HOUSTON – Weaknesses will probably be troublesome to search out within the Warriors’ first-round Western Convention playoff collection in opposition to the second-seeded Houston Rockets.
Neither crew has a obvious weak spot, however that doesn’t imply there aren’t benefits.
Right here’s how Golden State (48-34) stacks up in opposition to Houston (52-30) at every place – plus teaching – forward of Sport 1 on Sunday:
POINT GUARD
Warriors: Steph Curry
Rockets: Fred VanVleet, Aaron Vacation
Breakdown: VanVleet (14.1 factors per sport) is a strong place to begin guard who helped beat Curry’s Warriors within the 2019 NBA Finals as a member of the Toronto Raptors. However Curry (24.5 ppg) is arguably the best level guard of all time and nonetheless performs at an elite degree. There’s simply no comparability.
Benefit: Warriors
SHOOTING GUARD
Warriors: Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield
Rockets: Jalen Inexperienced
Breakdown: Podziemski (11.7 ppg) seemed to be breaking out offensively earlier than hitting a short stoop within the final week of the season, and Hield (203 made 3-pointers) is a mercurial off-the-bench shooter who can go for 30 in any sport. Nonetheless, Jalen Inexperienced (21 ppg) is a bonafide scorer with a 40-inch vertical who has additionally proven a willingness to defend and move. Inexperienced’s greater ceiling provides him a slight edge.
Benefit: Rockets
SMALL FORWARD
Warriors: Moses Moody
Rockets: Amen Thompson, Tari Eason
Breakdown: Moses Moody (9.8 ppg, 0.8 steals per sport) has been the crew’s high stopper on the perimeter and has remained a harmful 3-and-D scorer subsequent to his extra ball-dominant teammates. Nonetheless, Amen Thompson (14.1 ppg, 1.4 spg, 1.3 blocks per sport) is arguably one of the best 1-through-4 defender within the league and has a blossoming offensive sport constructed round his generational athleticism. Tari Eason can be a flexible defensive ahead.
Benefit: Rockets
Houston Rockets ahead Amen Thompson (1) dunks over Golden State Warriors ahead Draymond Inexperienced, middle, and Rockets guard Jalen Inexperienced, left, throughout the first half of an NBA basketball sport Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Houston. (AP Picture/Michael Wyke)
POWER FORWARD
Warriors: Jimmy Butler, Gui Santos, Jonathan Kuminga
Rockets: Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith
Breakdown: “Playoff Jimmy” – who scored 38 factors within the Warriors’ play-in victory in opposition to Memphis – is among the nice postseason performers of his era and one of many few stars within the league able to taking up a sport by himself. Brooks (14.0 ppg) and Smith are good gamers, however there’s an considerable hole. Santos (1.3 offensive rebounds per sport) can be a wildcard on the offensive glass, and Kuminga’s athleticism could possibly be an element if he will get taking part in time.
Benefit: Warriors
CENTER
Warriors: Draymond Inexperienced, Kevon Looney, Quinten Submit
Rockets: Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams
Breakdown: This one is simply too near name. Sengun (19.1 ppg, 10.3 rebounds per sport) is an all-star and Adams (2.9 orpg) is arguably the league’s finest offensive rebounder. Inexperienced (1.5 spg, 1.0 bpg) is a front-runner for Defensive Participant of the Yr, Quinten Submit (40.8 3-point FG%) is a revelation as a rookie stretch huge, and Looney stays a strong rebounder and screen-setter.
Benefit: Even
COACHING
Warriors: Steve Kerr
Rockets: Ime Udoka
Breakdown: Each are nice coaches, and Udoka has taken Houston from laughingstock to a professional contender. However Kerr has received 4 championships and has repeatedly confirmed himself below the brightest lights. He additionally has received a head-to-head collection between the 2 (2022 NBA Finals) when Udoka coached the Boston Celtics.
Benefit: Warriors
SERIES PREDICTION
The Rockets have athleticism, however the Warriors have championship pedigree.
Warriors in 6.
Initially Revealed: April 19, 2025 at 10:55 AM PDT
