If you want to do a little wagering in this series, I'd suggest over 213.5 and rockets -3 in 1st half.
Actually, the odds in favor of the Rockets are much higher than a coin flip. If we were perfectly evenly matched and the matches were independent (eg no injuries, effects from fatigue, etc...), we have a 12.5% chance of winning all 3 (1/2 * 1/2 * 1/2), or 8 to 1 odds: coin flip odds. I think I saw a statistic posted somewhere that historically, coming back from 3 to 1 is only 5%, so historically, it's actually worse than coin flip odds (maybe because the winning team is, indeed, better, or the losing team has lost some enthusiasm/playing vigor, etc...). Also, the 3 to 1 odds doesn't mean Vegas thinks we're going to win. It means the volume of Rockets favored betting is much higher than that for Portland. To keep their books neutral, bookies must compensate by lowering the payoffs for Rockets fans to keep the flood of Rockets-bettors at bay, and to induce more betting from the Portland side. Why are the bets so much in Rockets' favor? We can only speculate: Rockets have a larger fan market, someone knows something (refs or betting on ref biases), or some other factors.
If you bet on 5dimes, there's a prop bet for Rockets -0.5 points in the first 3 minutes at +105 odds. That's a steal because that line doesn't really make much sense. At every other point in the game (6 minutes, 9 minutes, 2nd Q, etc), Rockets are favors to be winning, so why not in the first 3 minutes too?
Does it have something to do with Houston statistically underperforming and Portland (namely LMA) statistically overperforming? Seems like bookies think the other shoe will drop tonight.
Not sure, but isn't there a pretty large possibility that the two teams would be tied in the first 3 minutes?
Possible, yes. Large, probably not. Plus, it's about playing the odds. It doesn't make sense that this bet is +105 where every other bet is -105 to -110 for the Rockets to be winning. Also, threes and FTs increase the chances of a game not to be tied in the beginning of a game due to those odd points. Both of which the Rockets and Blazers do a lot of. Win or lose, this is still a great bet imo.
3.6 to 1 odds would be equivalent to the fair odds resulting from a 70% chance of winning the home court games, each, and 50% chance of winning the away game. Not that weird, especially if you think the refs are going to be a little biased for the Rockets to either 1. correct for the bad refing from the earlier games. 2. or, extend the series as long as possible, which the NBA often does
It's crazy, but I just flipped through the game on my recording, but we played the best defense all series long tonight. Portland just punishes you with difficult jump shots. I am now 2-0 watching on espn game cast! 0-3 watching the game on TV. This Portland team got tight down the stretch tonight, and once again, Houston looked like the superior team. The Blazers are due for a bad shooting game. Praying it's game 6!
line was -4 last i checked shouldnt mean anything though....we were favored in game 1 and 2 and lost.
Portland -3.5 for Friday's game. I see a lot of action going towards Rockets so I won't be surprised if it gets to -3 by tonight.
The line is shrinking toward the Rockets favor. For the love of god Rockets, please make me a richer man. PUHHLLEEEASSSEEE!!!!
worst thing to happen...tells me the refs are gonna call a ton of BS on our players...especially Asik...
