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Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets April 26th 2025
At 8:30 ET, the Rockets (+131) will take on the Warriors (-155) in a Western Conference matchup. Golden State (-3) is 48-34 and 7th in the West, while Houston (+3) is 52-30 and 2nd in the West.
This game will be played at the Chase Center in San Francisco and can be seen on ABC.
Rockets vs. Warriors Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors
- Where: San Francisco at Chase Center
- Date: Saturday, April 26th
- Betting Odds GS -3, HOU +131 | GS -155 O/U 203.5
The Rockets Can Win If…
With a 109-94 win over the Warriors on Wednesday, the Rockets improved to 52-30 for the season. Houston, favored by 4 points, covered the spread with the 15-point victory. The game’s total points of 203 narrowly missed the O/U line of 204.5.
A key moment for the Rockets was a 12-0 run that extended their lead from 30-20 to 42-20. They led 87-71 going into the 4th quarter, where the Warriors edged them 23-22.
Jalen Green’s 38-point performance, including 15 in the 3rd quarter, led the Rockets to a win over the Warriors. He hit 8 threes at 44.4%, finishing with a 52% field goal percentage. Alperen Şengün added 17 points, 11 of which came in the 2nd quarter, and grabbed 16 rebounds.
Houston made 15 threes, shooting 37.5% from deep and 45.3% overall. Dillon Brooks contributed 16 points, and Tari Eason added 14, with 7 in the opening quarter. Amen Thompson chipped in 11 points, scoring 6 in the 1st and 5 in the 4th.
The Rockets put together a strong defensive performance, holding the Warriors to 94 points on 41% shooting. Houston’s defense was particularly effective in the 1st quarter, where they allowed just 18 points. The Rockets gave up 28 points in the 2nd quarter but tightened up in the 4th, allowing only 23 points to secure the win.
Houston struggled to contain the Warriors from beyond the arc, where Golden State hit 17 threes at a 39% clip. The Rockets sent the Warriors to the line 18 times, where they made 11 free throws. Houston also recorded 9 steals and 4 blocks in the game.
- When looking at their past three road matchups, Houston has an ATS record of 1-2 while averaging 110 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
- Spanning across their last three games as the betting underdog, the Rockets have gone 0-3 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 0-3.
- Over their last three games, the Rockets have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.
The Warriors Can Win If…
The Warriors fell to 48-34 on the season after a 109-94 road loss to the Rockets on Wednesday. Golden State, who entered the game as +4 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 203, narrowly missing the O/U line of 204.5.
Houston’s 12-0 run early in the game put the Warriors in a deep hole, as they trailed 42-20. Golden State tried to chip away at the lead, but they entered the 4th quarter down 87-71 and couldn’t mount a comeback, despite winning the final quarter 23-22.
In their 109-94 loss to the Rockets, the Warriors shot just 41.2% from the field, but connected on 17 threes at a 39.5% rate. Stephen Curry led the way with 20 points and 9 assists, hitting 4 threes at 44.4%.
Moses Moody and Quinten Post each added 12 points, with Post also making 4 threes. Moody scored 7 of his points in the 1st quarter, while Post added 6 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters.
Defensively, the Warriors gave up 109 points to the Rockets, who shot 45% from the field. Golden State allowed 28 points in the 1st quarter and 32 in the 2nd, but tightened up in the 4th, giving up just 22 points.
From beyond the arc, the Rockets hit 15 threes at a 37% clip. The Warriors sent Houston to the line 20 times, where they made 16 free throws. Golden State finished with 7 steals and 6 blocked shots.
- When looking at their past three matchups at home, Golden State has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 97 per game. The team went 2-1 overall in these games.
- Across their last three matchups as the betting favorite, the Warriors have an overall record of 2-1 while going 1-2 against the spread.
- In their last three games, the Warriors have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 0-3 vs. the spread.
The Lean
In this Rockets vs. Warriors matchup, our point-spread bet is on the Rockets at +3. While we project the Warriors to win 133-132, our recommendation is to bet on the Rockets for the point-spread.
Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 203.5, and our model predicts the Rockets and Warriors to score a combined 265 points. We recommend betting on the over.
Stay Ahead of the Game
NBA Data & Insights
Warriors Hope Butler Can Return as Series vs Rockets Shifts to San Francisco
The Golden State Warriors return to the Bay Area with their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets tied 1-1—but all eyes are on Jimmy Butler.
Butler left early in Game 2 after suffering a deep glute muscle contusion and did not return, shifting the series’ momentum back toward Houston. Now, heading into Saturday’s crucial Game 3 at Chase Center, Butler is listed as a game-time decision.
For real-time injury updates and playoff lineup changes, check out the NBA Team Page.
Butler’s Status Looms Large for Warriors’ Game Plan
After initial tests showed no broken bones, there’s hope Butler could play through the injury. Stephen Curry, who suffered a similar contusion earlier this season, shared his experience:
“The last one I had was just a contusion and that is just a pain-tolerance thing,” Curry said. “You could play through that eventually.”
Before his injury, Butler had been brilliant in the playoffs, posting 25 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals in the Warriors’ Game 1 win.
Since acquiring Butler in February, the Warriors had gone 24-7 with him in the lineup, completely reshaping their season trajectory.
Track Butler’s game-time decision and team news on the NBA Expert Betting Guide.
Rockets Find Rhythm as Warriors Falter Without Butler
The Rockets seized on Butler’s absence in Game 2, drastically improving their three-point shooting. After hitting just 20.7% in Game 1, Houston drained 37.5% from deep in Game 2, largely fueled by Jalen Green, who went 8-for-18 from three.
Green credited his ability to settle into the playoff atmosphere:
“That first game, the lights were bright, the crowd was here, the court looked huge,” Green said. “I feel like I did a good job of answering back (in Game 2).”
Houston’s spacing and aggressive ball pressure forced Golden State into 43 three-point attempts—up from 32 in Game 1—and lowered the Warriors’ overall field-goal percentage from 47.4% to 41.3%.
Find Rockets’ betting trends and team previews at the NBA Pick Page.
How the Warriors Must Adjust for Game 3
Without Butler, the Warriors struggled to attack the paint, drawing fewer fouls and becoming overly reliant on perimeter jumpers.
Jonathan Kuminga stepped up with 11 points in 26 minutes, but the offense lacked Butler’s drive-and-kick action and late-clock shot creation.
Additionally, defensively, the Warriors lost their usual edge. Houston players were noticeably more comfortable, executing plays at will and knocking down open threes.
Golden State will need to either rally around their depth or hope Butler can gut it out and provide the two-way impact they so badly missed.
Explore odds for Warriors’ adjusted lineups and Game 3 prop bets at the NBA Scores and Odds Page.
Key Storylines Heading into Game 3 at Chase Center
- Jimmy Butler’s Availability: A game-time decision that could dramatically alter both teams’ strategies.
- Warriors’ Perimeter Efficiency: Can Golden State shoot more selectively and avoid settling for bad threes?
- Houston’s Confidence Surge: The Rockets, led by a red-hot Jalen Green, have found momentum.
- Jonathan Kuminga’s Role: Expect Kuminga to continue getting expanded minutes if Butler can’t go.
- Physical Defense: Both teams will aim to impose more pressure earlier in the shot clock.
Stay tuned to the full playoff breakdowns by division on the NBA Western Conference Blog.
FAQs About Warriors vs Rockets Game 3
Is Jimmy Butler playing in Game 3?
He’s officially listed as a game-time decision with a deep glute muscle contusion.
How did the Rockets win Game 2?
By shooting 37.5% from three-point range, led by Jalen Green’s 8-for-18 shooting from deep.
How have the Warriors looked without Butler?
Without Butler, the Warriors became overly reliant on three-pointers and struggled defensively.
What’s the current series score?
The series is tied 1-1 heading into Game 3 at Chase Center.
When and where is Game 3?
Saturday night at Chase Center in San Francisco, California.
Where can I find playoff picks and betting odds?
Find expert breakdowns and game predictions on the NBA Pick Page.
