Warriors vs Rockets Free Pick, NBA Free Picks, NBA Predictions 4/23/25

GOLDEN STATE @ HOUSTON (HOU -3.5, 203.5)

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Warriors vs Rockets Free Pick, NBA Free Picks, NBA Predictions 4/23/25

WARRIORS @ ROCKETS 4/23/25

The host Houston Rockets will need to increase their offensive output on Wednesday in order to avoid dropping into a 2-0 hole against the Golden State Warriors. In Game 1, the Warriors only had six offensive rebounds against the No. 2-seeded Rockets' 22; however, Houston's second-chance point advantage was only 22-12. The Rockets' 34-of-87 (39.1 percent) shooting performance from the field was a reflection of their inability to convert their rebounding advantage into a larger scoring differential on follow-up opportunities.

Golden State, the No. 7 seed, shot 12-for-32 from three-point range and 36-of-76 (47.4 percent) from the field overall. Houston shot 6-of-29 from behind the arc. Five of the Warriors' 12 three-pointers, including a 34-footer with 5:11 left in regulation when the Rockets were down just four points, came from Stephen Curry. Curry finished with a game-high 31 points.

Houston fought back to give itself a chance in the closing minutes after falling behind by as many as 23 points. Jabari Smith Jr., who scored 11 points on 3-of-3 shooting and pulled down six rebounds after coming off the bench, described the Rockets' late-game surge as "encouraging" as they prepare for Game 2.

After losing Game 1 and giving up home-court advantage, Houston needs to win Wednesday to avoid falling behind two games going into San Francisco.

Golden State has eliminated the Rockets from the postseason in four of their last six appearances. The Warriors defeated the Rockets in the first round of the 2016 Western Conference playoffs, the Western Conference semifinals in 2019, and the Western Conference Finals in 2015 and 2018.

Since its most recent playoff series against Golden State, Houston has had a completely different core: big man Alperen Sengün, who scored 19.1 points and pulled down 10.3 rebounds per game, and scorer Jalen Green, who scored 21 points per game. Both players made their debuts in the 2021–22 season.

Curry played a key role in Golden State's previous playoff victories over the Rockets, but Jimmy Butler, the team's new running mate, is now helping the Warriors contend for their fifth NBA title since 2015.

Butler has been outstanding lately since being acquired from Miami in a trade in February. He scored 28, 24, and 30 points in his final games of the regular season. In the play-in round on April 15, Golden State defeated Memphis 121-116, and he recorded 38 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals. Butler had 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and five steals in Game 1.

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COACH RICK FREE PICK:

ALPEREN SENGUN OVER 20.5 POINTS

Don’t let Sengun’s numbers for the season fool you. This one is all about the matchup. Sengun has a clear matchup advantage every single time he steps onto the court. The Warriors are starting Draymond Green at center and only played Kevon Looney for nine minutes in Game 1. The result was Sengun shooting 11-of-18 and scoring 26 points. He also had 26 against the Warriors when the two teams played back in December. Golden State may be happy to let Sengun chip away with his two-pointers while the Warriors jack threes as they did in Game 1.