Led by Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, the Golden State Warriors powered past the Houston Rockets in an ugly slugfest in Game 1. Houston will look for a win tonight before the series shifts to San Francisco in Game 3.
Curry came out hot in Game 1, and my Warriors vs. Rockets props expect more of the same tonight. Despite Houston’s poor shooting, the team got solid production from Steven Adams as a rebounder and Amen Thompson as both a rebounder and facilitator. Both should be highly motivated in an urgent Game 2.
Let’s take a look at three player prop bets I’m targeting in my NBA picks for Wednesday, April 23.
Best Warriors vs Rockets props
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Steven Adams 7+ rebounds (-145 at bet365) -
Stephen Curry Over 25.5 points (-125 at bet365) - Amen Thompson Over 12.5 assists + rebounds (+105 at bet365)
Warriors vs Rockets player props for April 23
Steven Adams 7+ rebounds (-145 at bet365)
Steven Adams has been a highly efficient rebounder throughout his career, and he’s been one of the best in the league on the offensive glass for years. This season, Adams’ minutes have fallen to 13.9 per game, but he’s averaged 5.7 total rebounds and 2.8 offensive rebounds in that short time on the court for the Houston Rockets.
Adams is averaging 14.8 rebounds and a career-high 7.5 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes, and he’s excelled when given additional playing time. Adams has pulled down at least seven rebounds in 23 of 57 games overall, but he’s reached that mark in 19 of 27 games played with at least 15 minutes.
Adams grabbed 12 rebounds in 19 minutes in Game 1, including five on the offensive glass, and he corralled eight against the Golden State Warriors in his final regular season matchup. The Warriors allowed the third-most rebounds to opposing centers this season at a healthy 16.4, and Adams is in a great position to crash the glass tonight in this favorable matchup.
He has played at least 15 minutes in nine of his last 10 games, pulling down seven or more rebounds seven times. Expect the Rockets to exploit their size advantage and play Adams solid rotational minutes. He’ll likely share the court with starting center Alperen Sengun at times, as he did in Game 1.
Stephen Curry Over 25.5 points (-125 at bet365)
Stephen Curry started the season slowly on offense but came alive after the All-Star break, averaging 27.5 points per game across his last 25 outings. In that span, he scored at least 26 points 14 times. He’s been even hotter across his last 12, dropping 28 per game and hitting the Over in seven tilts.
Curry has scored at least 30 points in three straight games, including a game-high 31 in the Game 1 victory over Houston. Curry averaged nearly three points more per game on the road than at home this season, and he’s in a favorable matchup with a Rockets team that allowed the most points per game to PGs this season at 25.8.
I expect the Chef to keep cooking tonight as he extends his hot streak and attempts to lead the Warriors to a 2-0 series lead before heading back home to Chase Center.
Amen Thompson Over 12.5 assists + rebounds (+105 at bet365)
Amen Thompson is one of the most versatile players in the league thanks to his length, speed, and athleticism. He consistently finds a way to impact the game on both ends of the court, and he’s excelled as a rebounder and facilitator.
The second-year man has averaged 9.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists across 43 starts. As a starter, he’s finished with at least 13 assists + rebounds 27 times and posted exactly 12 in five more. Thompson has been slightly better at home as a starter, going for 14.5 assists + rebounds at Toyota Center compared to 13.7 across all other venues.
Thompson has averaged 12.2 assists + rebounds in six matchups with Golden State, hitting the Over in three of his last four. He averaged 13.3 in four home matchups with the Dubs, hitting the Over three times, and he reached that mark in two of three as a starter against the Warriors. Thompson should be in the starting lineup and play big minutes against Golden State in Game 2, and I’m betting on another strong performance.
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