GSW @ HOU

Game 4

Warriors Lead 2-1

Time: 8:30 PM CT (TNT)

Spread: EVEN

Total: 220

Odds c/o 5dimes

The Houston Rockets rebounded after losing the first two games of the series on the road in Golden State. The Rockets defended its home court with a 126-121 victory to pull the Best of Seven series to 2-1. Game 4 will tip off tonight at 8:30 CT on TNT and the odds are set EVEN according to NBA oddsmakers at 5dimes. The over/under is set at 220 combined points, a figure that has been eclipsed in two of the series’ three games thus far.

Houston got a monster game from two of its three starting guards in Game 3. James Harden finished 14 of 32 for 41 points, nine rebounds, and six assists while Eric Gordon showed up in his start with 30 points on 11 of 20 shooting, including 7 of 14 from three-point range. Houston shot 48.4 percent from the field and connected on 18 of 42 (43 percent) from behind the arc. The Rockets also held a commanding +20 advantage on the glass, which made up for the fact that Houston had more turnovers (13 to 8). The Rockets had 17 offensive rebounds, with Clint Capela and PJ Tucker each snagging five apiece.  Capela finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds, though he was -8 for his 35 minutes of court time. The Warriors erased a seven-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter to tie the game and force OT, but Houston dominated the extra time and won the overtime 14-9.

Kevin Durant was huge again for the Dubs in its losing cause. He finished with a game-high 46 points on 14 of 31 shooting while knocking down 6 of 10 from three and all 12 of his free throws. It was not enough to make up for Stephen Curry’s awful performance. Curry hit just 7 of 23 from the field and 2 of 9 from three, and he finished -1 for his 45 minutes of court time. Eric Gordon did a sensational job staying on Curry and preventing open looks, and the Dubs will have to get more creative with its screen sets to get Curry better looks in Game 4.

The Rockets starters shot 38 of 78 from the field, and it got just 21 points from its bench on collective 7 of 15 shooting. The Rockets are tightening up its rotation, with only guards Austin Rivers and Iman Shumpert seeing significant minutes in the second unit. Similarly, Golden State is really only turning to Kevon Looney for backup 5 minutes and Shaun Livingston as a third guard in its rotation.

With the games’ importance rising, the teams are going more heavily to its starters. One thing is certain if the Rockets can continue to contain Curry, this series easily could go its way.

ATS TRENDS (C/o Covers):