Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors Prediction 4/26/25 NBA Picks

Golden State Warriors Betting Preview 

The Golden State Warriors look to protect home court and take a 2-1 series lead. The Warriors haven’t lost back-to-back games since March 22-25. 

The Golden State Warriors are averaging 94.5 points on 44.2 percent shooting and allowing 97 points on 42.2 percent shooting. Stephen Curry averages 25.5 points and 6 assists, while Jimmy Butler averages 14 points and 3 assists. Jonathan Kuminga is the third double-digit scorer, and Pat Spencer is grabbing 1 rebound. The Golden State Warriors are shooting 38.7 percent from beyond the arc and 68.8 percent from the free-throw line. The Golden State Warriors are allowing 30.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.5 rebounds per game.

Why the Golden State Warriors will win

• The Warriors have won each of their 13 previous Western Conference First Round home games against Southwest Division opponents.
• The Rockets have lost 10 of their last 11 Western Conference First Round road games against Pacific Division opponents.
• The Warriors have covered the spread in each of their last seven playoff games at Chase Center following a loss.
• The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four playoff games as underdogs.

Why the Houston Rockets will win

• The Rockets have won each of their last nine games following a home win.
• The Warriors have lost three of their last four games as home favorites against Western Conference opponents.
• The road team has covered the spread in seven of the Warriors' last eight games.
• The Warriors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games at Chase Center.

Golden State Warriors Player Facts

• Brandin Podziemski ranks 20th amongst qualified Guards for rebounds per game (5.1) this season.

Houston Rockets Player Facts

• Amen Thompson ranks 2nd amongst qualified Guards for FG% (55.7%) this season.
• Fred VanVleet ranks 8th amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.6) this season.

Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors Injury Report 

Gary Payton II is questionable for the Warriors with a shoulder strain, while Jimmy Butler is questionable with a deep gluteal muscle contusion. The Warriors completely fell apart when Butler left game 2 after falling on his back.  

The Rockets will be without Jae'Sean Tate and Jock Landale.

Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors Prediction

There’s a lot of question marks in this series entering game 3. Obviously the big ones are the status of Butler and Payton, so it’s going to be key to watch the injury report before betting. Also, I’m wondering which Green shows up for the Rockets. When Green is engaged and aggressive offensively, the Rockets are a different team. At the time of this writing, I’m leaning Rockets because I don’t know if Butler is going to play. The Warriors have a depth issue and not having Butler leaves a huge void. Also, the Rockets are a scrappy bunch that thrives off confidence and winning game 2 the way they did should create a team that believes. Give me the bucket.