The NBA Cup is heating up as the competition continues Wednesday night, with the last spot in the semifinals at stake. The Atlanta Hawks have already secured their position by defeating the New York Knicks, and now the Houston Rockets are set to face the Golden State Warriors for a chance to advance to Las Vegas.
The knockout stage kicked off on Tuesday, with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder also earning their spots in the final four.
The matchup between the Rockets and Warriors is slated for 9:30 p.m. ET at the Toyota Center in Houston, broadcasted live on TNT.
In terms of betting odds, the Rockets are favored by 2.5 points, with an over/under of 221.5 points. It’s worth noting that the Warriors have bested the Rockets in both encounters this season; however, these games took place without star player Stephen Curry. This raises the question of how different the outcomes might be now that he’s in the lineup, but basketball games can be unpredictable, and the earlier victories might not reflect the current dynamics.
Recent performance trends indicate that the Golden State Warriors have struggled, going 2-6 in their last eight games with a -5.2 net rating. Conversely, the Rockets have shown steady improvement and resilience, making them a formidable opponent. With both Amen Thompson and Dillon Brooks likely tasked with defending Curry, the Rockets could be well-positioned to make a strong statement in this tournament, possibly considering it a chance to establish themselves as true contenders in the league.
In summary, the atmosphere surrounding the Rockets and Warriors game is charged with anticipation as the stakes are high, and the Rockets may very well leverage this opportunity to assert their status in the NBA landscape. The recommendation for bettors is to favor the Rockets, given their recent performance and the dynamics of the matchup.
Overall, this tournament could mark a turning point for the Rockets, and as they prepare to face the Warriors, fans are optimistic for an exciting and competitive game filled with potential surprises.