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Warriors vs. Rockets Prediction, Odds & Expert Picks Tonight: Game 2 NBA Playoff Preview

Philip Wood

Last Updated: April 23, 2025 6:20 PM EDT • 3 min 44 sec read.

Warriors vs. Rockets Game 2 Prediction, Odds & Expert Picks Tonight: NBA Playoffs, April 23
Pictured: Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun drives to the basket as Golden State Warriors center Quinten Post defends. Photo by Troy Taormina via Imagn Images

Can the Golden State Warriors win both games in Houston against the Houston Rockets when they square off tonight at Toyota Center (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT) for Game 2 of the Western Conference first-round series?

Our Warriors vs. Rockets prediction expect the home favorites to even the series while profiling Alperen Sengun's forthcoming evening, all part of our best NBA picks. 

Warriors vs. Rockets updated betting action

Updated betting info via BetMGM. 

  • The Rockets opened at -1.5. That line has increased to 3.5 points ahead of tipoff
  • 45% o the bets and 72% of the money is on the Rockets to even the series
  • The total opened at 206.5 and has decreased to 204.5
  • 59% of the bets and 60% of the money is on the Under
  • The Warriors opened at +100 on the moneyline. They now sit at +135

📡 How to watch Warriors vs. Rockets live (Game 2)

📅 Wednesday, April 23
🕗 9:30 p.m. ET
📍 Toyota Center (Houston)
📺 TNT, truTV | 🛜 MAX

💡 Warriors vs. Rockets predictions, expert picks & best bets: Game 2

✅ Against the spread pick: Rockets -2.5 (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ Moneyline pick: Rockets (-142 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ Over/Under pick: Under 204.5 (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐

Warriors vs. Rockets prediction
Pictured: Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks reacts after scoring a basket during the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans. Photo by Troy Taormina / Imagn.

🎯 Warriors vs. Rockets Game 2 prediction

  • Rockets 107, Warriors 97

📰 Warriors vs. Rockets Game 2 preview

None of the games between these two teams have gone Over 203 points since the Warriors defeated the Rockets 127-121 on Nov. 2. While defense was on display during the Warriors' 95-85 win on Sunday, this total is set too low for me to confidently back the Under, even if that's the most likely outcome.

Instead, the best play of this game is backing the Rockets to cover 2.5 points. The spread opened with the Rockets as just 1.5-point favorites, and it's since been growing to 2.5 or 3 at our best sports betting sites, despite 55% of the public backing the Warriors. That signals oddsmakers are happy with the action they’re seeing, and the books think the Rockets will find a way to win this game.

But they'll need to slow down Stephen Curry, who recorded 31 points in Game 1. Curry went 5-of-9 from 3-point range, which was an especially impressive performance since the Rockets allowed the second-fewest threes per game this season. 

Meanwhile, Alperen Sengun led the Rockets during Game 1. While I expect Sengun to struggle more on Wednesday, every other Rockets scorer has plenty of room to improve after a disappointing Game 1. The 3-point defense will clamp down, and players like Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks will wake up to help the Rockets even the series before heading to San Francisco.

✅ Best bet: Rockets -2.5 (-110 via DraftKings)

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⛹️ Best NBA player prop bet for Warriors vs. Rockets: Game 2

🔎 Our NEW NBA player prop odds tool can help you find the best NBA odds across legal sportsbooks in your area!

🔥 Alperen Sengun Under 20.5 points ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sengun was phenomenal in Game 1 while leading the Rockets with 26 points over 36 minutes. He went 11-of-18 shooting from the field, with 10 of his made baskets coming from inside the arc. While the performance was great, there are a few reasons to fade Sengun in Game 2.

He's averaging just 19.1 points per game, and Sengun tallied more than 19 just once across four regular-season contests against the Warriors. The Warriors are allowing only 45.7 points per game in the paint, which is third-best in the league. Since that’s where Sengun does most of his damage, it’s hard to imagine him being successful in two straight outings.

And most players are going to score below their season averages given how low-scoring the Warriors-Rockets matchups have been. The Rockets will need a different approach in Game 2 as well since their Game 1 plan didn’t work. That likely means a reduction in touches for Sengun, leading to his points prop going Under.

💰 Best odds: -115 via DraftKings

🚀 Best same-game parlay (SGP) for Warriors vs. Rockets: Game 2

🧪 Want to make your own SGP? Check out our NEW parlay calculator to get the best odds for any same-game parlay.

📈 Live Warriors vs. Rockets odds & Game 2 betting lines

Latest Warriors vs. Rockets odds from our best sports betting sites.

🪧 Warriors vs. Rockets Game 2 opening odds

Opening odds via BetMGM.

  • Spread: Warriors +1.5 (-110) | Rockets -1.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Warriors +100 | Rockets -120
  • Over/Under: Over 206.5 (-110) | Under 206.5 (-110)

🚑 Warriors vs. Rockets injury report & lineup notes: Game 2

📋 Follow the official NBA injury report for more injury news.

🏀 Today's expert NBA Playoffs picks

💵 Best NBA betting sites

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Written By:
Philip Wood
Phil has covered sports betting since 2016, and he has been with SportsBook Review since 2022. He previously hosted the College Football Pick 'Em podcast for CanesInsight.com. He is always looking for value, especially on lines that just seem too good to be true. His belief is that if a line doesn't make sense just assume oddsmakers know something you don't. He also loves in-season futures. There is so much value to be had as the public overreacts weekly. Bettors tend to forget just how long NFL and college football seasons are. After all, the Green Bay Packers were 2-5 in 2023 and they made it to the Divisional Round. When deciding where to bet, it comes down to value over everything. +100 is always better than -110. An alumnus of The U, Phil always holds out hope that the next head coach will be the one who turns the football program around. He is also a diehard Detroit Lions fan and is willing to forgive Dan Campbell for forgetting that a kicker can be useful.