Here we go again. That was the prevailing sentiment among Houston Rockets fans when the No. 2-seed Rockets drew the No. 7-seed Golden State Warriors as their first-round NBA playoff opponent, the fifth postseason meeting between the two teams in the last 10 years.

Denver still has the best player in the world in Nikola Jokić. With a exception of a down postseason from his running mate in 2024, Jokić and Jamal Murray are among the league's bigger playoff risers. And the Nuggets ending the season 3-0 under their interim coach could be more than the typical "new coach bump."

BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Rockets host the Golden State Warriors to start the Western Conference first round. Houston and Golden State tied the regular season series 0-0. The Rockets are 31-21 in conference matchups. Houston is 22-23 against opponents with a winning record.