Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors: 3 Best Bets

Jonah Kubicek | Apr 4, 2024

Nov 20, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) dribbles against Golden State Warriors forward Moses Moody (4) / D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

For the third and final time this season, the Houston Rockets will take on the Golden State Warriors. The Rockets are three games behind the Warriors for the final spot in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament, so tonight's matchup is one of the biggest games of the NBA season.

The Rockets are yet to win against Golden State this season, so after this game, they will need to secure a better record outright than the Warriors, lest they lose the NBA's tiebreaker due to their head-to-head record.

Nov 20, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) passes the ball over Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) / D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

The Rockets are still without Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, and Steven Adams. Golden State was Jonathan Kuminga listed as questionable and Gary Payton II listed as probable.

Keep it posted here for our three best bets, courtesy of the lines at SI Sportsbook.

The Lines

Point spread: Warriors -3.5 (-118)/Rockets +3.5 (-110)

Money line: Warriors (-175)/Rockets (+140)

Over/under: 228.5

Our Picks

Safe pick: Fred VanVleet OVER 17.5 points (-110)

Over the last ten games, Fred VanVleet has played second fiddle to Jalen Green, but has still averaged a cool 17.2 points. He has shot a respectable 42.8 percent from the floor and 38.6 percent from deep during that span, and when the game matters more than ever, expect Ime Udoka to turn to his veteran, who beat the Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals. He plays well when the lights are brightest.

Opponent pick: Stephen Curry OVER 26.5 points (-125)

Much like VanVleet, Curry is the steady hand that has kept the Warriors afloat. The greatest shooter ever and one of the league's all-time best offensive players, expect Curry to defy Houston's defense and do everything he can to punch a ticket to the postseason for him and his team.

Defense pick: Draymond Green UNDER 8.5 rebounds (-125)

The Warriors are the best rebounding team in the league, and the Rockets are the third best. Green has averaged 7.2 boards this season and 6.8 over his last five games. However, recent comments he made might draw the ire of Dillon Brooks, who is not above bringing some extra physicality. If the two get in a scuffle, Green's night might be called short, and if everything remains on the up-and-up, Green will be battling all night.