The Golden State Warriors host the Houston Rockets on Monday night at Chase Center. This is Game 4 of their playoff series, with Golden State holding a 2-1 lead. Tipoff is set for 10:00 PM ET.
Golden State won Game 3, 104-93, without Jimmy Butler, who is questionable again with a pelvic injury. Houston had a chance late but was outscored 35-22 in the fourth quarter. Golden State finished the regular season 48-33, while Houston went 52-30.
Warriors Preview – Curry Leading the Way
Golden State has leaned heavily on Stephen Curry in this series. Curry scored 36 points in Game 3 and is averaging 29 points, seven assists, and six rebounds so far. He passed Tony Parker for 10th on the NBA’s all-time playoff scoring list.
Even without Jimmy Butler, the Warriors got strong efforts from their bench. Buddy Hield scored 17 points, and Gary Payton II added 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting. The Warriors totaled 42 bench points in their Game 3 win.
Golden State’s defense has been sharp. They held Houston under 100 points in two of the three games. Draymond Green added defense and rebounding, while rookie big man Quinten Post pulled down 12 rebounds in Game 3.
The Warriors are 7-3 against the Rockets in their last 10 meetings. They have covered the spread in three of those games. Golden State has been strong at home with a 26-17 record this season.
Rockets Preview – Need to Finish Stronger
Houston controlled much of Game 3 but fell apart in the final quarter. Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 17 points but shot just 5-of-14 from the field. Jalen Green scored only nine points after his 38-point performance in Game 2.
Alperen Sengun has been Houston’s best player in the series, averaging 19.3 points and 12 rebounds. Sengun is also giving the Rockets good defense inside but has struggled to slow the Warriors’ second-chance points.
Houston needs more from Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet if they want to even the series. VanVleet is shooting only 26.8 percent for the series, while Green has two games shooting under 30 percent. Better ball movement and more physical defense are key for the Rockets.
Houston has been very good early in games this season, covering the first quarter spread in 28 of 41 road games. But their late-game performance, especially in fourth quarters, has been a weakness, where they have covered the fourth quarter spread in only 27 of their last 70 games.
Betting Prediction
Golden State comes into this game as a small 3-point favorite. Even if Jimmy Butler does not play, Stephen Curry has shown he can carry the Warriors. Golden State’s defense and late-game execution have been the difference in the series so far.
The Rockets have struggled closing games and have not found answers for Curry. The total is likely to stay under again, as it has in all three games of the series. Prediction: Warriors 107, Rockets 99. Golden State covers the spread and the game stays under the total.
Pick: Golden State Warriors -3
Take the Warriors to win Game 3 and go ahead 3-1 in the series against the Rockets.
