Rockets, Warriors Open NBA Playoffs in Houston

The Houston Rockets, seeded second in the Western Conference, will face the seventh-seeded Golden State Warriors in the first round of the NBA playoffs, with Game 1 set in Houston. Despite Houston's superior regular-season record and home-court advantage, betting markets and analysts overwhelmingly favor the more experienced Warriors, led by Stephen Curry and recent addition Jimmy Butler, due to their extensive playoff pedigree. The young Rockets boast one of the league's top defenses and fresh talent such as Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, and Amen Thompson, but concerns remain about their lack of postseason experience. The Warriors, who have been surging since acquiring Butler, are seen as having the two best players in the series, with historical data suggesting teams with a significant playoff experience gap tend to prevail. While the Rockets have demonstrated the ability to contain Curry and have recent wins over Golden State, the general consensus is that the Warriors' experience and recent form make them favorites. However, Houston's defensive strength and youthful energy could make this a highly competitive series.