For the first time in the Warriors vs. Rockets series, both teams scored over 100 points in Monday night’s Game 4. What wasn’t a first was the outcome - Golden State came away with the 3-1 series lead. As the series shifts back to Houston for a pivotal Game 5, we’ve got our Warriors vs. Rockets predictions for you.

To help fans make the most of the best bet from our Warriors vs. Rockets picks - especially those of these teams in California & Houston without legal sports betting, we’ve also got a guaranteed PrizePicks Fantasy welcome bonus for you!

 

 

Warriors vs. Rockets Predictions For Tonight NBA Playoffs Game 5, 4/30

Of course, the biggest storyline heading into Monday’s Game 5 wasn’t whether or not we’d see both teams eclipse the century mark - it was the status of Jimmy Butler. Due to a pelvic contusion in Game 3, the postseason superstar missed Game 4, which the Warriors won anyway.

He made his return for Game 5, and there is plenty that we’ve broken down regarding Jimmy Butler’s performance coming up, but the bottom line is that he carried things to close out the victory. What many fans may not have realized is the fact that Stephen Curry’s 17 points were his fewest in a playoff game since 2022.

We highlight all this to say that Houston has a problem. Under Steve Kerr, Golden State is 11-0 when leading a series 3-1, eight of which were won in just five games. So, when it comes to the best bet from our Warriors vs. Rockets predictions, we’re going to be going back to the well with a player prop market.

 

 

Golden State Warriors: Jimmy Butler Blasts Off Late

The Rockets may be the team named after something that blasts off, but it was Jimmy Butler that took off in Game 5. There was malfunction early, as Draymond Green said that Butler couldn’t even move the first three quarters, but he was clutch down the stretch. Of his 27 points, 23 came in the second half.

To expand on that a bit further, 14 came in the fourth quarter, and most importantly, he scored the final seven points of the game for Golden State. Given that they outscored Houston 12-5 to close out the game, those were crucial. Alongside Brandon Podziemski (not Stephen Curry), they were the first Warriors teammates since 2018 to go 25-5-5 in a playoff game.

 

 

Houston Rockets: Alperen Sengun Stars AND Struggles

Until the Rockets took off this season well ahead of schedule, most fans would read the above headline and say, “who?” However, the Houston big man has been making a name for himself, and that has been solidified in this series. It’s him that is leading the team in points (22.2) and rebounds (11.5) per game in the postseason.

That’s without even mentioning 1.8 steals per game. All that said, he also had his fair share of struggles on Monday night. Despite leading the team with an incredible 31 points, 25 of them came when NOT guarded by Draymond Green. When he WAS guarded by Green, he went just 3-of-12 from the field.

 

 

Warriors vs. Rockets Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

Despite being down 3-1 in the series, with them back at home, the Warriors vs. Rockets odds are clearing favoring Houston:

 

 

Warriors vs. Rockets Best Bet: Jalen Green Over 18.5 Points (Use His Player Card At PrizePicks Fantasy)

While oddsmakers have Houston winning this game, we’d prefer to avoid sweating that out and instead focus on a player prop for the best bet from our Warriors vs. Rockets predictions. To be specific, the same exact one that we targeted in Game 2.

That was also in Houston; that was also the game in this series that the Rockets won. In other words, it’s what they need to happen to keep their season alive. It was Fred VanVleet who took over in Game 4 on Monday night, but it obviously wasn’t enough. Who they need to come alive again is Jalen Green.

Outside of Game 2 when he skyrocketed over 18.5 points with 38 for us, he’s been virtually non-existent in this series. Given that he led the Rockets in scoring throughout the season (21 points per game) to help them earn the #2 seed, that’s clearly an issue. 

Admittedly, he didn’t average that against the Warriors in the regular season, but he had exactly 21 points against Golden State in their most recent matchup prior to the playoffs at the start of the month. With the pressure heightened and elimination on the line, it’s time for their best scorer to step up.

Whether they get the win or not, the best bet from our Warriors vs. Rockets picks is on Jalen Green over 17.5 points (add his projection to a PrizePicks lineup).

 

 

Warriors vs. Rockets Injury Report & Starting Lineups

Now that we’ve seen Jimmy Butler return from injury, the Warriors vs. Rockets injury news is few and far between. With that in mind, we’ve got the following expected Warriors vs. Rockets lineups for Game 5 tonight:

GS Warriors:

HOU Rockets:

 

 

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