Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors Picks and Predictions December 11th 2024

Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors December 11th 2024

At 9:30 ET, the Houston Rockets (-128) will host the Golden State Warriors (+108) in a Western Conference matchup. The Rockets are favored by 2 points, and the over/under line is set at 221.

This game will be played at the Toyota Center in Houston and can be seen on TNT. The Warriors come into this game with a 14-9 record, which is good for 5th in the Western Conference. The Rockets are 16-8 and sit in 3rd place in the West.

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Warriors vs. Rockets Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets
• Where: Houston at Toyota Center
• Date: Wednesday, December 11th
• Betting Odds HOU -2, GS +108 | HOU -128 O/U 221

The Warriors Can Win If…

The Warriors improved to 14-9 on the season with a 114-106 win over the Timberwolves on Sunday. Golden State, favored by 1.5 points, covered the spread, while the game’s total of 220 points went over the 215.5-point line.

After falling behind 30-21 in the 1st quarter, the Warriors bounced back with a 44-point 3rd quarter, outscoring the Timberwolves 44-32. They entered the 4th quarter with a 93-90 lead and held Minnesota to 16 points in the final period.

Stephen Curry and Buddy Hield led the way for the Warriors in their win over the Timberwolves, with Curry putting up 30 points and 8 assists, and Hield adding 27 points, hitting 7 threes at 53.8% efficiency. Curry connected on 5 threes, shooting 45.5% from deep.

Golden State made 16 threes as a team, shooting 39% from beyond the arc and 46.7% overall. Curry scored 15 of his points in the 2nd quarter, while Hield added 11 in the 3rd.

Despite giving up 106 points, the Warriors’ defense came through in the 4th quarter, allowing just 16 points to secure the win. Overall, they gave up 30 points in the 1st quarter, 28 in the 2nd, and 32 in the 3rd. The Timberwolves shot 45% from the field.

Golden State struggled to defend the three, as Minnesota hit 19 threes at a 45% clip. The Warriors sent the Timberwolves to the line 20 times, where they made 15 free throws. The Warriors also recorded 8 steals and 6 blocks.

• In their last ten games away from home, the Warriors have a straight up record of 5-5 while going 5-5 vs. the spread. The team averaged 113 points per game in this stretch.
• In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Warriors have a straight up record of 1-4 and an ATS mark of 3-2.
• Over their last five games, the Warriors have an over/under record of 1-4 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Rockets Can Win If…

Houston improved to 16-8 on the season with a 117-106 win over the Clippers on Sunday. The Rockets, who were -3 favorites, covered the spread with the victory. The total points for the game reached 223, surpassing the O/U line of 214.

A key moment came when the Rockets went on a 12-0 run, extending the score from 53-50 to 62-53. Houston took control in the 2nd quarter, outscoring the Clippers 34-24, and maintained their lead by entering the 4th quarter up 95-83.

Jalen Green’s 31 points, including 5 threes, led the Rockets to a 117-point performance in their win over the Clippers. Houston connected on 15 threes at a 36.6% rate, shooting 48.8% overall from the field.

Amen Thompson added 22 points, scoring 11 in the 3rd quarter, while Dillon Brooks contributed 19 points, hitting 4 threes at 50% efficiency.

The Rockets held the Clippers to 106 points on Sunday, giving up 28 points in the 1st quarter but tightening up in the 4th, where they allowed just 23 points. Houston also limited Los Angeles to 24 points in the 2nd quarter.

From beyond the arc, the Rockets kept the Clippers in check, allowing just 11 threes on 32% shooting. Houston sent Los Angeles to the free-throw line 16 times, where they made 13. The Rockets finished with 38 defensive rebounds, giving up 7 offensive boards, and added 4 steals and 4 blocks.

• In their last three games at home, the Rockets have a straight up record of 1-2 while going 1-2 vs. the spread. The team averaged 107 points per game in this stretch.
• As the betting favorite, the Rockets have an ATS record of 3-2 in their last five games. In these matchups their, straight up record was 3-2.
• In their last three games, the Rockets have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

We’re calling a win for the Rockets, with a final score of 136-110, and we’re taking them to cover the spread. Our recommendation is to bet on the Rockets at -2.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 221, and our model predicts the Warriors and Rockets to score a combined 246 points. We recommend betting on the over.

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Rockets Look to Regain Momentum with Fred VanVleet Against Warriors in NBA Cup Quarterfinals

The Houston Rockets are optimistic about having veteran guard Fred VanVleet back in action for their high-stakes NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. Known for his reliable scoring and playmaking, VanVleet brings a steadying presence to the Rockets’ lineup, a quality they will need to overcome their rivals.

Fred VanVleet: A Vital Piece for the Rockets

VanVleet has proven invaluable to the Rockets with his balanced offensive contributions. Averaging 16 points per game (third on the team) and leading with 5.9 assists while maintaining an impressively low 1.2 turnovers per game, VanVleet is a model of efficiency.

While he missed Sunday’s 117-106 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers due to a knee injury, VanVleet assured fans in an interview with The Houston Chronicle that he’s ready to return for Wednesday’s crucial game. His comeback couldn’t be more timely as the Rockets prepare to face a Warriors team that has dominated the series in recent years.

Thriving Without VanVleet: A Glimpse of Growth

Sunday’s win over the Clippers was a testament to the Rockets’ ability to adapt and grow in VanVleet’s absence. The team leaned on other key players, including Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, who stepped up as primary facilitators. Sengun and Thompson combined for 10 assists, while Jalen Green led all scorers with a remarkable 31-point performance.

Rockets coach Ime Udoka praised VanVleet’s influence on the court but expressed satisfaction with the team’s ability to fill the void.

“He’s such a calming influence for the team,” Udoka said. “But you want guys to grow and learn, so when he’s not out there, they’re forced to do it a little bit more. We’ve shown that we can step up and figure it out by committee.”

Jalen Green echoed the sentiment, acknowledging VanVleet’s importance while expressing confidence in the team’s ability to compete without him.

“Fred is a big part of our team, but I think we held it down for him,” Green said. “It’s going to be good momentum going into Wednesday.”

The Challenge Ahead: Warriors at Full Strength

The Rockets will need every ounce of that momentum when facing the Warriors, who have been a nemesis for Houston. Golden State has won 15 straight games against the Rockets, including a 99-93 victory last Thursday in San Francisco.

The first two meetings of the season were tightly contested, with Houston rallying from a 31-point deficit to force overtime in a November 2 loss. Now, with both Stephen Curry and Draymond Green back in the Warriors’ lineup, Houston faces an even tougher opponent.

Curry’s recent form has been outstanding, evidenced by his 30-point, eight-assist performance in Sunday’s 114-106 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Draymond Green’s contributions—six points, six rebounds, and seven assists—highlight his role as a versatile facilitator and defensive anchor.

A Rivalry Rekindled

The Rockets-Warriors matchup brings back memories of intense playoff battles from the past decade. Golden State eliminated Houston in four separate postseason series between 2015 and 2019, with two of those wins (2015 and 2018) propelling the Warriors to NBA titles.

While Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal doesn’t carry the weight of a playoff series, the competitive energy will still be palpable. For the Warriors, the allure of advancing to the semifinals in Las Vegas adds an extra layer of motivation.

“We all want to get to Vegas for sure, so we’ll give everything we’ve got,” Curry said. “It’s a little different context than the playoffs, but there’s still an appreciation for a moment like this.”

Keys to Victory for Houston

1. VanVleet’s Return: If VanVleet is indeed ready to play, his leadership and composure will be critical for the Rockets to manage high-pressure moments.
2. Team Effort: Houston showed against the Clippers that they can succeed by committee. Contributions from Sengun, Thompson, and Green will need to remain consistent.
3. Limiting Mistakes: Turnovers and defensive lapses have plagued Houston in past meetings with Golden State. Securing possessions and executing plays efficiently will be paramount.

What’s at Stake

The winner of Wednesday’s game will face either the Dallas Mavericks or the Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinals on Saturday in Las Vegas. For Houston, breaking their losing streak against Golden State could signal a turning point in their season, while the Warriors aim to continue their dominance.

Conclusion

The Rockets enter Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal with cautious optimism. Fred VanVleet’s anticipated return offers a boost, but Houston will need to execute flawlessly to overcome a resurgent Warriors squad. With both teams eyeing a trip to Las Vegas, expect an intense, high-energy showdown that rekindles the excitement of this storied rivalry.