Article courtesy of SBGGlobal.com

NBA Playoffs – Western Conference Game #2
Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets (Houston leads 1-0)
9:35 pm Eastern
TNT
SBG Global Opening Line: Rockets -5.5, Total 185.5

The Houston Rockets will look to Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady to carry them again tonight as they look to win both home games against the Utah Jazz in their best of seven series. Early betting at SBG Global has the public counting on Houston to play big tonight as the Rockets minus the points and the total going Over seems to be the play.

Yao and McGrady did most of the work in Houston's 84-75 win over the Jazz in Game one.  The Rockets haven't won a playoff series win since 1997, and the Jazz haven't won one since 2000. The Rockets' only double-digit scoring Saturday came from Yao who had 28 points and McGrady who had 23 points.  The key for Utah will be shutting those two down and making other players beat them.  The problem for Utah is that Rafer Alston, Shane Battier, and Luther Head all averaged more than 10 points a game during the regular season. “These guys are not bad players around these two,” Utah guard Derek Fisher said. “That's why they've had the success they've had this season. So it's important that we focus a lot of our attention toward the two best players, but we can't just leave guys open for wide-open shots and expect to win.”

The Houston Rockets are a 5.5 point favorite with a total of 184.5 SBG Global.

“They are going to make a conscious effort to stay on Yao and Tracy and make guys like myself and Luther and Shane beat them,” Alston said. 'They were leaving me a lot. I was left alone. I'm capable of knocking down five or six in a game,” he said. 'They're going to take their chance with me shooting the ball from beyond the arc.” McGrady was the big factor for the Rockets in the 2nd half when he had 16 points in the third quarter.

Utah coach Jerry Sloan knows that the Jazz must be ready tonight, but not overly hyped up. “Some of those guys were ready to play at noon,” he said. “I told them and tried to explain to them, but they've got to learn on their own. The game doesn't start until 8:30 and that's the only time you want to get yourself pumped up to play.”

The Jazz are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog. The Jazz are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 playoff games as an underdog.  The Jazz are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games. The Jazz are 4-17 ATS in their last 21 games overall. The Jazz are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 road games.

The Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite. The Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 vs. the Northwest. The Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as a home favorite. The home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings between the two teams.

The Over is 7-2 in Utah’s last 9 overall. The Under is 10-3 in Utah’s last 13 Conference Quarterfinals games. The Under is 9-3 in Utah’s last 12 playoff games as an underdog. The Under is 5-1 in the Rockets last 6 vs. the Northwest. The Under is 4-1 in the Rockets last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games.

All initial deposits with SBG Global receive up to a 25% Bonus, 20% Reload Bonus for the entire first round of the NBA Playoffs*, 5% Horse Betting Rebate, 10% Casino Rebate and much more! Click here to visit SBG Global.

*Bonuses have restrictions, please contact customer service.