The Houston Rockets will look to force a Game 7, as they go back to San Francisco for another do-or-die scenario against the Golden State Warriors. The Dubs are eager to finish off pesky Houston, but that is going to be easier said than done. Will the Rockets pull off a win and force the series to go hill hill? Or, will Golden State send the Rockets out of the playoff field?
Catch this game live on Friday, May 3, 2025 at 9:00 AM, Manila time
Away: Houston Rockets (2-3)
Projected Starting Five:
- Fred VanVleet
- Jalen Green
- Amen Thompson
- Dillon Brooks
- Alperen Sengun
The Rockets are still alive following a 131-116 takedown of Golden State last Wednesday. Fred VanVleet turned into 2019 NBA Finals VanVleet, as the former Wichita State Shockers guard went off for 26 points with eight 3-pointers. Meanwhile, Amen Thompson and Dillon Brooks provided 25 and 24 points, respectively.
It was a two-way brilliance for Houston, which held the Warriors to only 41.7 FG% and shot 55.1 FG% itself. That’s a good sign for the Rockets, knowing that they have their defense to fall back on to keep up with Golden State if their shots aren’t falling. Still, Houston needs its offense, and Alperen Sengun could be due for a bigger production than his 15-point output in Game 5, as he attempted only nine shots from the field – his fewest in the series, thus far.
The Rockets’ outside shooting has also held up nicely after shooting just 30.4 percent from deep in the first two games of the series. In the last three outings, Houston has made 43.2 percent of their attempts from behind the arc.
Home: Golden State Warriors (3-2)
Projected Starting Five:
- Stephen Curry
- Brandin Podziemski
- Jimmy Butler III
- Moses Moody
- Draymond Green
Due to the blowout nature of Game 5, Steve Kerr opted to throw in the towel early, letting the likes of Kevin Knox and Pat Spencer play major minutes down the stretch of regulation. Stephen Curry scored just 13 points on 4-for-12 shooting in that contest while Jimmy Butler was 2-for-10 for eight points. Golden State isn’t going anywhere if the Batman-Robin duo of Curry and Butler shoot like Gotham’s bad guys.
Perhaps going back to the friendlier confines of Chase Center can lead to the rejuvenation of the Warriors’ attack. Also, with no starter playing in more than 25 minutes in Game 5, Curry and the rest of Kerr’s key players should have fresh legs going into Game 6. So far in the series, Curry is averaging 23.4 points while Butler is putting up 15.8 points.
Meanwhile, keep an eye out for Moses Moody, who has some sneaky potential this Saturday after going off in garbage time and scoring 25 points overall in Game 5.
Picks
Spread: Houston Rockets (+5.5)
Over/Under: Over (205.0)
