Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 PM ET
Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
The game airs nationally on ESPN.
This is a high-stakes early-season Western Conference clash between two teams with identical records. The Warriors enter on an eight-game winning streak after a dominant home stretch, while the Rockets look to build on a recent home win and leverage their strong home form (5-1). Both squads rank among the West’s top groups and feature high-powered offenses.
Current Rosters and Key Available Players
Golden State Warriors key available contributors include Stephen Curry (season averages ~30.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.3 APG, elite 3-point shooting), Brandin Podziemski (~16.8 PPG), rookie standout Yaxel Lendeborg (~21.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 4.0 APG), Draymond Green (playmaking and defense), De’Anthony Melton, Gui Santos, Al Horford, and others in the rotation. The Warriors have relied on balanced scoring, high assist numbers, and three-point volume during their streak.
Houston Rockets key available contributors include Alperen Şengün (~21.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 7.8 APG), Kevin Durant (~21.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG), Jabari Smith Jr. (~17 PPG, strong rebounding and shooting), Amen Thompson, Fred VanVleet, Tari Eason, and supporting pieces. Şengün has been a high-usage hub with strong all-around production; Durant provides scoring and versatility.
Injury Reports
Warriors (multiple absences impacting depth and defense):
Jimmy Butler III: Out (right ACL repair/surgery; longer-term)
Moses Moody: Out (left patellar tendon repair/surgery)
Gary Payton II: Out (left knee inflammation)
Kristaps Porziņģis: Out (not with team/illness)
Brandon Williams: Out (left hamstring strain)
Will Richard: Questionable/Day-to-day (left thumb UCL tear)
Rockets (frontcourt depth limited):
Steven Adams: Out (right soleus/calf strain; expected return around mid-November)
Clint Capela: Out (right ankle sprain; expected return around mid-November) Additional two-way/G League designations for depth. Şengün has shouldered heavy minutes and rebounding duties.
Both teams are missing key pieces, but Houston’s absences are more concentrated in the frontcourt while Golden State’s affect perimeter defense and secondary creation.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Stephen Curry vs. Fred VanVleet / Amen Thompson / Rockets perimeter defenders: Curry’s scoring gravity, off-ball movement, and three-point volume will test Houston’s ability to limit open looks and closeouts. VanVleet and Thompson provide length and pressure on the ball.
Alperen Şengün vs. Draymond Green / Al Horford / Yaxel Lendeborg: Şengün’s interior scoring, playmaking, and rebounding against Green’s defensive versatility and the Warriors’ switching schemes. This is a pivotal physical and skill matchup in the paint.
Kevin Durant vs. Warriors wings/forwards (including Lendeborg or Green switches): Durant’s isolation scoring and mid-range efficiency against Golden State’s help defense and length.
Brandin Podziemski / supporting guards vs. Rockets backcourt: Secondary creation, shooting, and defensive effort on both ends. Rebounding battles and transition opportunities will also feature heavily given the absences.
Recent Team Forms
Warriors: 8-3 overall (2 -2 on the road), winners of eight straight. They closed a strong homestand with a 138-87 blowout of the Pelicans (Curry and Podziemski each scored 25; Lendeborg added 23). Prior wins included OT against Orlando and solid victories over Miami, Phoenix, and the Clippers. Offense has been elite (~120+ PPG recently) with high assist totals and three-point making.
Rockets: 8-3 overall (5-1 at home). They snapped a two-game skid with a 110-100 home win over Denver, relying on collective rebounding and contributions from Durant, Şengün, and others while short-handed up front. Earlier results included wins over the Thunder and Celtics mixed with losses to Minnesota and Phoenix. Strong home defense (holding opponents near 105 PPG at Toyota Center in some splits) has been a hallmark.
Series History
The all-time series is competitive and historically close, with the Rockets holding a slight overall edge in some tallies (regular season and playoffs combined). Recent meetings have been tight: Houston won 117-116 at Golden State on April 5, 2026; Golden State won 115-113 in OT at Houston on March 5, 2026; Houston took a 104-100 win at Golden State on Nov. 26, 2025. Playoff history includes multiple series (Warriors often prevailing in deeper runs). Games frequently feature high scoring or close finishes.
Betting Trends
Both teams are strong ATS this season (around 8-3). Warriors have covered well during the streak; Rockets are solid at home. Totals have varied, with recent high-scoring Warriors games and more controlled Rockets outputs. Home underdogs or dog spreads can attract action given Golden State’s streak and road form, but Houston’s home edge and frontcourt presence (even depleted) support the favorite.
Houston’s home advantage, balanced attack led by Şengün and Durant, and ability to rebound and defend the paint should allow them to snap the Warriors’ streak in a competitive, high-efficiency game. Golden State’s three-point firepower and Curry’s brilliance keep it close and could produce an upset if the Warriors shoot efficiently and force turnovers, but the Rockets are better positioned to control the tempo and secure the win.
Game Odds
Golden State Warriors 221
Houston Rockets – 7
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Tuesday, November 10, 2026
