Warriors Face Elimination in Key Playoff Game Against Rockets

HOUSTON, Texas — The Golden State Warriors find themselves on the brink of elimination as they face the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of their first-round series in the 2025 NBA playoffs on Wednesday night. The Warriors are currently down 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.

In a thrilling Game 4, the Warriors narrowly defeated the Rockets 109-106, driven by a standout performance from guard Stephen Curry, who scored 27 points. Forward Jimmy Butler contributed significantly as well with 26 points. The Rockets finished the regular season strong with a 29-12 record at home, while the Warriors logged a 24-17 record on the road.

The game is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET from Toyota Center in Houston, where the Rockets open as 4-point favorites, up from an initial line of 2.5 points. The over/under for total points is set at 204.5. The Rockets also boast a money line of -176, meaning a $176 bet would win $100, while the Warriors are priced at +147.

To make informed bets on this matchup, the SportsLine Projection Model has simulated the game 10,000 times and has shown profitable results over the past six-plus seasons, returning over $10,000 for $100 players. The model has been on a successful streak, with a record of 156-116 on top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season.

On the court, Curry has been exceptional, averaging 26 points and 6 assists during the playoffs, while shooting 41% from three-point range. Butler is also performing well, averaging 18.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. For the Rockets, center Alperen Sengun has emerged as a dominant force with averages of 22.2 points and 11.5 rebounds.

The SportsLine model believes this matchup leans toward the over on projected points, estimating a combined total of 207 points. As the playoffs continue, all eyes will be on Houston as the Warriors aim to avoid a first-round exit.