The Warriors beat the Rockets convincingly in game one Sunday night in Houston.
There was a run by the Rockets in the second half, but the Warriors controlled most of the game on their way to a 95-85 win. They lead the series 1-0 with game two set for Wednesday night at Toyota Center.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 31 points on 12-of-19 from the field. He made five of his nine 3-point attempts. Jimmy Butler scored 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting. He also added seven rebounds (three offensive), six assists and five steals.
Brandin Podziemski chipped in 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals.
The Warriors didn't play their best game, but fortunately for them Houston was far worse. The Rockets' starting backcourt of Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green combined to go 7-for-34 from the field, including 2-for-17 from 3.
Green scored just seven points on 3-of-15 shooting, including 0-for-4 from 3.
Alperen Sengun led the way for Houston with 26 points, nine rebounds and three steals.
Dillon Brooks chipped in 11 points. Jabari Smith Jr. provided a spark off the bench with 11 points, making every shot he took from the field and the foul line, where the rest of the Rockets struggled (11-of-20 from the foul line as a team).
Steven Adams was also effective in Houston's double-big lineup, when he plays alongside Sengun. Adams had 12 rebounds, including five offensive boards.