2016 NBA playoffs preview: Warriors vs. Rockets

What does a record 73 wins get you? A first-round date with a dysfunctional Rockets squad that on paper, should make it an interesting series. But given their in-fighting and the Warriors' momentum, it could be a waltz to the second round for Golden State.

 (1) Golden State Warriors vs. (8) Houston Rockets

Warriors win series 4-1

Game 1 - Warriors 104, Rockets 78

Game 2 - Warriors 115, Rockets 106

Game 3 - Rockets 97, Warriors 96

Game 4 - Warriors 121, Rockets 94

Game 5 - Warriors 114, Rockets 81

Season series: Golden State won 3-0

Starting lineups:Golden State - Stephen Curry (31.4 ppg, 7 apg), Klay Thompson (23.9 ppg, 2.2 apg), Harrison Barnes (13.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Draymond Green (14.5 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 7.7 apg), Andrew Bogut (9.3 ppg, 12.3 rpg). Houston - Patrick Beverley (9.9 ppg, 3.2 apg), James Harden (28.9 ppg, 7.5 apg), Trevor Ariza (12.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Donatas Motiejunas (6.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg), Dwight Howard (13.7 ppg, 11.8 rpg)

Golden State wins if - They play like themselves. The Rockets have been one of the biggest disappointments this season from the get-go, and although they have the potential to keep up with upper echelon teams at times, their inconsistencies should continue to haunt them. Did we mention that the Warriors just completed the winningest single season in NBA history?

Houston wins if - They magically become the team that they were last season. Even if that happens, they lost in five games in the Western Conference finals to a lesser Warriors team last year.

Need to know

Golden State - Have only lost to the Rockets once in their last 10 meetings.

Houston - Lost 15 more games this season than last season.

Sam Amick's pick: Warriors in 4; Jeff Zillgitt's: Warriors in 4

Follow AJ Neuharth-Keusch on Twitter @tweetAJNK