Could Game 5 Be the Turning Point for the Warriors’ 2025 Playoff Run?

Is it just me, or does Houston’s “must-win” label this Wednesday feel more like a last-chance saloon drama than your usual playoff grind? The Rockets (1-3) face a daunting task at the Toyota Center, hosting the Golden State Warriors (3-1) on the brink of elimination—a razor-thin line between a comeback story or a fadeout. Golden State’s slim 109-106 victory at home Monday wasn’t just a scoreboard win; it was a gut check. With Jimmy Butler back from missing Game 3 and draining 27 points like it was nothing (and yes, perfect from the foul line), plus Draymond Green’s defensive wizardry shutting down Houston’s Alperen Şengün in crunch time, the Dubs seem poised to close shop. Yet, despite that 3-1 lead, these two squads are locked in a fierce tug-of-war, splitting the critical “four factors” and trading blows like heavyweight contenders. Can Houston’s bigger frame and home-court edge translate to paint points and rebounds enough to stave off elimination? Or will Golden State’s sharpshooting weather the storm—especially considering Brandin Podziemski might not replicate his Game 4 fireworks? The betting public’s whispers and the shifting lines only add fuel to the fire—because in the playoffs, it’s never just about stats, it’s about momentum… and sometimes, a little bit of luck. Ready to dissect how this saga unfolds?
LEARN MORE.The Houston Rockets (1-3) are in a “must-win” when they host the Golden State Warriors (3-1) Wednesday in Game 5 of the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at the Toyota Center at 7:30 p.m. ET. Golden State put Houston on the brink of elimination with a 109-106 win at home Monday. 

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