Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets Player Prop Picks 12/11/24

This matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets on December 11th, 2024, at the Toyota Center in Houston is poised to be an intriguing game with contrasting narratives for both teams.

The Warriors, led by their dynamic core of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, bring a wealth of experience and a focus on precision three-point shooting. While their veteran leadership remains their backbone, younger players like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody are stepping up to provide energy and versatility on both ends of the floor. Golden State will aim to control the tempo with their signature ball movement and perimeter defense.

On the other hand, the Rockets are a young and fast-paced team building a competitive identity. Players like Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün have been pivotal in their development, showcasing scoring ability and playmaking skills. With Fred VanVleet adding veteran savvy, Houston’s focus will likely be on exploiting transition opportunities and attacking the paint to counter Golden State’s strengths.

Steph Curry Under 4.5 Three Pointers

Stephen Curry is averaging 4.2 made three-pointers per game on 10.0 attempts, achieving a 41.7% success rate from deep. This reflects his consistent ability to shoot at a high level, maintaining his reputation as one of the league’s best three-point shooters. Curry’s long-range efficiency continues to be a significant factor in the Golden State Warriors offense, showcasing his elite scoring prowess from the perimeter.

In Steph Curry’s last nine games, we’ve seen him only have over 4 threes in two of those games. In my opinion, oddsmakers continue to set his line too high knowing that the casual bettor will continuously bet his over. This will be a tough matchup for Steph Curry going against this Rockets team that plays great perimeter defense.  the Rockets are only giving up 11.8 3-pointers per game to opposing teams which is the second fewest in the league. Even though Steph Curry is still one of the best 3-point shooters in the league this is a great spot to fade him. 

Jabari Smith Over 7.5 Rebounds

Jabari Smith Jr. has showcased steady rebounding during the 2024-25 NBA season, averaging 7.0 rebounds per game across approximately 30 minutes per contest. His efforts on the boards have included notable performances such as a 14-rebound game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he also tallied a double-double with 15 points. He has recorded multiple games with double-digit rebounds, contributing effectively as a forward for the Houston Rockets.

Smith’s rebounding is split between offensive and defensive contributions, with around 5.3 defensive rebounds and 1.8 offensive boards per game. Jabari Smith has cleared this line of 7.5 rebounds in six of his last 10 games. The Warriors do a lot of great things but rebounding hasn’t been one of them this season. They’re giving up 54.4 rebounds per game to opposing teams which is the sixth most in the whole league. This should be another great opportunity for Jabari Smith to clean up on the glass. 

Buddy Hield Under 11.5 Points

Buddy Hield has showcased efficient scoring for the Golden State Warriors during the 2024-25 NBA season. He is averaging approximately 14.5 points per game while shooting 45.3% from the field and an impressive 43.1% from beyond the arc on 7.6 three-point attempts per game. Hield is also maintaining a 92.3% free-throw percentage.

Buddy Hield has had some bright spots this season but the issue has been consistency. He has scored over 11 points in only three of his last 10 games. For Buddy Hield it’s boom or bust.  Either he has a great game or he comes out flat. In a matchup where he’s going against one of the best defenses in the league, I don’t expect him to have a big night scoring in the ball.