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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

The Golden State Warriors are 3-6 in their last 9 games. Throughout the stretch, they have managed to stay in the Play-in picture, trading the last 2 spots with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, as the purple and gold manages to create a leading separation to them, the Houston Rockets come trailing. Jalen Green and the Rockets, through their 9-game winning streak, are on the verge of adding more hurt to the Warriors’ season.

The Rockets are 0.5 games away from the Warriors, with a chance to dampen their playoff chances with another win. However, in a recent interview, Draymond Green claims that he does not “give a damn about Rockets,” and feels no pressure of tracking their surge.

But after the Rockets’ recent blowout win vs the Blazers, Jalen Green sent a clear message across the league; potentially to the next team in line. Following the win, Green was asked, “Are you at a point where maybe other teams should be paying attention?.” Jalen, with an unbothered energy and a smirk on his face, replied, “Yeah, for sure. They need to start paying attention. For sure.”

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The Houston roster is brimming high with confidence. After all, their 9-game-winning streak represents the longest in the franchise half-decade past. Moreover, their average margin of win during their streak rests at 15 points.

Regardless, given the Warriors’ mettle, and the experience within their roster, things are still weeks away from being decided.

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Can Jalen Green and the Rockets cruise past the Warriors?

When looking at their head-to-head matchups, the Warriors have won the two games against Houston this season. Given their recent records – Rockets winning 11 of their last 12 while Warriors winning 4 of their last 11, Houston clearly edges past. However, given Houston’s gazelle-like gaze over the 10th spot, the Warriors are anticipated to turn things up a notch. After all, holding onto the Play-in contention is the only way they continue their season.

Even though the Rockets are shimmering with extraordinary glimpses, the Warriors can be favored to make the play-ins. They have the veteran experience, a proven team chemistry, and a Stephen Curry who, despite several off nights this season, can still voyage on exploring his ceiling.

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Moreover, one can argue that the Rockets have had an easier path in a recent while. Fortunately, 7 of their 9 games came against low-performing teams with similar or lower records than themselves. With that, they will now face the 8 teams with better season records in the remaining 11 games; including a game against the Warriors on Thursday, April 2nd.

Read More – NBA Analyst Dubs Jalen Green The “Young Kobe” As 22 YO Star’s Electric Surge Shocks The NBA