NBA Playoffs 2025 First Round Predictions, Odds, Best Bets

Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets Series Odds and Prediction

Lastly for our first round NBA betting strategy, in what I anticipate being an entertaining and tightly played series, the Golden State Warriors (48-34) and Houston Rockets (52-30) clash in the first round. The Warriors needed to go to the Play-In Tournament and beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 121-116, to advance to the playoffs.

Now, they are on the road without home court advantage against the Rockets. This series is a storyline of one team nearing their expiration date as a contender, and another that has finally exited a rebuild and in contender territory.

Are the Warriors done yet? Well, the front office thinks they have a shot, or they wouldn’t have traded for Jimmy Butler. On paper, the Warriors seemingly have the more impressive roster. Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Butler look like a formidable trio.

In their prime, this would have been an unstoppable unit against the Rockets. However, they’re not in their prime, and the Rockets are being undervalued here. The underdogs edge out the Warriors in points per game at 114.3 compared to 113.9.

Jalen Green dropped 10 STRAIGHT PTS in 4th quarter to close out Warriors 😮‍💨🔥 pic.twitter.com/odJW8hH9Eu

— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) April 7, 2025

Additionally, the Rockets have one of the most underrated defenses in the NBA, which also surpasses the Warriors’ production. The Rockets are fifth with an average of 109.8 points against per game, while the Warriors are eighth at 110.6 conceded. Also, they have home court advantage, and Houston is great at home with a record of 29-12!

The value of the underdog is terrific here, so consider the Rockets at +150 for your NBA first round picks!