The Golden State Warriors (27-27) and Houston Rockets (34-20) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Rockets are 6-point favorites over the Warriors on the spread (Rockets -6), with the over/under set at 218.5 total points. Houston is a -238 favorite to win outright, while Golden State is +195 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Warriors vs. Rockets predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, February 13.
Warriors vs. Rockets Picks, Prediction
Spread
This game looks a lot more interesting with Jimmy Butler in the mix.
Butler hasn't played a back to back since January 1 and 2, and frankly, they haven't gone well as of late. But he assures that his joy has been recaptured in The Bay.
Golden State is 2-1 against the spread since adding Butler, with wins and covers against the Bulls and Bucks before losing in Dallas to the short-handed Mavericks last night.
They've been favored by around seven points in each game since adding Butler, and tonight they're on the receiving end of that, being 6.5-point underdogs against the Rockets.
The Rockets beat the Phoenix Suns 119-11 last night, though they were favored by 10. This season, they're just 4-6-1 ATS with no rest. Of note, the Heat did play the Rockets earlier this season, but Butler didn't play.
Tari Eason, Steven Adams, Fred VanVleet and Jabari Smith Jr. are all out for Houston. There's a non-zero chance Butler and other Warriors stars are scratched from the lineup before the break because the NBA is the NBA, but that's speculation.
Moneyline
I have zero confidence Golden State will steal this one in Houston. Can they? Sure.
The Rockets haven't been great lately, but a team with three old stars (stars might be doing a lot of work for Draymond Green, to be honest) on the second of a back to back – for a team already 3-6 ATS and 4-5 straight up with no rest this year – this is a no for me.
Over/Under
I lean Under given that Houston has eight Unders in their last 11 games off no rest.
The Warriors have five Unders in their previous nine in the same scenario.
These two teams had a 91-90 dogfight in Houston during the NBA Cup, the last time these two played.
My Pick: Jimmy Butler Under 20.5 Points (-135)
Warriors vs. Rockets Odds
| Warriors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6 -110 | 218.5 -110 / -110 | +195 |
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6 -110 | 218.5 -110 / -110 | -238 |
- Warriors vs. Rockets spread: Rockets -6
- Warriors vs. Rockets over/under: 218.5 total points
- Warriors vs. Rockets moneyline: Rockets -238, Warriors +195
- Warriors vs. Rockets best bet: Jimmy Butler Under 20.5 Points
My Rockets vs. Warriors best bet is on Jimmy Butler to stay Under 20.5 Points, with the best line currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Warriors vs. Rockets Preview, Best Bets
If he plays, I like Butler Under 20.5 Points, which I grabbed at BetMGM. I'm out, if this is universally at 19.5.
Butler has scored 25, 20 and 21 in three games with the Warriors.
The 20-point effort was in Milwaukee without Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the 21 was against the short-handed Mavericks on 8 of 17 shooting.
Granted, their defensive foundation is strong, but Butler ultimately straddled the line.
The Rockets, even missing a few guys, still have high-end defensive wings to throw at him and Steph Curry, like Amen Thompson and Dillon Brooks.
Best Bet: Jimmy Butler Under 20.5 Points (-135)
Rockets vs. Warriors Betting Trends
