Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors: 3 Best Bets

The Houston Rockets are still searching for their first win of the season, and benefit from playing at home this evening against the Golden State Warriors. However, the Warriors are never an easy win and are expected to take home the win.

The Warriors are an aging team, but experience usually beats youth. The Rockets, unfortunately, have been embarrassed by the Orlando Magic and then outplayed in overtime by the San Antonio Spurs. Homecourt does come with advantages, but unless Amen Thompson can put the clamps on the Warriors’ backcourt, don’t expect this game to be particularly close.

Luckily, Houston is mostly healthy, with only Tari Eason and Jock Landale missing the game. Neither of them has played in a game so far. On the other hand, the Warriors don’t have anyone listed as “out,” but both Draymond Green and Steph Curry are on the injury report. Here are the odds, via SI Sportsbook.

The Lines

Point Spread: Warriors (-6.5)/Spurs (+6.5)

Money Line: Warriors (-275)/Rockets (+210)

Over/Under: 224.5

Our Picks

Safest pick: OVER 224.5 (-110)

Usually, we reserve our three picks for player props or other fun bets like that, but the Rockets and Spurs combined for 248 points on Friday. Granted, overtime helped, but 224.5 is an unusually low line for a high-powered Warriors team. Plus, the Rockets have limitless offensive potential with Alperen Şengün, Jalen Green, and Fred VanVleet.

Opponent pick: Chris Paul UNDER 13.5 points (-133)

In six career matchups, Fred VanVleet has held Paul George to under his usual scoring output. On top of that, Thompson is one of only a few young players who can keep up with the Point God. Chris Paul should have a very good game, but his success will come from feeding Kevon Looney and Green down low against the porous Rockets’ interior defense.

Risky pick: Jabari Smith Jr. OVER 13.5 points (-120)

Smith Jr. is yet to have a good game this season and got embarrassed by Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs earlier this weekend. I’m sorry, this is a Rockets’ site, but we should call it what it is. He is 8/25 from the floor this season, 2/12 from behind the arc, and does not excel at drawing contact down low to get himself to the free-throw line. He is due for a good outing, and it is only a matter of time, but don’t expect it to come against one of the best teams in the league.

After two demoralizing losses, this game will be a test for Ime Udoka and his young team. Do they let the Warriors run away with it, or will they play competitive basketball until the end? Expectations are low, and rightfully so. If Houston fails to answer the call for three straight games, there will be some serious concerns to address.