Rockets open as slight favorites versus Warriors in 2024 NBA Cup quarterfinal

Posted by author December 10, 2024 NBA

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Even after 15 straight losses to Golden State (the longest active head-to-head streak among NBA teams), the Rockets open as slight favorites (-2.5) for Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal in Houston.

Despite 15 consecutive losses to the Warriors, which is the longest active streak to a single team in the entire NBA, the Houston Rockets will open as favorites versus Golden State for Wednesday night’s Emirates NBA Cup 2024 quarterfinal. The knockout round match also counts towards the league’s 2024-25 standings.

Per BetMGM, the Rockets — as of Monday night — were a -140 favorite by the money line and -2.5 on the spread. Golden State is +115 to win. The over-under line is 221.5.

That ongoing streak of 15 straight head-to-head losses, which dates back to the start of the 2020-21 NBA season, includes five losses in the last two years under the guidance of current head coach Ime Udoka. The Rockets are 0-2 against the Warriors this season, including a loss last week in which Golden State was without veteran stars Steph Curry and Draymond Green. Since then, both have returned.

But unlike last week’s game, this one carries additional NBA Cup stakes, and it’s also inside the friendly home confines of Toyota Center — where the Rockets (16-8) are 9-3 this season. Unfortunately, one of those three losses came versus Golden State (14-9) on Nov. 2.

Then again, perhaps the Alperen Sengun- and Jalen Green-led Rockets are due, and they should have a motivated crowd and the spotlight of a nationally televised game to spur them on.

Houston was without Fred VanVleet (right knee contusion) and Tari Eason (concussion protocol) in its last game on Sunday, while Golden State was without Andrew Wiggins (right ankle impingement) that same night. Injury reports won’t be released until Tuesday night, approximately 24 hours before tipoff.

Wednesday’s game tips at 8:30 p.m. Central, and it will be televised nationally on TNT (and also regionally. on Space City Home Network). The winner will advance to Las Vegas as one of four teams (two in each conference) participating in Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinals.