Spurs and Rockets Series Now Best of 3
On Tuesday, the NBA Western Conference semifinals best of seven series between the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs will tip off from AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The current line has San Antonio favored by 5.5 points with the over/under point total sitting on 214.5. This series is tied 2-2 heading into this pivotal fifth game.
The series has been reduced to a best of 3 with two games in San Antonio if needed and one in Houston. Last Sunday, Houston evened the series with a 125-104 victory hitting 19 shots from 3-point territory and scoring 68 points during the second half.
Spurs veteran swingman Manu Ginobili has called Game 5 equal to a Game 7. For the Spurs that could be the case since Game 6 returns to Houston and if the Spurs are down 3-2 in the series the Rockets could put them away.
In Game 4, Houston took a big blow when reserve center Nene torn an adductor muscle or more commonly known as a groin muscle and will not return for the remainder of the postseason.
Nene and starting center Clint Capela had been giving Houston good production inside and now Houston must use Ryan Anderson and Montrezl Harrell at center when both are usually power forwards.
San Antonio’s situation at point guard is equally difficult for the Spurs as is center for Houston. Tony Parker injured his quadriceps in Game 2 and he too will miss the remainder of the postseason. Dejounte Murray a rookie has started the last two games in Parker’s absence.
Backup point guard Patty Mills has pickup up his scoring since Parker went down injured. San Antonio’s star forward and leading scorer Kawhi Leonard scored only 16 points in Sunday’s loss.
LaMarcus Aldridge is averaging just 15.3 points and 6.4 rebounds during the series for the Spurs.
Houston high scorer James Harden has averaged 35.5 points per game over the past two games.
Spurs backup center Pau Gasol has averaged just 8 points per game during the series.
Houston is 5-13 ATS over its past 18 games played.
San Antonio is 4-1 ATS in its past 5 games played at home.
Prediction: The Spurs are minus Tony Parker and that was exploited on Sunday in a loss to Houston. Lean here toward the visiting Rockets to cover the number.
