Through four games, the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors are knotted up at two wins apiece. So what can we expect from Wednesday night’s Rockets-Warriors Game 5?
Game details: Here’s a look at the start time, television information and odds for tonight’s Rockets vs. Warriors Game 5.
- When: 10:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
- TV: TNT
- Betting line: Golden State -6 / 219.5 points
The big picture: A tightly contested series throughout, all four games so far have been decided by six points or less. Golden State won the first two at Oracle, then Houston responded with two wins of their own at home. Seven games seems likely, unless the Rockets can find a way to seize homecourt advantage with a win in Game 5.
Here’s a look at some bold predictions for Rockets-Warriors Game 5.
Draymond Green gets ejected
Chris Paul has gotten under the skin of Green in this series already. During Game 4, tempers flared in a big way. James Harden accidentally elbowed Green as he contested a three. On the next play, Green shoved Paul.
Paul isn’t going to back down. He seems to revel in being a pest. And Green is an easy target. Given how tight this series has been so far, and given how Green tends to hold grudges, we predict things come to a head in Game 5 and that the Warriors star ends up getting tossed.
P.J. Tucker scores 20-plus in dominant performance
The heart and soul of Houston’s roster, Tucker has already had a tremendous impact on the series so far. He’s been incredible on both ends of the court since a dismal Game 1, posting two double-doubles and hitting six three-pointers.
As his team strives for a huge road win in Oakland, Tucker will put together his most complete game yet. We’re predicting another double-double, with the 34-year-old veteran scoring at least 20 points in Game 5.
Klay finally shrugs off his slump
Klay Thompson is slogging through the Western Conference Semifinals. He’s been visibly frustrated due to poor play on both ends of the court. His shooting touch has been woefully off. A 40.2% percent shooter from behind the arc during the regular season, Thompson has hit just 8-of-26 three-point attempts.
When he’s hot, there are few shooters who can match Thompson’s deadly aim. If Golden State is going to advance in this series, it will need him to get back to splashing threes. Thompson will finally rediscover his form in Game 5 with a breakout performance.
Chris Paul outplays Stephen Curry with masterful Game 5
Neither Curry nor Paul has really been a significant factor in this series — they have essentially canceled one another out. Aside from his 30-point effort in Game 4, Curry has looked like a shell of himself — partly due to his dislocated finger, though he’d never admit it.
That trend will continue in Game 5. Paul will finally emerge as a go-to scorer for Houston while proving bothersome on defense. We predict a 25-plus-point effort that includes double-digit assists and a few key steals. Meanwhile, Curry will continue to struggle from behind the arc en route to another mediocre performance by his own lofty standards.
Houston takes home-court advantage with nail-biting win
As we mentioned at the top, neither team has won a road game so far in this series. That will change Wednesday night as the Rockets gut out a narrow win and put the defending champs on the ropes.
James Harden will continue to put up big offensive numbers — especially if Green ends up getting tossed out of the game. Combined with dominant performances by Paul and Tucker, Houston will head back home for a potential series-clinching Game 6 on Friday.