Despite the Houston Rockets earning the No. 2 seed in the upcoming playoff series, the Golden State Warriors are considered the favorites to win, according to betting odds.
This may come as a surprise, given the Rockets’ higher seed, but Golden State’s vast playoff experience plays a significant role in their status as the series frontrunner.
The Warriors’ depth of postseason pedigree, including multiple championships and a seasoned core, gives them a substantial advantage in this matchup.
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, however, remains focused on preparing his team to overcome this challenge, emphasizing that while his squad is relatively inexperienced in playoff settings, his coaching staff has been through the playoff grind and is well-equipped to handle the intensity.
“The experience for our young guys will be new,” Udoka said, speaking with Mark Medina of Athlon Sports.
“But as far as me and my staff and what we’ve experienced, I don’t think there is a whole lot that’s going to surprise us or be different. It’s just our young guys getting experience for the first time and going through the playoff prep and all the specifics of how much more you have to dig in.”
Udoka’s focus will be on guiding his younger players through the unfamiliar playoff atmosphere, helping them understand the intensity and the level of detail required to succeed at this stage.
For the Rockets, it’s about managing the pressure and learning how to compete in high-stakes games, with the hope that their lack of playoff experience won’t hinder their ability to perform against the battle-tested Warriors.
Southwest Notes: Thompson, Harrison, Dumars, Udoka https://t.co/ufuIjS4OtM pic.twitter.com/aooj6Vff08
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) April 17, 2025
