Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors NBA Picks & Predictions 5/20/2018

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Oracle Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Houston Rockets travel to Oracle Arena to play the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, May 20, 2018 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. The series is tied 1-1 after Houston ran away with a 127-105 win in Game 2. The opening line for this matchup has Golden State as 7 point favorites.

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

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 48-44-2 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 40-52-0 against the over/under

Important Golden State Warriors Betting Trends

The Golden State Warriors are 39-52-3 against the spread

The Golden State Warriors are 46-47-0 against the over/under

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Golden State Warriors Injuries

05/08/18 G Patrick McCaw Back is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Eric Gordon comes into this contest averaging 18 points per game while playing 31.2 minutes per night so far this season for the Rockets. He pulls down 2.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is currently at 81%. Chris Paul averages 18.6 points per game in 31.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.9 assists per contest and 5.4 rebounds per game for Houston. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 92%.

Player Spotlight

Stephen Curry averages 26.4 points per game while playing 32 minutes per contest this year for the Warriors. He grabs 5.1 rebounds per game and has 6.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage currently is at 92%. Kevin Durant averages 26.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 34.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.8 rebounds per contest and 5.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 52% and his free throw percentage is 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 112.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 8.48 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 15th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 13th in the league. They average 43.5 rebounds per game and 21.5 assists per game, which ranks them 18th and 26th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 19th with 13.8 per game. The Rockets allow 103.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 7th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 15th and 7th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42 rebounds a game which ranks 4th and they give up 22.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 11th place in the league. They force 14.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 21st in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Golden State is 1st in the league with 113.5 points per game this year. They are 1st in the league in shooting at 50%, while their average scoring margin is 5.98. They shoot 39% from 3-point range, which is good for 1st in the NBA. They are 17th in the league in rebounding with 43.5 boards per game, and 1st in assists per contest with 29.3. The Warriors are 5th in turnovers per game with 15.5. The Warriors surrender 107.5 points per contest, which ranks them 18th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 3rd and 10th in those defensive statistics. They rank 16th with 23.6 assists allowed per contest and 8th with 42.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Warriors are 15th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

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

Advanced Statistics

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

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

Josh's Pick: Take Golden State -7

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