LOOKING AHEAD
According to 2019 NBA title odds, Rockets should be in the mix again
SportsMap staff
Jun 7, 2018, 5:00 am
Steph Curry and the Warriors are already favorites to win the 2019 title, but the Rockets are right there again. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
The NBA Finals are not over, but with the Warriors in complete command with a 3-0 lead, it is time to look ahead to next season. The Rockets came oh so close to playing for the title, but Chris Paul’s injury and the 0-for-27 3-point shooting streak in Game 7 ended their chances.
While changes will be coming this off-season, the presumption is Paul will return to the Rockets, once again making them contenders.
At least that is what the early 2019 title odds say.
According to sportsbettingdime.com, the Rockets are expected to be the second choice to win the Western Conference at around roughly 3-1, behind the favored Warriors.
The odds also seem to imply that Lebron James will not be returning to the Cavs. Obviously, where James winds up is part of the speculation and is factored in the odds.
The Warriors are about to close out their third title in four years, and will be favored to make it four out of five. But once again, the Rockets are expected to be part of the mix. It is early, and what happens in the off-season could sway things significantly. But early returns put the Rockets right there.
Again.
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Clutch hitting continues to be an issue for Astros, fall to Braves 6-2
Apr 17, 2024, 10:10 am
When the Astros signed Josh Hader to anchor the back of the bullpen with Ryan Pressly and Bryan Abreu, we thought the club might have the best 'pen in MLB.
But at this early stage in the season, nobody is confusing these guys with Octavio Dotel, Brad Lidge, and Billy Wager.
Heading into the ninth inning on Monday night, the Astros handed the ball to Hader trailing the Braves 2-1. Instead of keeping the game close and giving the Astros' offense one more chance, the Braves teed off on the closer putting the game out of reach and ultimately winning 6-1.
Hader has one save on the season with an ERA over nine. Which has us wondering, do the Astros have a Hader problem?
Don't miss the video above as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zierlein weigh in!