The No. 7 seed Golden State Warriors are set to face off against the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets in Game 1 of their first-round series during the 2025 NBA playoffs. This highly anticipated matchup will take place on Sunday at the Toyota Center in Houston, with tipoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET.
This year marks the Rockets' return to the NBA playoff bracket for the first time since the 2020 season, while the Warriors secured their playoff spot after a hard-fought 121-116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Play-In Tournament. The last time these two teams met, the Rockets triumphed over the Warriors with a score of 106-96 on April 6, setting the stage for an exciting rematch.
Before finalizing any bets on the Rockets vs. Warriors matchup, it’s essential to review the NBA predictions and betting advice provided by the SportsLine Projection Model. This highly regarded model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, boasting an impressive record of generating over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated picks over the past six seasons. Currently, the model is on a hot streak, with a 156-115 record on all top-rated NBA picks, delivering nearly $4,000 in returns.
For the Rockets, guard Jalen Green stands out as a dynamic shot creator, averaging 21 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game this season. Green has scored over 20 points in three of his last six games, including a notable performance against the Warriors where he registered 21 points, five assists, and two steals.
Additionally, center Alperen Sengun has been a significant force in the frontcourt, averaging 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. Sengun achieved a career-high with 45 double-doubles this season and contributed 19 points and 14 rebounds in his last outing against Golden State.
On the other side, the Warriors rely heavily on guard Stephen Curry, whose sharpshooting skills make him a constant threat. Curry averages 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game, shooting 39.7% from beyond the arc. In the recent play-in game, he exploded for 37 points and showcased his ability to perform under pressure.
Joining Curry is forward Jimmy Butler, who has added a two-way threat to the Warriors' lineup since joining at the trade deadline. Butler is averaging 17.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game, including impressive performances where he scored 28-plus points in four consecutive games.
The SportsLine model has also simulated the Warriors vs. Rockets matchup 10,000 times, projecting a total of 217 combined points. Additionally, it indicates that one side of the spread is favored in over 50% of simulations. For the most accurate NBA picks and betting strategies, be sure to visit SportsLine before placing your bets.
With the excitement of the playoffs upon us, the Warriors and Rockets are ready to battle for playoff supremacy. Don't miss this thrilling Game 1 as both teams look to make a statement early in the series!
