NBA 2022/23, on Tuesday, 21.03.2023
For those who prefer kicking the ball to bouncing it, the exciting Euro 2024 qualifiers are on this week’s schedule. For everyone else, my Rockets Warriors tip could be a potentially winning sports bet!
Because tonight, I’m in good spirits that the Rockets will take down the defending champions. Yes, reader didn’t misunderstand me there – because the young Texans are playing better right now than at any other time this season.
It’s a little surprising that the defending champions only have an even 0.500 record after 72 games already this season – meaning they’ve won as many regular-season games as they’ve lost.
As things stand, that would not even be enough to qualify directly for the play-offs, but only for the 7-8 game of the so-called play-in-tournament. So Warriors fans definitely have reason to worry.
Of course, the Californians have been hampered in their playing possibilities this season by one injury or another. The prolonged absence of Stephen Curry, in particular, caused many avoidable defeats.
Although Stephen Curry has been back since the beginning of March and his performances are quite respectable, I smell a chance for a little surprise for the Rockets tonight.
The Texans have won all of their last three NBA games, while the Dubs have lost their last three – even though Curry put up 50 points against the Clippers.
Golden State is currently too dependent on the performance of its three-point king, and when he has an average night – as was the case against the Grizzlies yesterday – the Yellow and Blue are in trouble (119-133).
Against Memphis, the Warriors collectively posted a sub-par 42.9 field-goal percentage, making it clear that accuracy on their own shot attempts is not one of their strengths at the moment.
Furthermore, Andrew Wiggins, who is an important stabiliser in the game of the defending champions, is still absent.
In short, the Rockets, who are far and away at the bottom of the Western Conference, have the opportunity tonight to show critics and sports bettors alike what they are really capable of.
The Rockets have a lot of talent that has yet to form over the next few years. But thanks to the backing of the fans, they are playing perhaps their best home series of the entire season at the Toyota Center.
First they beat the strong Celtics (111:109), then the passable Lakers (114:110) and finally the Pelicans (114:112) – and the crowd always went along with them until the end.
The fact that the upcoming NBA duel will also be played in their own stadium can only be interpreted as an advantage for the Texans. In addition, the Rockets Warriors odds alone already provide good reasons for an underdog bet.
The odds disparity on the betting markets can also be explained by the fact that the Warriors have won each of the last nine head-to-head match-ups against the Texans.
That includes 127-120, 120-101 and 116-101 from this season. So in a sense, it’s 3-0 in favour of the Dubs after season duels – and yet I’m sticking with the underdog being able to cut it to 3-1 with momentum on their side.
An excellent betting incentive for this is also the 4.60 or so that the German bookmakers are currently offering for a Texans win – and why not?
After all, if they ever had a chance to beat the Golden State Warriors, it’s tonight.
By the way, free bet codes can also be entered for this game in order to take part in the exciting action at the Toyota Center completely risk-free.
Conclusion: There was a lack of timely precedent in my Rockets Warriors prediction for a win by the underdog over the defending champions, as the last win over the Yellow and Blue was over two years ago!
But NBA fans should keep in mind that the Western Conference whipping boy beat the Boston Celtics, currently the best team in the NBA, just last week.
This has already resulted in astronomical odds of around 7.00 on the betting markets, so why not trust the rebellious Texans with another win over the currently flagging Dubs?
In any case, I’m sticking with it: In my Rockets Warriors tip, I’m betting on Houston this time.
