The Rockets host the Warriors in Game 5 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Wednesday night. The Warriors seized home-court advantage by taking Game 1 in Houston and held it by winning Game 3 and Game 4 by the Bay. They come into Game 5 with a chance to win and advance, while the Rockets will look to force the series to go to a Game 6. In what should be another fun matchup in this exciting series, let’s take a look at my Warriors vs. Rockets best bets for Game 5 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Overall, the Rockets are 3.5-point home favorites with the total set at O/U 204 points. The Warriors listed Jimmy Butler (pelvis), Stephen Curry (thumb) and Gary Payton II (thumb) on the injury report, but all three are probable and expected to play.
Warriors vs. Rockets best bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Jimmy Butler 25+ points (+260)
Butler has scored at least 25 points in eight of his last nine games in the first round of the playoffs, with the only exception being Game 2, when he left early with his pelvic contusion. Butler had 25 points exactly in Game 1 and 27 points in his return in Game 3.
He had over 25 points in three of his last four regular season games as the Warriors pushed to the postseason, coming up just one point short against the Trail Blazers in a game in which he played just 28 minutes.
He played 40 minutes in his return, and he should be ready for another big workload on Wednesday. Getting Playoff Jimmy at +260 to get 25+ points is a juicy number to start my Warriors vs. Rockets best bets for Wednesday. It’s definitely not a lock (as you can tell by the odds), but he’s so good in the playoffs and when asked to carry a big role that it’s easy to see the scenario where he delivers the win.
Alperen Sengun over 35.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-115)
While the series is trending the wrong way for Houston, one very positive for the team’s long-term outlook is how impressive Sengun has been in the postseason. He has led the team in usage with a 29.8% usage rate in the four games, producing 22.25 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 4.25 assists per game for an average PRA of 38 so far in the series.
Sengun has gone over this line in three of the four games in the series, including both games at home. He had his best game of the series in Game 4, totaling 31 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in 42 minutes.
Even though he’s in a tough matchup against the Warriors’ defense, Sengun has been the focus of the offense and has been coming through at over this PRA line. He isn’t quite “Playoff Jimmy” yet or anything, but he’s been impressive enough to join Butler as one of my Warriors vs. Rockets best bets.
Quinten Post 8+ points (+105)
Post’s point ladder is another one of my favorite Warriors vs. Rockets best bets for Game 5, since the 25-year-old from Amsterdam has found a nice spot in the bench unit for Golden State. You can take his regular over/under at over 6.5 points at -115, this alternate point total, and even throw a little on the aggressive 10+ points at +210.
Post started the POSTseason (see how well that works?) with 11 points against the Grizzlies and had 12 and 13 points in Game 2 and Game 4 of this series, respectively. He got the start in Game 3 when Butler was out but only went 1-for-7 from the field and had two points, although his 12 rebounds were still very important to the team’s win.
Coming off the bench in Game 4, Post took 11 field goal attempts and scored 13 points in 20 minutes. Since he has become the first option off the bench in the frontcourt, he gets plenty of opportunities to score, and he should be able to deliver on this scoring line, whether the game stays competitive or he gets clean-up time in a blowout either direction.
