Rockets vs Warriors Prediction 4/20/25 NBA Picks Today

Golden State Warriors Betting Preview

The Golden State Warriors are coming into the playoffs as a real dark horse as they won 21 of their final 28 games of the regular season to finish with a 48-34 overall record. Stephen Curry started to heat up in the second half of the season to lead the team with averages of 24.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. Jimmy Butler III has only played 30 games for his new team but has fit in nicely with averages of 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Meanwhile, Draymond Green averaged 9.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.

As a team, the Warriors scored 113.8 points per game while shooting 45.1 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from the 3-point line. Since Butler joined the team, the Warriors were seventh in offense and first in defense in their final 31 games of the regular season. 

Houston Rockets Betting Preview

Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets capped off the regular season with 15 wins in their final 20 games to finish with an impressive 52-30 overall record, good enough for second seed in the Western Conference. Jalen Green led the team with averages of 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, Alperen Sengun averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game, Fred VanVleet averaged 14.1 points and 5.6 assists per game while Dillon Brooks averaged 14.0 points per game.

As a team, the Rockets scored 114.3 points per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from the 3-point line, but where the Rockets were really elite was actually on the defensive end where they ranked fourth.

Why the Houston Rockets will win

• The Rockets have won each of their last nine Western Conference First Round games at Toyota Center.
• The Warriors have lost each of their last four playoff games following a win.
• The Rockets have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games as favorites against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
• The Warriors have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight playoff games against Western Conference opponents following a win.

Why the Golden State Warriors will win

• The Warriors have won each of their last eight road games against Western Conference opponents.
• The Rockets have lost each of their last four playoff games against Pacific Division opponents.
• The road team has covered the spread in each of the Warriors’ last six games.
• The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five home games when playing with a rest advantage.

Houston Rockets Player Facts

• Alperen Sengun ranks 5th in the league for points in the paint (1012) this season.
• Amen Thompson ranks 2nd amongst qualified Guards for FG% (55.7%) this season.

Golden State Warriors Player Facts

• Stephen Curry ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FT% (93.3%) this season.
• Draymond Green is one of only three qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.0 threes, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks this season.

Rockets vs Warriors Prediction

The Warriors are coming into this series with a full squad, while the Rockets have ruled out Jae’Sean Tate and Jock Landale once again. These two teams met five times in the regular season, with the Warriors winning the series by 3-2, but every meeting was decided by 10 points or fewer, so we should be in for a tight series here.

The Warriors will be quietly confident given their veteran experience and the addition of Butler has looked like a great fit so far, but the Rockets hold the edge in terms of youth, athleticism, rebounding, depth and defense. You could make an argument for either side here, but the Rockets are deserved favorites at home, and I think they get the win and cover at the short line.