The Golden State Warriors are set to take on the Houston Rockets in what promises to be an exciting rivalry matchup at Chase Center on Sunday. The Rockets, riding the high of a five-game winning streak, have been playing some of their most cohesive basketball of the season. In contrast, the Warriors are on a three-game losing streak after struggling through a good portion of the season. However, they got a timely boost.
Steph Curry, who had been out since Jan. 29 with a knee injury, is set to return after 27 games on the sidelines. How Curry and the Warriors respond in the remaining five games will be interesting to watch.
Golden State and Houston have played each other closely this season, with the series tied 1-1. The Rockets won the first matchup 104-100 on Nov. 26, while the Warriors claimed a 115-113 overtime victory on Mar. 5. Sunday will mark the 241st all-time meeting between the teams, with Houston holding a 129-111 lead.
Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors Odds
Moneyline: Rockets (-164) vs Warriors (+135)
Spread: Rockets -3.5 (-113) vs Warriors +3.5 (-16)
Total (O/U): Rockets o225.5 (-110) vs Warriors u225.5 (-110)
Editor’s note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.
Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors Preview
The Warriors are locked in at the 10th spot and will have to play the play-in games on the road to make it to the first round. The Dubs have had to fight through plenty of adversity without Steph Curry, which has taken a physical and mental toll on them. But the effort has still been there, as they care and want to make it to the postseason.
Golden State enters the matchup on the back of a 118-111 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Brandin Podziemski and Gui Santos led the team with 25 points each, while Draymond Green had a near triple-double outing.
The Rockets look fully back on track, riding a five-game winning streak. That surge has them two games ahead of Minnesota and 2.5 games behind the Denver Nuggets for the fourth spot in the tightly contested Western Conference.
In their recent outing, Houston dominated the Jazz 140-106, with six players scoring in double figures. Kevin Durant led the team with 25 points, and Amen Thompson added 21 points. Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason also contributed in the effort.
Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors Injury Reports
Houston Rockets Injury Report
Steven Adams (ankle) and Fred VanVleet (ACL) continue to remain out for the Rockets.
Golden State Warriors Injury Report
Steph Curry (knee), Seth Curry (thigh) and Gui Santos (pelvis) are questionable, while Al Horford (calf), Quinten Post (foot), Jimmy Butler (ACL) and Moses Moody (knee) are out.
Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors Starting Lineups
Rockets
PG: Amen Thompson | SG: Reed Sheppard | SF: Kevin Durant | PF: Jabari Smith Jr. | C: Alperen Sengun
Warriors
PG: Steph Curry | SG: De’Anthony Melton | SF: Gui Santos | PF: Draymond Green | C: Kristaps Porzingis
Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors Prediction
The return of Steph Curry should halt Golden State’s downturn, but a Rockets side that has rediscovered its steel has bettors backing them. Houston is favored by 3.5 points, but we can expect Curry and Co. to play spoiler, with the final score projected around 225.5 points.
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