The Houston Rockets (53-33, 45-41 ATS) are fighting for survival as they host the Golden State Warriors (52-35, 44-41-2 ATS) in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series Wednesday night.
Down 3-1 in the series, the Rockets find themselves in must-win territory at the Toyota Center, where oddsmakers have them as 4-point favorites.
Golden State is just one win away from advancing after Jimmy Butler’s clutch performance in Game 4.
Butler was unstoppable Monday night, scoring 27 points while going a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line. He also grabbed the game-sealing rebound in the final seconds after Alperen Sengun missed what could have been a game-changing shot for Houston.
The Warriors have absolutely dominated this rivalry lately, winning 7 of their last 8 games against the Rockets and 17 of their last 20 meetings overall.
"Guys are down," Rockets coach Ime Udoka admitted after their Game 4 loss. "But they understand that the game we’ve played well – the one game out of the four – we had a blowout win, and other games it’s been a one-possession game a lot of times, or we’ve had a fourth quarter lead and not played well."
What’s particularly frustrating for Houston is that despite having the better regular-season record, they’ve been outscored by nine points across the four games.
The series has been closer than the 3-1 deficit suggests, with several games coming down to the final possessions.
"Consistency wins in this series, and we’ve talked about that from day one, and we have to be a lot more consistent across the board," Udoka added. "The plan is obviously to go home and get one and come back [to San Francisco]."
Warriors vs. Rockets Game 5 Info
- Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025
- Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Toyota Center in Houston
- TV: TNT, truTV
- Free Live Stream: Jazz Sports
- Odds: Warriors +4 (-105) | Rockets -4 (+115)
Injury Updates
Warriors: Jimmy Butler III (pelvis) is listed as probable and expected to play despite some discomfort.
Rockets: Jae’Sean Tate remains sidelined with an ankle injury and is out indefinitely.
Home Court Advantage?
The Rockets have been tough at home this season, posting a 30-13 record at the Toyota Center. They’re also 43-14 when playing as the favorite.
Houston has won 10 of their last 13 home games, which gives them some confidence heading into this elimination game.
Meanwhile, Golden State has been excellent against Western Conference opponents, going 15-5 in their last 20 such matchups.
According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, the Rockets have a slight edge with a 52% chance of winning Game 5.
But with their season on the line and the Warriors smelling blood, expect a desperate and physical battle from the opening tip.
