Don Ryan / AP
Houston Rockets guard James Harden flashes three fingers after scoring a 3-point shot during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Ore., Friday, April 25, 2014. Harden scored 37 points as the Rockets won 121-116.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015 | 10:36 a.m.
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I’m picking myself right out of Play of the Day, which uses odds from the South Point and $10,000 starting bankrolls.
But another day brings another chance to right a slump.
Houston Rockets minus-7 vs. Los Angeles Clippers: $440 to win $400
The Clippers aren’t going to win many games where Austin Rivers is forced to start at point guard play close to 30 minutes. Depth has been the Clippers’ biggest issue all season, and it’s bound to bite them with Chris Paul expected to miss a second straight game to start the western conference semifinals.
They’re also playing their sixth game in 10 days, another factor that’s due to conspire against them. The quick turnaround from the memorable seven-game series with the Spurs was a storyline harped upon before game 1, but now one that’s been mostly ignored two days later.
That’s not how it works. Fatigue is more likely with more minutes and without Paul, the trio of Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Matt Barnes were all forced to play more than 40 minutes in game 1.
Griffin ravaged Houston with 26 points, 14 points and 13 rebounds but the Rockets are never stagnant on adjustments. They’ll progress on defense, and offense is no concern.
The team at full-strength on fresher legs is the play.
Standings: Bern (78-67-1, $11,862), Keefer (78-75-2, $10,637), Brewer (68-82-3, $2,075)
Case Keefer can be reached at 948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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