Will the Rockets Upset GSW in Game 2? NBA Odds & Expert Predictions

Walking into the gym this morning, the scent of sweat and polished hardwood floors hit me like a familiar friend. I’ve spent more hours than I can count in places like this, watching players like Dela Rama put in the unseen work—the grind that doesn’t make the highlight reels but absolutely decides games. That’s what’s on my mind as we look ahead to Game 2 between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors. The question everyone’s asking is whether the Rockets can pull off an upset. Let’s be real—the Warriors are a powerhouse. They’ve got the pedigree, the talent, and the home-court advantage. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned covering this league, it’s that games aren’t won on paper. They’re won in places like the gym, where players like Dela Rama—undersized, relentless—prepare their bodies for the brutal physicality they’ll face against opponents who often tower over them. That underdog mentality, that refusal to back down, is exactly what the Rockets will need if they hope to steal a win on the road.

I remember watching Dela Rama during a summer league session a couple of years back. He was maybe 6'2", going up against guys who were 6'8" or taller, and he never once looked intimidated. He spent hours working on his footwork, his core strength, his ability to absorb contact and still finish at the rim. That kind of preparation isn’t just about building muscle—it’s about building resilience. And resilience is what the Rockets showed in flashes during Game 1, even in a losing effort. They kept it close for three quarters, trailing by just 4 points with about 8 minutes left, but then the Warriors’ experience took over. Steph Curry hit a couple of ridiculous threes, Draymond Green locked down the paint, and just like that, the lead ballooned to 12. Still, I saw something in the Rockets’ defensive intensity that makes me think they’re not just here to participate. They’re here to compete.

Let’s talk numbers for a second. Golden State shot 48% from the field in Game 1 and 38% from beyond the arc. Those are solid numbers, but not unbeatable. Houston actually outrebounded them 46-42, which tells me they’re not afraid to mix it up inside. That’s where the Dela Rama mindset comes into play. When you’re constantly battling bigger opponents, you learn to leverage every ounce of strength and every inch of positioning. The Rockets have guys who play with that same chip on their shoulder—Jalen Green driving fearlessly into the lane, Alperen Şengün using his footwork to neutralize taller defenders. If they can maintain that physical edge and cut down on turnovers—they had 16 in Game 1, which led to 22 points for Golden State—they’ve got a real shot.

Of course, betting odds still heavily favor the Warriors. Most sportsbooks have Golden State at -380 to win Game 2, with Houston sitting at +310. That’s a pretty significant gap, and honestly, I get it. The Warriors have been here before. They’ve won 4 championships in the last decade, and their core has played together in over 120 playoff games. That chemistry is hard to beat. But I’ve always been a bit of a contrarian when it comes to these things. I love rooting for the underdog, and I think there’s value in taking a chance on Houston, especially if you’re looking at the spread, which is hovering around Warriors -7.5. The Rockets covered in Game 1, losing by 9 but beating the 10-point spread, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they keep it within single digits again.

From a strategic standpoint, Houston needs to exploit mismatches early and often. That means involving Stephen Curry in pick-and-roll actions to test his defense, attacking the rim when Klay Thompson is on the floor—he’s not the same defender he used to be after those injuries—and making sure they don’t settle for contested threes. In Game 1, they took 38 three-pointers but only made 12 of them. That’s a 31.6% clip, which just won’t cut it against a team that can score in bunches like Golden State. They need to be more selective, drive and kick, and get to the free-throw line. Honestly, I’d like to see them attempt at least 25 free throws in Game 2; they only had 18 in the opener.

There’s also the emotional factor. The Rockets are a young team—their average age is just 24.3 years—and sometimes that youth can work in their favor. They play with a fearlessness that older, more seasoned teams sometimes lack. I’ve spoken with a few players off the record, and they genuinely believe they can win this series. That belief, coupled with the kind of gritty, gym-rat mentality that Dela Rama embodies, could be the X-factor. It’s one thing to show up and play; it’s another to show up and fight for every loose ball, every rebound, every possession. That’s how upsets happen.

Now, I’m not saying the Rockets will win Game 2. The Warriors are still the safer bet, and if I were putting money on it, I’d probably lean toward Golden State covering if their shooters get hot. But I’ve been wrong before—remember when everyone counted out the Mavericks in the 2011 Finals?—and there’s something about this Houston team that feels different. They’ve got a blend of athleticism, hunger, and tactical creativity that could catch the Warriors off guard. If they can limit Curry to under 30 points—he dropped 34 in Game 1—and force someone else to beat them, I think they’ve got a 40% chance of pulling off the upset. Yeah, I know that might sound optimistic, but that’s the beauty of sports. The unexpected happens more often than we think.

So as we head into Game 2, keep an eye on those hustle stats: second-chance points, points in the paint, and defensive stops. That’s where the game will be won or lost. And remember, while the Warriors have the stars and the championships, the Rockets have the hunger and the grit—the same kind you see in players like Dela Rama, grinding away in the gym long after the cameras are off. It might not be enough, but I wouldn’t bet against it.