Perhaps the most intrꦿiguing NBA playoff series is the final one of the opening weekend.
Steph Curry and the Warriors advanced through the play-in tournament and next face the No. 2 seed ♏Rockets, yet the Warriors are -175 s♑eries favorites.
I strongly disagree with th💙is assessment, as I believe Golden State is too limited offensively. Curry is obviously an all-time great and could single-handedly win th♋is series, but ultimately I think his supporting cast is too weak.
Draymond Green, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, Kevon Looney and even Jimmy🔯 Butler have way ꦛtoo many weaknesses. Curry will consume Houston’s focus, but a lack of surrounding firepower will enable the defense to do enough to contain the sharpshooter.
I like thꦍe Rockets to cover as 1-point home favorites Sunday in Game 1.&n𝓡bsp;
Houston has an elite defender in Amen Thompson, and the 6-foot-7 wing could make life dif🐻ficult for Curry. In their final regular-season meeting, Thompson helped hold Curry to three points on 1-for-10 shooting.
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The Rockets also have the physical Dillon Brooks as an option, and he will likely make things uncomfortableꦰ, given Curry is battling a thumb injury on his right shooting hand𝔉.
One concern is Houston’s own offensive limitations, given it ranks just 17th in efficiency. The Warriors are 16th, but Curr▨y’s presence changes everything. In my eyes, Houston should be OK. Ime Udoka is an elite coach and has had several days to scheme accordingly.
Plus, Fred VanVleet missed more than a month with an injury, but he has since returned and the entire lineup is health🉐y. I trust Udoka to push the right buttons to extract the proper offense without sacrificing his defensive ta💜ctics that will focus on Curry.
🌄I have a 37-26-1 ATS record in The Post sports section, and my next official play is Houston as a small home favorite.