. The opening line for this game has Houston as 2 point favorites.

The Warriors had a regular season record of 58-24. They were 1st in the Pacific Division. They had a point differential of 6.0 as they averaged 113.5 points per game while giving up 107.5 per contest. The Rockets had an overall mark of 65-17. They finished 1st in the Southwest Division. They totaled 112.4 points per contest and gave up 103.9, which is a point differential of 8.5.

Valuable Golden State Warriors Betting Trends

The Golden State Warriors are 39-51-3 against the spread

The Golden State Warriors are 45-47-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 47-44-2 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 39-52-0 against the over/under

Key Golden State Warriors Injuries

05/15/18 G Stephen Curry Calf is probable Wednesday vs Houston
05/08/18 G Patrick McCaw Back is out indefinitely

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Klay Thompson comes into this game averaging 20 points per contest while playing 34.3 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 3.8 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.5 assists per game. His FG percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is 84%. Kevin Durant averages 26.4 points per contest in 34.2 minutes per game this year. He averages 5.4 assists per game and 6.8 rebounds per contest for Golden State. His field goal percentage is 52% for the season while his free throw percentage is 89%.

Player Spotlight

James Harden has scored 30.4 points per contest while playing 35.4 minutes per game this season for the Rockets. He hauls in 5.4 rebounds per contest and has 8.8 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 86%. Eric Gordon averages 18 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 31.2 minutes per game. He also brings in 2.5 rebounds per game and 2.2 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

Golden State averages 113.5 points per contest this year, which is 1st in the league. Their average scoring margin is 5.98 and their shooting percentage is 50% as a unit, which has them ranked 1st. From 3-point territory they shoot 39%, which is good for 1st in the NBA. They average 43.5 boards per contest and 29.3 assists per game, which ranks them 17th and 1st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 5th with 15.5 per game. The Warriors allow 107.5 points per contest which is 18th in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 3rd and 10th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 42.5 rebounds a game which ranks 8th, and they allow 23.6 assists per game which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 14.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 15th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 2nd in the NBA with 112.4 points per contest this season. They are 15th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 8.48. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 13th in the league. They are 18th in the NBA in rebounding with 43.5 boards per contest and 26th in assists per game with 21.5. The Rockets are 19th in turnovers per contest with 13.8. The Rockets give up 103.9 points per game, which ranks them 7th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 15th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 22.4 dimes allowed per game and 4th with 42 boards surrendered per contest. The Rockets are 21st in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Warriors are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.6, and their defensive rating of 107.7 is ranked 20th. In terms of pace they are 5th in the league with 99.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 57% is 1st. As a team they are 1st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 60% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 15th in the league. Golden State is 3rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 26th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 19th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 18th in the NBA. The Rockets are 1st in the league in defensive rating with 106.1, and their offensive rating of 114.7 is ranked 25th. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 97.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 2nd. As a unit they are 2nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Houston -2

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink