Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets Free Prediction

The Houston Rockets (6-7) will have their chance to take down the league’s top team when they meet the Golden State Warriors (12-3) at the Toyota Center. The game will air on TNT at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 15, 2018.

Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets ATS Odds

The Rockets hope to maintain momentum after defeating the Denver Nuggets in their last matchup, 109-99, as 4.5-point underdogs. The Warriors, on the other hand, beat the Atlanta Hawks, 110-103, but were unable to cover as 11.5-point favorites. The Houston game finished 9.5 points under the projected point total of 217.5, while the Golden State game went 16 points under the projected point total of 229.

Golden State dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.220 (above their season average of 0.206) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 28.9 (above their season average of 23.1). For those same stats, Atlanta had marks of 0.124 and 22.2, respectively. The Rockets, on the other hand, had a solid free throw rate of 0.254 (above their season average of 0.184) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.641 (above their season average of 0.497). James Harden played well for Houston with 22 points, 11 assists and five rebounds. Meanwhile, Kevin Durant led the way for Golden State, finishing with 29 points and six rebounds.

This was a highly contested series last year. Each won five of the 10 games played against each other last season. In the last matchup, the Warriors won 101-92. Golden State made 16 of its 39 three pointers (41.0 percent). Houston, meanwhile, had a better free throw rate (0.144 vs. 0.087). This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year.

Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the total of Warriors games, with 8 overs compared to 7 unders. Golden State heads into the contest with records of 12-3 straight up (SU) and 8-7 against the spread (ATS).

Contrary to Golden State, just over half of Rockets games have finished under the total. Additionally, Houston owns records of 6-7 SU and 5-8 ATS.

Klay Thompson has taken his game to another level as of late for Golden State, averaging 25.6 points and 1.2 steals over the last five games.

Golden State could dominate on the offensive side of the ball as their prolific offense goes up against one of the NBA’s worst defenses. The Warriors currently rank first in offensive efficiency, while Houston ranks 21st in defensive efficiency.

Warriors at Rockets Free Pick

Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Warriors, ATS Winner – Warriors, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

The Warriors are 26th in the NBA with 42.5 points in the paint per game while the Rockets are 28th with 40.9 points in the paint per game.

Houston averages 41.8 three pointers per game, which ranks first in the NBA. Golden State ranks 28th in three pointers allowed per game (35.0).

The Rockets average 8.4 steals per game, which ranks ninth in the NBA. The Warriors rank 22nd in steals allowed per game (8.5).

Houston ranks fourth in second chance points allowed per game (11.2) while Golden State ranks 11th (12.2).

Golden State ranks second in blocks allowed per game (3.5) while Houston ranks sixth (4.7).

The Warriors rank first in assists per game (29.9) while the Rockets rank 28th (20.0).

The Warriors rank third in rebounds allowed per game (41.3) while the Rockets rank ninth (43.6).

Golden State ranks fourth in fast break points per game (18.7) while Houston ranks 24th (10.9).

When allowing less than 100 points, Houston is 3-2 and Golden State is 1-0.

The Warriors are 12-2 when they score over 100 points, while the Rockets are 4-3.

Houston is 1-4 ATS at home, while Golden State is 2-4 ATS on the road.

The total has gone over in 3 of the Rockets’ 5 home games, while 5 of the Warriors’ 6 road games have gone over.

Bettings Trends:

The Rockets are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Warriors are 2-3.

In their last five games, Houston has 4 unders and 1 over, while Golden State has 3 unders and 2 overs.

The Rockets have outscored opponents by an average of 0.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Houston has been defeated by an average of 3.5 points.

During their last five games, the Warriors have scored an average of 114.0 points per game (6.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 111.8 points per game (0.8 above their season average).