2016 NBA Playoffs: Warriors vs. Rockets 1st-Round Series Preview and Prediction

The Golden State Warriors, the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, are set to play the No. 8 seed Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

What's the crucial matchup? Who is the X-factor? Who will ultimately move on to the second round?

Watch Stephen Nelson and Bleacher Report NBA analyst Ric Bucher break down the Warriors-Rockets series in the video above.