The Golden State Warriors aim to close out the series on the road as they hold a 3-1 lead over the Houston Rockets in their first-round series.
The Warriors look undefeatable with the tandem of Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. Curry led Golden State to its Game 3 win, with Butler out.
But in Game 4, with Curry struggling, Butler carried the load — with a lot of help. The Warriors benefited from an unexpected scoring burst by 22-year-old Brandin Podziemski, who poured in 26 points on 6-of-11 shooting from three-point range.
But the Rockets’ playoff run isn’t ever. At least yet. Houston desperately needs Jalen Green to step up in these playoffs. In the Game 4 loss, he scored just 8 points, though Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson continued their high-level play.
Houston kept Game 4 competitive, erasing a 10-point third-quarter deficit to take the lead late in the fourth. But stagnant ball movement continues to haunt them.
In the end, experience — and free throws — made the difference. The Warriors’ stars have the muscle memory from years of postseason success, rising in the most high-leverage moments.
One stat stood out more than any other: free-throw percentage. The Rockets shot a dismal 61.3% from the line, leaving 12 points on the table. The Warriors, by contrast, converted 91% of their free throws, including a perfect 12-of-12 from Butler.
The Rockets were the worst free-throw shooting team in the NBA during the 2024–25 regular season — and that trend has continued in the playoffs, where they’re hitting just 63.2%. If they can tighten up at the line, they have a real chance to extend the series tonight.
How to Watch Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets
Tonight’s Warriors-Rockets game tips off just after 7:30 PM Eastern. The game airs live on TNT for national audiences and streams on TNT’s digital platforms and the Max app.
Fans in the Bay Area and Houston can watch the game on their local regional sports networks.
Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets
Time: 7:30 PM Eastern
Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
TV: TNT, NBC Sports Bay Area, Space City Home Network (Houston)
Streaming: TNT app and website, Max, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, YouTube TV
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