Golden State’s Steph Curry and Draymond Green have won four championship in the previous 10 seasons with head coach Steve Kerr at the helm.
Houston hasn’t appeared in the playoffs since 2020 when it reached the conference semifinals with a different, much younger roster than the one it has now.
It is a clear case of the upstarts trying to make sure the old guard goes away. While the Rockets have some playoff experience with Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams, Jeff Green, key players all 23 and younger (Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Cam Whitmore) have never played in a playoff game.
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Even though they are the higher seed, the up-and-comers have a lot to prove.
Here’s everything you need to know about the first-round series between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors:
No. 2 Houston Rockets vs. No. 7 Golden State Warriors preview
How Rockets will win: The Rockets plan to use their physical and sizable defenders to slow the Warriors’ offense, and find ways for Jalen Green and Sengun to get buckets down the stretch of close games. Ime Udoka’s coaching experience needs to shine against the Warriors.
How Warriors will win: It starts with Curry, Green and Jimmy Butler running the show offensively (with lots of player and ball movement) and defensively and using their experience to outexecute the Rockets.
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors key stats
- Rockets key stats: The Rockets led the league in second-chance points (18.1 per game) and were No. 1 in offensive rebounding (14.6 per game).
- Warriors key stats: The Warriors were 23-8 after acquiring Butler from Miami and had the No. 1 defense, No. 8 offense and No. 3 net rating during that stretch to end the season.
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors players to watch
- Alperen Sengun, Rockets: The Rockets’ 6-11, 22-year-old center from Turkey averaged 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists and shot 49.6% from the field and made the All-Star team for the first time this season.
- Jimmy Butler, Warriors: In an effort to win another title with Curry still playing at an All-NBA level, Golden State acquired Butler at the trade deadline. Is Butler the answer?
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors predictions
- Lorenzo Reyes: Rockets in five
- Heather Tucker: Rockets in six
- James Williams: Rockets in seven
- Jeff Zillgitt: Warriors in seven
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors schedule
- Game 1: Warriors at Rockets | Sunday, April 20, 9:30 p.m. | TNT
- Game 2: Warriors at Rockets | Wednesday, April 23, 9:30 p.m. | TNT
- Game 3: Rockets at Warriors | Saturday, April 26, 9:30 p.m. | ABC
- Game 4: Rockets at Warriors | Monday, April 28, 9:30 p.m. | TNT
- Game 5: Warriors at Rockets | TBD*
- Game 6: Rockets at Warriors | TBD*
- Game 7: Warriors at Rockets | TBD*
All times Eastern; *if necessary
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors season series
The Warriors won the season series 3-2.
- Nov. 2: Warriors 127, Rockets 121 (OT)
- Dec. 5: Warriors 99, Rockets 93
- Dec. 11: Rockets 91, Warriors 90
- Feb. 13: Warriors 105, Rockets 98
- April 6: Rockets 106, Warriors 96
