Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets Picks and Predictions December 5th 2024

Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets December 5th 2024

At 10:00 ET, the Golden State Warriors will host the Houston Rockets at Chase Center in San Francisco. The Rockets are favored by 3.5 points and have a moneyline of -162. The over/under line is currently set at 220.5.

Golden State has lost five straight games and is 12-8 on the season. Houston is 15-7 and is currently the 2nd seed in the Western Conference.

Rockets vs. Warriors Key Information

With a 120-111 loss to the Kings on Tuesday, the Rockets’ record dropped to 15-7. Houston, who entered the game as +1.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total score of 231 points just went over the pre-game line of 230.

Houston started strong, leading 28-21 after the 1st quarter, but the Kings took control with an 11-0 run, turning a 55-48 deficit into a 59-55 lead. Sacramento’s 42-point 3rd quarter put the Rockets in a 96-84 hole heading into the final period, and despite a 27-24 edge in the 4th, Houston couldn’t complete the comeback.

Jalen Green led the Rockets with 28 points and 7 rebounds in their 120-111 loss to the Kings, hitting 5 threes at a 62.5% clip. He was especially effective in the 3rd quarter, scoring 10 points, while Alperen Şengün also added 10 of his 24 points in the final period.

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Overall, the Rockets shot 44.1% from the field, connecting on 14 threes at a 35.9% rate. Tari Eason contributed 16 points and 12 rebounds, with 7 of his points coming in the 4th quarter.

The Rockets’ defense struggled in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, giving up 33 and 42 points, respectively, in their 120-111 loss to the Kings. Houston allowed Sacramento to shoot 51% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Kings hit 14 threes at a 46% clip. The Rockets sent Sacramento to the line 20 times, where they made 12 free throws. Houston finished with 35 defensive rebounds, allowing 10 offensive boards, while recording 6 steals and 1 block.

The Warriors fell to 12-8 on the season after a 119-115 road loss to the Nuggets on Tuesday. Golden State entered the game as +5 point underdogs and covered the spread, losing by just four points. The total score of 234 points narrowly missed the O/U line of 236.5.

A key moment in the game was Denver’s 12-0 run, turning a 54-44 deficit into a 56-54 lead. Golden State responded by taking the 2nd quarter 26-24, but Denver regained control in the 3rd, outscoring the Warriors 33-28. Golden State edged the Nuggets 30-29 in the 4th but couldn’t complete the comeback.

Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 24 points and 11 assists in their 119-115 loss to the Nuggets, despite shooting just 34.8% from the field and 26.7% from three, where he made 4 of his attempts. As a team, Golden State connected on 12 threes, shooting 31.6% from deep, and finished with an overall field goal percentage of 46.3%.

Jonathan Kuminga contributed 19 points, while Brandin Podziemski added 13 points on 54.5% shooting. Moses Moody and Andrew Wiggins also scored 13 points, with Moody adding 8 of his points in the 4th quarter.

Defensively, the Warriors had strong moments in the 2nd quarter, but they gave up 33 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters, leading to a 119-115 loss to the Nuggets. Golden State allowed Denver to shoot 50% from the field.

Despite limiting the Nuggets to just 11 made threes, the Warriors fouled enough to send Denver to the line 35 times, where they hit 28 free throws. The Warriors finished with 12 steals and 3 blocked shots.

We’re putting our money on the Rockets to win, and have the projected score sitting at 137-87. We also like them to cover the spread, so our recommendation is to bet on the Rockets at -3.5.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 220.5 and our model has the Rockets and Warriors finishing with a combined 224 points. Our pick is to take the over.

Rockets, Warriors Look to Rebound from Disappointing Losses

The Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors are set to clash on Thursday night in San Francisco, providing an early preview of their NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup scheduled for Dec. 11. Both teams will be eager to bounce back from losses that cost them the top seed in the Western Conference.

Rockets Seeking Redemption

The Rockets (10-8) saw their hopes for the top spot in the West slip away after a 120-111 road loss to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. Despite the defeat, Houston enters the matchup in good form, having won three of their last four games. Wins against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, and Oklahoma City Thunder highlighted the Rockets’ resurgence before the Sacramento setback.

Houston’s Alperen Sengun, the reigning Western Conference Player of the Week, continues to assert himself as one of the league’s most dynamic big men. Sengun posted 24 points and eight rebounds against the Kings, adding to an impressive stretch where he averaged 21.3 points and 12.7 rebounds over three consecutive wins.

However, Sengun’s night against Sacramento ended prematurely after he received two technical fouls. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was also ejected, expressing frustration with the officiating.

“Blatant missed calls,” Udoka said. “They called ticky-tack moving screens, then you don’t want to call the obvious ones right there in front of you. Alpy got fouled a few times on drives, a layup. Told them to get some glasses and open your eyes.”

Warriors in a Rut

Golden State (8-10) is struggling, with Tuesday’s 119-115 loss to the Denver Nuggets marking their fifth consecutive defeat. Despite holding a late seven-point lead, the Warriors faltered in the closing moments. Head coach Steve Kerr lamented his team’s decision-making during crunch time.

“This league is unforgiving,” Kerr said. “If you think you’re going to get on a highlight reel, show everybody what a special play you can make, it’s going to be a turnover. We’ve got to hit singles. We’ve got to make simple decisions. And when we do that, we’re really good.”

Golden State played without Draymond Green, who was sidelined with a sore left calf. Green is expected to return for at least one of the Warriors’ upcoming back-to-back games against Houston and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Despite the team’s struggles, Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga provided a spark in the earlier season matchup against Houston, combining for 50 points in a 127-121 overtime victory. The Warriors have won 14 straight games against the Rockets, a streak dating back to February 2020.

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Key Matchups

• Alperen Sengun vs. Warriors’ Frontcourt: Sengun will challenge a Warriors squad that recently allowed Denver’s Nikola Jokic to dominate with 38 points and 10 rebounds. Golden State must find a way to slow Sengun’s offensive rhythm while avoiding foul trouble.
• Golden State’s Clutch Execution: With a five-game losing streak, the Warriors need to refocus on late-game execution. A cleaner performance from stars like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson will be critical.

Looking Ahead

Thursday’s game offers a chance for both teams to adjust strategies before their NBA Cup quarterfinal clash on Dec. 11, where Houston will hold the home-court advantage. The Rockets hope to carry their recent success into San Francisco, while the Warriors aim to snap their losing streak and rediscover their winning ways.