1-0 after hitting with Houston in game 5. I bet Houston in game 5 because Houston is better team playing every other day - I did not bet Houston on the moneyline though because Houston has been horrible in close games and San Antonio has been at their best executing down the stretch.
The arguments.
First, let's dispell this myth that the reason Houston lost game 5 was because Mike D'Antonio played a 7 man rotation and Houston ran out of gas. San Antonio played the exact same 7 man rotation - the only 2 players who played other than San Antonio's first 7 where Lee and Andersen - they played a combined 16 minutes and scored 6 points. Both teams played 7 man rotations and both teams ran out of gas late - that's playoff basketball. Houston's offense has been garbage when the tempo slows all year in the fourth quarter - this was not some new phenomenon that came out of nowhere.
The key to game 6 will be if Houston can keep the tempo up in the 4th quarter by slowing the game and going deeper in the bench so Houston has fresh legs in the fourth to cover the 6.5 point spread. Houston was smart to play a 7 man rotation in game 5 in my opinion because San Antonio did the same thing and Houston is younger - obvously the betting considerations for game 5 were different as well since Houston bettors were getting 5.5 rather than laying 7.5
I think San Antonio knows this series will likely go 7 and will not risk injury or play their older starters such as Gasol and Ginobli extended minutes if Houston can build a double digit lead in the second half. I also think role players are more dependable at home so Houston will not have to rely on Harden as much and will be more comfortable going deeper in the bench. Houston couldn't trust young bench on the road, but at home I think the Dekker and Harrell can provide solid minutes.
1-0 after hitting with Houston in game 5. I bet Houston in game 5 because Houston is better team playing every other day - I did not bet Houston on the moneyline though because Houston has been horrible in close games and San Antonio has been at their best executing down the stretch.
The arguments.
First, let's dispell this myth that the reason Houston lost game 5 was because Mike D'Antonio played a 7 man rotation and Houston ran out of gas. San Antonio played the exact same 7 man rotation - the only 2 players who played other than San Antonio's first 7 where Lee and Andersen - they played a combined 16 minutes and scored 6 points. Both teams played 7 man rotations and both teams ran out of gas late - that's playoff basketball. Houston's offense has been garbage when the tempo slows all year in the fourth quarter - this was not some new phenomenon that came out of nowhere.
The key to game 6 will be if Houston can keep the tempo up in the 4th quarter by slowing the game and going deeper in the bench so Houston has fresh legs in the fourth to cover the 6.5 point spread. Houston was smart to play a 7 man rotation in game 5 in my opinion because San Antonio did the same thing and Houston is younger - obvously the betting considerations for game 5 were different as well since Houston bettors were getting 5.5 rather than laying 7.5
I think San Antonio knows this series will likely go 7 and will not risk injury or play their older starters such as Gasol and Ginobli extended minutes if Houston can build a double digit lead in the second half. I also think role players are more dependable at home so Houston will not have to rely on Harden as much and will be more comfortable going deeper in the bench. Houston couldn't trust young bench on the road, but at home I think the Dekker and Harrell can provide solid minutes.
If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so. It is your sole responsibility to understand your local laws and observe them strictly. Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality. Covers disclaims all liability associated with your use of this website and use of any information contained on it. As a condition of using this website, you agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from your use of any services on any third party website that may be featured by Covers.