Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets Game 2: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

There was always the feeling that despite an excellent regular season, in which they finished second in the Western Conference thanks to their 52 wins, the Houston Rockets would be out of their depth in the playoffs. 

That is exactly what conspired in Game 1 of their first-round series with the Golden State Warriors, as they were beaten 95-85, and they will be eager to prevent the Dubs from taking a 2-0 lead back to San Francisco. 

The Rockets will need a better performance on the offensive end if that is to be the case, but they lack the wealth of experience the Warriors possess and Steve Kerr's side can perform well at the Toyota Center again. 

Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets betting picks and predictions

Golden State Warriors +3.5 (-105)

The Golden State Warriors, who still have players in their ranks from the dynasty which won four championships between 2015 and 2022, used all of their experience to get past a young Rockets side in Game One, and Kerr will be keen to get a repeat performance from his side to give them a chance to wrap up the series in four. 

However, Kerr knows a 1-1 split from the Warriors' trip to Houston would be a positive result and some of his star men, such as 37-year-old Stephen Curry and 35-year-old Jimmy Butler, could see their minutes cut in Game Two. 

Curry and Butler both played 40+ minutes in Game One and, while that approach worked exceptionally well, with the pair scoring 56 points between them, Golden State may not be so dominant this time around. 

They have, however, covered a +3.5 line in seven straight road games and in nine of their last 10 meetings with the Rockets, suggesting that even if they do not land a second win on Wednesday, they are unlikely to be blown out by Ime Udoka's inexperienced Houston side. 

Under 203.5 points (-110)

To say Game One of this series was a spectacle would be a lie of almighty proportions, and it is hard to see the pair's second clash being much more exciting. 

Just 180 points were scored between the pair in Game One, and there were a number of reasons why, suggesting the under - set at 203.5 - could hit again, with all of those issues unlikely to be rectified in such a short time. 

The Rockets' woeful 20.7 percent (6-29) success rate from beyond the arc was arguably the biggest reason for the low points tally and while they are unlikely to be quite as bad at three-point range, they will still have to find a way past a stellar Golden State defense. 

Since the All-Star break, no NBA side has a better defensive rating than the Warriors' 111.3 and it showed in Game One as they nullified Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green with ease. 

Both teams also like to play at a slow pace so while things may be tighter this time around, another low-scoring game is on the cards. 

Buddy Hield over 5.5 points (-110)

With Curry and Butler's minutes likely to be reduced, the Warriors' bench options could step up to the plate, including the experienced Buddy Hield. 

The Golden State guard has endured a tough postseason thus far, notching just two points in the play-in victory over the Memphis Grizzlies before matching that lowly tally in Game One of this series, but he played only 27 minutes across those two matches. 

Hield scored at least seven points in his final five games of the regular season - he played more minutes in those matches, too - and should find his rhythm with more time on the court on Wednesday. 

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Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets odds

GS Warriors	+140 ML
HOU Rockets	-165 ML
Spread	Rockets -3.5
Total Points	O/U 203.5

Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets player props

Player Points

Stephen Curry	O/U 26.5
Jimmy Butler	O/U 23.5
Alperen Sengun	O/U 20.5
Jalen Green	O/U 18.5
Fred VanVleet	O/U 13.5
Amen Thompson	O/U 13.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.