It’s a potential Western Conference Finals preview on Friday night when the NBA’s best team, the Golden State Warriors, visits the Houston Rockets and arguably this season’s best player in MVP candidate James Harden. And the Warriors, who will be favored on NBA lines, will be looking for some payback.
When: Friday, Jan. 20, 8 PM ET
Where: Toyota Center, Houston
TV: ESPN
Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Golden State / Houston
NBA Odds: Warriors favored by TBA
Golden State is averaging 117.7 points per game, which is the most in the NBA since the Warriors averaged 118.7 in 1991-92. Last season, they averaged 114.9 points per game. A big portion of that success comes from their uncanny ability to share the ball. The Warriors average 31.3 assists per game, trailing only the L.A. Lakers of 1984-85 in NBA annals (31.4). They had 37 assists in the win over Cleveland, giving them 28 games of at least 30 assists this season. The second-closest team is the San Antonio Spurs, who have eight such games. Draymond Green has 14 games this season in which he’s had double figures in assists. Golden State is undefeated in those contests.
The Warriors have scored 100 or more points in 40 games this season (36-4 in those contests). The Warriors have scored at least 100 points in all 22 home games this season, the longest streak in the NBA this season. That home streak extends to 49 consecutive contests from Dec. 28, 2015 to Jan. 16, 2017, the third-longest streak in Warriors franchise history.
Golden State has shot 50 percent or better from the field in 21 games this season and is a league-best 21-0 in those games. The Warriors have two streaks of four straight games or more of shooting 50 percent or better from the field (five games, 11/7-11/16 and four games, 12/28-1/4).
The Rockets have already hit 15+ 3FGM a franchise-high 25 times this season, including an NBA record five straight games from 12/10-12/17. No other team has more than 11 games with 15+ 3FGM this season through games played on 1/17. Golden State hit 15+ 3FGM an NBA record 27 times in 2015-16, but just 16 times over the first 44 games of the season.
Houston has attempted 40+ 3FGA 21 times this season, breaking its own NBA record for the most games in a single season (12 times in 2014-15)… the Rockets have also had 50+ 3FGA five times this season after no team had more than 49 prior to this season in NBA history.
Houston has won 16 games by 10+ points overall this season (14 in 2015-16), including seven by 20+ (six in 2015-16). The Rockets are 8-2 in games deci
ded by four or fewer points this season after going 11-10 in 2015-16. Houston has not trailed in three games this season. The Rockets won at the Warriors 132-127 in double OT on Dec. 1. Golden State missed its first eight shots of the second overtime and never led. Golden State shot 12-of- 44 from 3-point range. Harden had 15 rebounds and 13 assists with his 29 points. Kevin Durant had a game-high 39 points on 28 FGA. The Warriors had won the past eight meetings overall. Houston is looking to win two straight for the first time since 12/6/13-12/13/13.
The Warriors have won four in a row in Houston and will make it five as long as every starter does play.
Golden State at Houston Lines, Free Pick & TV Info
When: Friday, Jan. 20, 8 PM ET
Where: Toyota Center, Houston
TV: ESPN
Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Golden State / Houston
NBA Odds: Warriors favored by TBA
Why Bet on Golden State?
Actually, the Warriors could be a bit flat here after a dominant win over Cleveland in an NBA Finals rematch on Monday and then another tough game vs. Oklahoma City on Wednesday. Golden State reached the midpoint of the season at 35-6. They have now reached the 41-game halfway point with that record or better in three consecutive seasons. The Chicago Bulls, in 1991-92, 1995-96 and 1996-97, are the only other team to be 35-6 or better in three straight seasons.Golden State is averaging 117.7 points per game, which is the most in the NBA since the Warriors averaged 118.7 in 1991-92. Last season, they averaged 114.9 points per game. A big portion of that success comes from their uncanny ability to share the ball. The Warriors average 31.3 assists per game, trailing only the L.A. Lakers of 1984-85 in NBA annals (31.4). They had 37 assists in the win over Cleveland, giving them 28 games of at least 30 assists this season. The second-closest team is the San Antonio Spurs, who have eight such games. Draymond Green has 14 games this season in which he’s had double figures in assists. Golden State is undefeated in those contests.
The Warriors have scored 100 or more points in 40 games this season (36-4 in those contests). The Warriors have scored at least 100 points in all 22 home games this season, the longest streak in the NBA this season. That home streak extends to 49 consecutive contests from Dec. 28, 2015 to Jan. 16, 2017, the third-longest streak in Warriors franchise history.
Golden State has shot 50 percent or better from the field in 21 games this season and is a league-best 21-0 in those games. The Warriors have two streaks of four straight games or more of shooting 50 percent or better from the field (five games, 11/7-11/16 and four games, 12/28-1/4).
Why Bet on Houston?
The Rockets laid an egg Tuesday night in Miami as Eric Gordon hit just 3-of- 17 shots and 1-of- 10 3-pointers for seven points, one rebound and one assist in a 109-103 loss to the Heat. Harden hit just 12-of-30 shots, 4-of- 15 3-pointers and 12-of- 13 free throws for 40 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to record his 13th triple-double of the season. Clint Capela played for the first time in 15 games after a broken leg and started on Tuesday, but missed all three of his shots and didn’t score in just nine minutes of action.The Rockets have already hit 15+ 3FGM a franchise-high 25 times this season, including an NBA record five straight games from 12/10-12/17. No other team has more than 11 games with 15+ 3FGM this season through games played on 1/17. Golden State hit 15+ 3FGM an NBA record 27 times in 2015-16, but just 16 times over the first 44 games of the season.
Houston has attempted 40+ 3FGA 21 times this season, breaking its own NBA record for the most games in a single season (12 times in 2014-15)… the Rockets have also had 50+ 3FGA five times this season after no team had more than 49 prior to this season in NBA history.
Houston has won 16 games by 10+ points overall this season (14 in 2015-16), including seven by 20+ (six in 2015-16). The Rockets are 8-2 in games deci
ded by four or fewer points this season after going 11-10 in 2015-16. Houston has not trailed in three games this season. The Rockets won at the Warriors 132-127 in double OT on Dec. 1. Golden State missed its first eight shots of the second overtime and never led. Golden State shot 12-of- 44 from 3-point range. Harden had 15 rebounds and 13 assists with his 29 points. Kevin Durant had a game-high 39 points on 28 FGA. The Warriors had won the past eight meetings overall. Houston is looking to win two straight for the first time since 12/6/13-12/13/13.
Golden State at Houston Free Pick: Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have won four in a row in Houston and will make it five as long as every starter does play.
