Vegas Play of the Day: Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors

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Jeff Chiu / AP

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots between Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney (5) and forward Alfonzo McKinnie (28) during the first half of Game 1 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff series in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, April 28, 2019.

Wed, May 8, 2019 (11:44 a.m.)

The fifth season of the annual Play of the Day betting competition between the Sun's sports staff is now underway, effective July 1.

Bankrolls start at $10,000 for each of the four participants, with the objective to increase it as much as possible over the next year. The minimum daily wager is $300, with a $200 penalty assessed for failing to place a bet on an assigned day.

Past winners are Case Keefer in 2017-2018, Ray Brewer in 2016-2017 and 2015-2016, and Taylor Bern in 2014-2015.

Houston Rockets plus-6 at Golden State Warriors: $440 to win $400

Game 5 in an NBA Playoff series is typically a spot where the adjustments and counter-adjustments have evened out, and it’s wise to back the better team. The strategy worked Tuesday night, with both Toronto and Denver notching blowout wins, and is leading many to the Golden State side tonight.

But are we sure Golden State is the better team?

I’m not.

Sure, the Warriors have the better overall players. But they don’t have the better depth. And they aren’t playing as well together as the Rockets.

Houston has taken flight over the second half of the season and has arguably been the best team in the NBA. This has been a dead-even series, with only a one point difference through four games.

The perception is that Houston is a rung below Golden State because of the latter’s championship pedigree and higher star power, but reality is a different story. Golden State minus-4 would be a fairer line.

This feels like Houston’s series, and tonight just might be the night where it takes control.

Current Standings: Brewer (23-21-2, $8,900), Keefer (32-35-2, $8,016), Emerson (8-9, $4,992), Grimala (21-23-1, $2,925)

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.

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