The Houston Rockets have demonstrated their resilience, securing a convincing 131-116 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 5. The series now moves back to San Francisco for Game 6 on Friday, with significant attention focused on the condition of Steph Curry`s thumb. Can the Rockets force a decisive Game 7, or will the Warriors close out the series on their home court? There are numerous betting opportunities to explore as one of the most compelling series in the 2025 NBA playoffs continues.
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors
Since the Golden State dynasty began in 2015, the Warriors have been involved in 12 series that reached at least six games. They lost both Game 5 and Game 6 only once – in the 2016 NBA Finals, where Draymond Green was suspended for Game 5. This means that in the 11 series where both Green and Stephen Curry were available, they did not lose both games consecutively. One key to their success is tactical flexibility. If opponents manage their standard motion offense, the Warriors can switch to a heavy pick-and-roll game, creating new problems for the defense. A prime example is Game 6 against the Rockets in 2019: Curry was quiet in the first half but exploded in the second by frequently running pick-and-rolls with Green. Another instance is his 50-point performance in Game 7 against the Kings. Curry may not always prefer `hero ball,` but he is capable of it. He has more solutions for opposing defenses than they have for his offense. Therefore, it is expected that he will find ways to break down Houston`s defense in Game 6.
The Pick: Warriors -5.5
Golden State`s offense is expected to perform well in Game 6, but there are doubts about Houston`s offense. Their efficiency in Game 5 relied on an unsustainably high shooting percentage, and in Game 4, it benefited from Draymond Green getting into foul trouble, which prevented him from guarding Alperen Sengun effectively. Otherwise, the Rockets` offense has struggled significantly. With the Warriors returning home and having renewed urgency, they are expected to clamp down on the Rockets` offense and seal the series.
The Pick: Under 207.5
In Game 5, the pick was Steven Adams Over 6.5 rebounds, and he would have reached this mark if the game had been more competitive. He had six rebounds in about 17 minutes, but had fewer opportunities for offensive rebounds because the Rockets made most of their shots during the competitive portion of the game. The more they miss, the more chances he gets to rebound. If you doubt their offense, consider betting on their offensive rebounding. The Adams-Sengun pairing has been the Rockets` only reliable weapon in this series. They dominate when playing together but struggle significantly with other lineups. They will rely on this duo until the end, so betting on Adams is a good option.
The Pick: Adams Over 7.5 Rebounds
Jasper Hawthorne