The Houston Rockets are just 2-5 straight up and 1-6 against the spread over their last seven games. The Rockets will try to build on a two-game winning streak when they host the Golden State Warriors this Thursday night.
Warriors vs. Rockets odds 2018: Houston betting underdog in matchup with Golden State
The shorthanded Houston Rockets can cut into the Golden State Warriors’ conference lead with an upset win at home in Thursday’s marquee matchup.
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Houston opened as a 3.5-point home underdog at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. In their last three games as a home underdog, the Rockets are 0-3 SU and ATS, with two of those losses coming against Golden State.
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets
When: Thursday, January 4, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Toyota Center, Houston
Betting Line: Golden State -3.5
Houston Rockets
James Harden put up 40 points and had 11 assists in Houston’s New Year’s Eve win over the Los Angeles Lakers. But the celebration of snapping a five-game losing streak was short lived after it was revealed that the Rockets would be without their star guard for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury.
The return of Chris Paul helps to lessen the blow, but there is no replacement for a player like Harden, who averages 32.3 points and 9.1 assists per game.
Houston’s 116-98 win as 7.5-point road favorites over Orlando on Wednesday night brought a welcome reprieve to the team’s recent ATS struggles. The Rockets are just 3-9-1 ATS over their last 14 games per the OddsShark NBA Database.
Golden State Warriors
Golden State wrapped up 2017 with a 14-2 SU and 8-8 ATS run. Like Houston, the Warriors also opened 2018 with a road win on Wednesday night, but failed to cover the spread as 8-point favorites in Dallas.
Steph Curry hasn’t missed a beat after missing 11 games with an ankle injury in averaging 35 points per game in his two games since returning. The Warriors are 11-3 SU and 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14 games against the Rockets.
The UNDER has gone 4-1 in Houston’s last five games for totals bettors.
Thanks to Houston’s recent losing streak, the Warriors have surged ahead of the Rockets in the standings and now hold a two-game lead for the top spot in the West. This race for home field advantage in the postseason could get out of hand in a hurry with Harden’s injury, putting added emphasis on this key home game for Houston on Thursday.
