Houston Rockets vs San Antonio Spurs Betting Preview
May 11, 2017
Date & Time: Thursday, May 11 @8:00 PM
Venue: Toyota Center (Houston, Texas)
Head to head record
San Antonio Spurs vs Houston Rockets 110-107 (2016/2017 NBA)
Houston Rockets vs San Antonio Spurs 125-104 (2016/2017 NBA)
Houston Rockets vs San Antonio Spurs 92-103 (2016/2017 NBA)
San Antonio Spurs vs Houston Rockets 121-96 (2016/2017 NBA)
San Antonio Spurs vs Houston Rockets 99-126 (2016/2017 NBA)
Houston Rockets vs San Antonio Spurs prediction
Houston Rockets face a do or die situation in Thursday’s clash against San Antonio Spurs. Gregg Popovich’s men are
hit by injuries ahead of Game 6, but they should not be written off just yet.
Must-win game
Houston Rockets have been producing fine performances in the series against San Antonio Spurs, but they suffered a 110-107 overtime loss to Gregg Popovich’s team in Game 5 and, as a result, they face a must-win situation in Thursday’s clash at their Toyota Center. Houston are tough to beat at home and seeing that Spurs head into the game with a severely-weakened roster, it is no surprise the hosts are seen as hot favorites to win the match and tie the series to 3-3. James Harden scored 33 points in the 110-107 loss to San Antonio, but it has to be noted that “The Beard” had a shot blocked in the dying seconds of the game. Rockets recorded a win in each of their three meetings with Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center earlier in the process, but they will have to prove their worth on the court.
Nene Hilario is out for the play-offs with a groin injury, but the center is the only absentee in the home team. Coach Mike D’Antoni is likely to stick to the starting line-up that faced Spurs in Game 5.
Injury blows
It is well known that Tony Parker suffered a serious (knee) injury in Game 4, but, to make things even worse for the fans, key player Kawhi Leonard picked up a knock in the 110-107 victory over Houston Rockets. The team’s top scorer is rated doubtful for Thursday’s showdown and without him in the starting line-up Spurs will have slim chances of winning the game. Gregg Popovich should rest Kawhi Leonard for the decider and I do not believe that there is a big value in betting on the visitors in this one. Spurs are not regarded as good travelers and you should bear in mind that they suffered five defeats in previous seven away games in NBA. In Kawhi Leonard’s (probable) absence a man to watch in the away team will be LaMarcus Aldridge, who scored 18 points in Game 5, while adding 14 rebounds.
Tony Parker is definitely sidelined with a knee injury, while aforementioned superstar Kawhi Leonard is a major doubt and he will be assessed on the match day. Gregg Popovich has no other fresh injury worries ahead of the trip to Houston.
Interesting facts
- Houston recorded five wins in last six home games
- James Harden has been averaging 25.9 points in last ten games
- Spurs scored 100- points in three of their last seven away matches
- In their last meeting at Toyota Center Rockets crushed Spurs (125-104)
- Kawhi Leonard has 23.8 points per game in the tie against Houston
Houston Rockets vs San Antonio Spurs betting pick
Kawhi Leonard could recover in time to face Houston Rockets at Toyota Center, but seeing that San Antonio’s performances on the road leave a lot to be desired, I believe that there is a big value in betting on Rockets, who want this win more than their opponents. James Harden is enjoying probably the best season of his career and he is likely to prove a handful for Spurs on Thursday evening.
Pick: Houston Rockets -7.5
Odds: -110
