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Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets: NBA Playoffs Game 2 live scores

19th April, 2016
Tip-off: 12:30pm (AEST)
Venue: Oracle Arena
TV: None in Australia
Online: NBA League Pass
Betting: Warriors $1.07, Rockets $9.50
Game 1: Warriors 104 defeat Rockets 78
Andrew Bogut during his time with the Warriors. He's heading back. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Expert
19th April, 2016
0

Stephen Curry is unlikely to play in Game 2 of the first round NBA playoffs series against the Houston Rockets, but the Golden State Warriors are still favourites to win at home. Join The Roar for live scores from 12:30pm (AEST).

The Rockets were beaten hands down in the first match, suffering a 26-point defeat in circumstances that were less than ideal, as their shooters failed to fire and their defence had no hope against a Warriors attack that made them the best team in the NBA.

The result, while expected, isn’t the biggest talking point to come out of Game 1 in this first versus eighth series out west.

Reigning MVP Steph Curry, who has been the glue that held the Rockets together all season, had issues with his troublesome ankle.

This is the same ankle he has had operated on before and missed a large chunk of matches. For Game 2, it is likely he will not take to the floor, as coach Steve Kerr tries to manage the fitness of his biggest star.

It may not be the worst thing for the Warriors, with Curry dangerously short on rest coming into the playoffs, as the Warriors successfully chased the best-ever season record, winning their final four regular games.

At the same time – and while this probably won’t be found out playing the Rockets, who have struggled to gain any consistency on either end of the court – it is a worry whether the Warriors have enough offence without Curry.

That first game though was an absolute drubbing, mainly thanks to Curry during the first half. He played minimal game time in the second, and as a result the Rockets actually won the second-half battle by a point. James Harden got worryingly little support for Houston though, and Klay Thompson kept things ticking, ending up with 16.

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For things to improve for Houston, they must get on the front foot early and lead out of the first quarter. They need to keep the game on the perimeter when they are in attack, with the likes of Harden and Trevor Ariza, while pushing it inside when defending and hope Dwight Howard can do a job on Andrew Bogut and Draymond Green.

Prediction
Despite Curry being unlikely to play, there are plenty of other Golden State players who can carry the load. The only question is whether they can control Harden.

Warriors by 15.

Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this match from 12:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below as the action unfolds.

Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde

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