The Golden State Warriors stole a road win in this series back in Game 1, but the Houston Rockets had a loud response in Game 2. With the series tied at 1-1, will the Rockets take the driver’s seat with another victory? Or, will the Warriors feed off their home crowd and reclaim the series lead?

Catch this game live on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 8:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Houston Rockets (1-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Fred VanVleet
  • Jalen Green
  • Amen Thompson
  • Dillon Brooks
  • Alperen Sengun

The Rockets made sure that there would be at least one more game in Houston after demolishing the Warriors in Game 2 last Thursday, 109-94. Jalen Green had a night to remember, scoring 38 points on 13-for-25 shooting while Alperen Sengun put up 17 points with 17 boards. Confidence is up for the Rockets, and that could be a huge factor in Game 3, with the series shifting over to San Francisco. 

And after getting burned in Game 1 by Stephen Curry, the Rockets appeared to have gotten their defensive bearing back in terms of containing the two-time NBA MVP, as he shot 6-for-15 for 20 points while committing a total of six turnovers. Golden State was also held to just 41.3 FG% and was forced to commit 15 turnovers.

The Rockets enter Game 3 having covered the spread in two of their last three visits to Golden State’s home. The Over has also hit in two of Houston’s last two road games.

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Home: Golden State Warriors (1-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Stephen Curry
  • Brandin Podziemski
  • Jimmy Butler III (Questionable)
  • Moses Moody
  • Draymond Green

One big question for the Warriors heading into Game 3 is the status of Jimmy Butler, who played in only eight minutes in Game 2, as he exited early with a pelvis injury. He is considered questionable at the moment, with head coach Steve Kerr saying he’s “relatively optimistic” that the six-time NBA All-Star will play this Sunday. 

Golden State is also hoping that Brandin  Podziemski will be better in Game 3 after braving an illness in Game 2, where he laid an egg on a 0-for-5 shooting performance. Offensive support for Curry is paramount for the Warriors, and that would be harder to come by if Butler sits out. Buddy Hield, Moses Moody, and perhaps even Jonathan Kuminga, whose role in the series has been a notable talking point, could see heavier chores in Game 3.

The Warriors are 5-5 against the spread in their last 10 postseason home games.

Picks

Spread: Golden State Warriors (-3.0)

Over/Under: Under (204.0)

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