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Facing a 2-0 Deficit, Rockets Given +425 Odds to Advance to WCF

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in NBA Basketball

Updated Mar 26, 2020 · 2:43 PM PDT

James Harden layup
Down 2-0 to the defending champion Golden State Warriors, James Harden and the Houston Rockets face an uphill climb to claw back into their NBA second-round playoff series. Photo by Keith Allison (Wikimedia Commons) [CC License].
  • The Houston Rockets are down 2-0 to the Golden State Warriors in their NBA Western Conference semifinal series
  • Sportsbooks list Houston at odds of +425 to win the series
  • Golden State blew a 2-0 series lead to Cleveland in the 2016 NBA Finals

Two games into the NBA Western Conference semfinal between the Houston Rockets and the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors, Houston is getting schooled.

YouTube video

Houston blamed its 104-100 Game 1 setback on the poor performance of the NBA officials assigned to work the game. Felled 115-109 in Game 2, the Rockets had no one to blame but themselves. Golden State played like champions. Houston played like pretenders to the throne.

The series now switches locales to Houston. Sportsbooks are offering odds of +425 that the Rockets can rally and win this series.

Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors Playoff Series Odds

Team Odds to Win Series
Houston Rockets +425
Golden State Warriors -650

*Odds taken on 05/01/19

Houston opened the series as +215 underdogs. The odds on the Rockets grew to +340 after their Game 1 loss. The Warriors have only ever lost two series when they’ve gone up 2-0 in the set.

The Rockets’ Red Glare

Houston players were visibly upset about the officiating during Game 1 and in some instances, they definitely had merit for complaint. Even players from other NBA teams joined in the criticism.

It also came to light that the Rockets had written to the league after their Game 7 loss to the Warriors in last spring’s Western Conference Finals, insinuating that the referees had likely changed the outcome of the NBA championship.

Here’s the thing – officiating is a factor in sports. But just like any other uncontrollable factor, whether it be injuries or bad bounces, you’ve got to play through it.

The great teams overcome obstacles. They don’t use them as excuses for failure.

Houston in Need of a Support Group

Both team’s respective stars – Houston’s James Harden (lacerated eyelid) and Golden State’s Stephen Curry (dislocated finger) – were forced to leave the floor during Game 2 due to injury. It didn’t seem to impact them adversely, however. Harden scored 29 points. Curry netted 20 points.

How these ailments affect each player going forward could be a factor, though. The key for Curry is that he can rely on a supporting cast. Both Kevin Durant (29) and Klay Thompson (21) topped 20 points in Game 2.

Houston’s Clint Capela, who averaged 16.6 points per game during the regular season, took two shots in total during Game 1.

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It’s All in their Head

The old theory is that it isn’t a playoff series until the home team loses. If the Rockets can hold home court, they go back to Golden State tied 2-2.

https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1123580329229312002

Will they, though? This is the fourth postseason meeting between these two teams in five years. Just one of the previous three took more than five games to decide.

Houston has a problem, and it isn’t the officials. The Rockets have allowed Golden State to take up residence inside their heads.

Don’t bet Houston, or you too will have a problem.

Pick: Golden State Warriors (-650)

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