NBA Playoff Schedule 2015: Predictions, TV and Live Stream Coverage for Saturday
After two heartbreaking losses to the Golden State Warriors, the Houston Rockets must defend their home court Saturday night.
Falling down 0-3 to the Dubs in the Western Conference Finals would be a death sentence.
However, we’ve seen the Rockets stage inconceivable comebacks before, so let’s avoid paying our respects…for now.
Golden State is playing with house money in Game 3, but it’s an absolute must-win for Houston. And like the first two contests of this series, you won't want to miss it.
A live stream link and key predictions are included below.
How to Watch
| Warriors at Rockets | 9 p.m. | ESPN | 2-0 GSW |
The live stream for Saturday’s matchup can be viewed via WatchESPN.
Predictions
James Harden Will Explode
Is this really a prediction or simply a known fact at this point?
James Harden has played like an MVP thus far in the conference finals, averaging 33 points on 58.5 percent shooting, 10.5 rebounds, nine assists and 3.5 steals through the first two games.
And yet, his team is still down 0-2.
Many fans and analysts expected Golden State to blow the Rockets out, and that hasn’t been the case. But the Warriors are still firmly in the driver’s seat. Just because the scores are close doesn’t mean a sweep is impossible. Just ask the New Orleans Pelicans.
Harden needs to continue to play like the true MVP that he was during the regular season, and it’s a sure bet that he’ll be cooking in Game 3.
If the contest comes down to a final possession, though, Harden needs to be more assertive than he was in Game 2.
Pablo Prigioni Will Get More Minutes
For those unfamiliar with Pablo Prigioni, know this: He’s arguably the greatest inbound-thief of all time.
It’s a skill that goes rather unnoticed by some, but the Argentinian point guard has averaged 2.4 steals per 36 minutes this season, which he began with the New York Knicks.
Prigioni was a Knick for two-and-a-half years before Phil Jackson dealt him at this past trade deadline for Alexey Shved and two future second-round picks. He's done in Houston what he did in New York—pickpocket opposing guards and provide big-time energy.
The 38-year-old has been an enormous pickup for the Rocket with starting point guard Patrick Beverley out for the year.
Curry will get his points regardless of who covers him. The MVP has simply dominated Jason Terry through the first two games, so head coach Kevin McHale would be wise to bump up Prigioni’s minutes.
The sneaky 180-pounder saw just seven minutes in Game 2, but he was given 15 minutes in Game 1. He’s built like a marathon runner, so McHale could comfortably play him closer to 20-25 minutes in Game 3 as nothing more than a pest to Curry.
When Houston closed out the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 7 of the conference semifinals, Prigioni played over 20 minutes and tallied four points, four assists, three steals and zero turnovers while playing staunch defense.
It’s time for McHale to land The Jet and give The Thief a chance.
Houston Will Win
The Rockets are on the ropes—and they know it.
After turning the ball over as time expired in Game 2, Harden could be seen whacking (and knocking over) a curtain on his way to the locker room. That loss could easily have been the team’s biggest win in decades.
“Kicking chairs, it’s frustrating,” Harden said in reference to his postgame reaction, per Jimmy Spencer of SportingNews.com. “Frustrating to give the game away like that for myself.”
Harden's teammates still believe in him though, and so does The Beard himself. Jenny Dial Creech of the Houston Chronicle has quotes:
Every time the Rockets needed a win against the Clippers, they got it.
Don’t count on them to win this series against Golden State, but don’t expect them to go quietly into the night.
All stats are courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.
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