NBA Preview: The Spurs will need to corral James Harden while the Rockets will need to ground Kawhi Leonard.
#3 Houston Rockets (59-28) at #2 San Antonio Spurs (65-23), Monday, 9:30 p.m. EST
Line: Spurs -5.5. Total 213.
This was a very competitive series in the regular season. Three of the four games were decided by two points and the other game was decided by six points. I do not see any reason why the playoff series will not be just as competitive as the regular season series.
The Spurs won the regular season series 3-1. The home team only won once when the Spurs won the fourth game of the series 112-110 on March 6. All four games went under the Vegas total on the closing line.
This series provides another marquee matchup of MVP candidates who will likely finish second and third in the voting behind Russell Westbrook. James Harden will finish second in the MVP voting, which is a shame for the incredible season he had. Kawhi Leonard will likely finish third, unless LeBron James edges him out for the #3 spot in the voting.
Harden averaged 29.8 points per game, 11.8 assists per game and 9.3 rebounds per game against San Antonio this season. Harden had two triple-doubles against the Spurs. Leonard averaged 28.5 points per game, 2.5 assists per game while grabbing 5 rebounds per game against Houston.
This series should be the best playoff series of the first two rounds. Both teams have great supporting casts and deep benches. No lead will be safe in this series.
The fourth meeting between these two teams on March 6 is the only game these two teams have played head-to-head since late December. Consequently, this is a game that may best match the type of game you should see in the playoffs.
Houston jumped out to a 39-23 lead after the first quarter. Harden was on fire, shooting 6-for-7 from the field, scoring 18 points in the quarter. The Rockets shot 69.6% from the field. Kawhi Leonard scored 8 points while the Spurs bench added 9 points in the first quarter.
San Antonio outscored the Rockets 24-15 in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 7 points at the half. Leonard added 6 points while their bench added 9 more points in the second quarter. Harden was 2-for-2 for 5 points while Patrick Beverley added 6 points for Houston.
The Spurs outscored Houston 34-28 in the third quarter to cut the deficit to one point. Leonard scored 8 points and Tony Parker added 11 points, while the Spurs bench added 8 points. Harden was 4-for-6 from the field for 12 points, while Trevor Ariza added 9 points for Houston.
San Antonio outscored the Rockets 31-28 in the fourth quarter to win the game 112-110. Leonard went nuts with 17 points, while the Spurs bench added 8 points. Eric Gordon scored 8 points to lead a Rockets’ bench that scored 17 points in the fourth quarter. Leonard outscored Harden 17-4 in the quarter and Leonard hit the go-ahead three-pointer to go up 110-108.
Leonard was the primary defender on Harden in that fourth quarter. He blocked a Harden layup and then hit two free-throws to make the score 112-108.
I generally like to wait for Game 1 of a series to be played before deciding whether I want to zig or zag with my bet for Game 2.
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