The Golden State Warriors secured their playoff spot as the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference after an important win against the Memphis Grizzlies. They are set to face the Houston Rockets, the No. 3 seed, who finished the regular season with a solid 52-30 record under coach Ime Udoka. The Warriors have had the upper hand in their recent encounters with Houston, winning three out of five matchups this season. However, the Rockets managed to break a 15-game losing streak against the Warriors earlier this season with a narrow victory.

In their last showdown in April, the Warriors suffered a setback as Houston’s defense effectively limited Steph Curry. This playoff series marks a significant moment as the two teams have faced each other in previous postseasons, with the Warriors emerging victorious in their last postseason clash in 2019. The Warriors are looking to capitalize on their postseason experience as they prepare for Game 1 in Houston.