GAME PREVIEW
Crucial factors that could swing Rockets' showdown with Warriors
Dec 5, 2024, 1:46 pm
The Warriors host the Rockets Thursday night. Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images.
Houston Rockets (15-7) at Golden State Warriors (12-8)
Thursday, 10 p.m. EST | Chase Center, San Francisco
Bottom Line
The Golden State Warriors aim to snap a five-game losing streak as they host the surging Houston Rockets, who currently sit second in the Western Conference. Both teams look to solidify their positions in a competitive conference matchup, with contrasting recent forms coming into play.
Team Dynamics
- Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have been struggling of late, going 4-6 in their last 10 games, with their five-game skid highlighting key weaknesses. Golden State continues to dominate the glass, ranking second in the NBA with 49 rebounds per game, spearheaded by Kevon Looney's consistent efforts (7.8 RPG). However, offensive efficiency and late-game execution have been issues, as they’ve allowed opponents to score an average of 111.1 points during this slump. - Houston Rockets
On the flip side, Houston has been a revelation this season, winning seven of its last 10 games while playing high-energy basketball. The Rockets’ transition game has been particularly potent, ranking second in the Western Conference with 18.2 fast-break points per game, driven by the versatility of Tari Eason (3.7 fast-break PPG). Alperen Sengun has been dominant, averaging 19 points and 10.7 rebounds, anchoring Houston’s offense and defense.
Key Matchups
- Stephen Curry vs. Houston's Defense
Curry leads the Warriors with 22.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. Stopping him will be key for Houston’s defense, which has held opponents to a league-low 43.3% shooting. Can Curry break free against Houston's swarming perimeter defense? - Alperen Sengun vs. Warriors' Frontcourt
Sengun’s inside presence has been a consistent weapon for the Rockets. His ability to dominate the boards and finish in the paint will test Kevon Looney and the Warriors' defense. Golden State’s interior defense could be a pivotal factor in determining the game’s outcome.
Stats to Watch
- The Rockets are averaging 118.1 points over their last 10 games, outpacing their opponents by more than 10 points per game during that stretch.
- Golden State, despite recent struggles, still shoots 45.7% from the field, slightly above Houston’s defensive allowance (43.3%).
Injury Updates
- Warriors: Draymond Green remains sidelined with a calf injury, while De’Anthony Melton is out for the season (ACL).
- Rockets: No injuries reported.
What to Expect
This matchup pits Golden State’s desperate attempt to recover against Houston’s youthful momentum. If the Rockets continue their fast-paced, balanced attack, they could capitalize on the Warriors' struggles. However, with Curry and the home crowd at Chase Center, Golden State can never be counted out.
Will Houston continue to rise, or will Golden State reclaim its rhythm? Tune in Thursday night for what promises to be a compelling clash.
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The 2025 season hasn't gone according to script for the Houston Astros. Injuries, slumps, and a retooled roster have left fans asking whether this version of the Astros is underwhelming—or if, given all the turmoil, they might actually be overachieving.
When Houston dealt Kyle Tucker, a franchise cornerstone, the move raised eyebrows. Tucker was a consistent producer and an anchor in right field. In return, the Astros received infielder Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and third baseman now outfielder Cam Smith—players who didn’t bring the same star power but offered versatility and upside.
Paredes has delivered as advertised. He’s brought steady production at the plate and the ability to play a solid third base. While he may not be with the team beyond 2027 if the front office sticks to its recent pattern of letting players walk in free agency, his presence right now is stabilizing an otherwise inconsistent lineup.
Then there’s Cam Smith, who might be the real key to this deal. After a slow start and questions about whether he or Zach Dezenzo was the better option in right field, Smith has surged. Over the past 30 days, he’s hit north of .300 and shown signs of becoming a long-term fixture. The biggest question now is positional: Is he Houston’s future in right field, or could he eventually slide over to third base if/when Paredes departs? That decision will ripple through future roster planning and could define how this trade is remembered.
In the meantime, however, he’s shown flashes of being a quality everyday player. But it’s not uncommon for young hitters to take a step back after an initial surge. The Astros need him to keep proving it, but the potential is unmistakable.
Underwhelming or overachieving?
Elsewhere on the roster, the results are mixed. Players like Jake Meyers and Victor Caratini, who came into the season with modest expectations, have performed admirably. Meanwhile, stars like José Altuve, Christian Walker, and Yainer Díaz have underperformed, leaving the offensive output uneven. Add in the extended absence of Yordan Álvarez and the loss of three-fifths of the starting rotation, and it's fair to say Houston has had more than its share of adversity.
King of the hill
One area where the Astros have arguably found a diamond in the rough is Bryan King. With a 1.52 ERA in 2025, King has passed the eye test as a potential long-term solution in high-leverage relief situations. He’s been more than capable, building on a solid 2.39 ERA in 2024. His performance has solidified his place in the bullpen, and he’s taken on ownership of his role. However, it’s important for the Astros to temper expectations, especially after the lessons learned from the Rafael Montero signing. King looks like the real deal, but he still has a ways to go before being considered a true elite option out of the 'pen.
What should we make of the Alex Bregman quad injury?
Bregman’s injury doesn’t really change the conversation around whether the Astros should have extended him. If anything, it highlights the complexity of roster decisions. Houston could’ve kept Bregman, shifted Paredes to first base, and potentially avoided spending big on Christian Walker. But injuries are part of the game—Yordan Álvarez has missed nearly half the season, and no one’s suggesting the Astros should regret signing him. Kyle Tucker missed significant time last year, too, and he’s about to land a massive contract. Players get hurt. That’s baseball.
Moving forward
While the Astros have struggled with injuries and inconsistent performances, they have managed to remain competitive—perhaps even overachieving given the circumstances. The team's depth, the surprising performances from certain players, and the emergence of promising new talent have allowed them to hold their ground, currently possessing a Wild Card spot in the AL if the season were to end today.
There's so much more to discuss! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
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