NBA Series Preview: Rockets and Thunder have their MVP candidates battle it out during prime time in Houston.
#6 Oklahoma City Thunder (47-35) vs. #3 Houston Rockets (55-27).
Series Odds: Rockets -390, Thunder +320.
Series schedule (courtesy of cbs.com):
Game 1 — Sunday, April 16, Oklahoma City at Houston, 9 p.m., TNT
Game 2 — Wednesday, April 19, Oklahoma City at Houston, 8 p.m., TNT
Game 3 — Friday, April 21, Houston at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 — Sunday, April 23, Houston at Oklahoma City, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Game 5 — Tuesday, April 25, Oklahoma City at Houston, TBD
Game 6 — Thursday, April 27, Houston at Oklahoma City, TBD
Game 7 — Saturday, April 29, Oklahoma City at Houston, TBD, TNT
Regular season series: Rockets 3-1.
ATS records: Oklahoma City 45-36-1, Houston 42-40.
Over/under records: Oklahoma City 36-44-2, Houston 41-40-1.
Prediction: Rockets in 7 games.
This is the marquee match-up of the first round, therefore the NBA will find a prime time spot for every night they play. The two MVP candidates will be showcased as they go head-to-head Sunday night.
James Harden led the league in assists and was second in scoring. Russell Westbrook led the league in scoring and was third in assists. Westbrook had 42 triple-doubles, breaking Oscar Robertson’s record set 55 years ago. Harden was second in the league with 22 triple-doubles.
The talking heads on multiple TV shows are debating which one of these two players should win the MVP award. The people supporting Harden keep bringing up how many more wins his Rockets’ have (55) compared to how many wins Westbrook’s Thunder team has (47). I do not believe that gap is wide enough to categorically deny Westbrook the MVP award. The difference is only 8 wins and Harden clearly has a better supporting cast than Westbrook.
The head-to-head matchups provided three very close games decided by three points or less. Ironically, Harden and Westbrook only combined for one triple-double in their four meetings this season. Westbrook had a 27-10-10 on December 9.
Harden averaged 18.3 points per game, 12.5 assists per game and 7.8 rebounds per game against Oklahoma City. Westbrook averaged 34 points per game, 8.3 assists per game and 8 rebounds per game against Houston.
Westbrook finished a historic regular season that may never be replicated. Consequently, he clearly has the advantage to winning the MVP.
Both teams like to run and gun as Houston ranks #3 in pace, while the Thunder rank #9. The Rockets rank #2 in points per game and offensive rating, while Oklahoma City ranks #11 in points per game and #16 in offensive rating.
OKC has a slight edge on defense, although that could be due to the fact that the Rockets do not really care much about playing defense. The Thunder rank #16 in points allowed per game and #10 in defensive rating, while Houston ranks #26 in points allowed per game and #18 in defensive rating.
The Rockets have the better team. However, that does not guarantee Houston a series win. They rely heavily on making three pointers. Houston finished the regular season with 1181 made threes, shattering the record set last year by Golden State (1077). If the Rockets shooting from beyond the arc goes cold or if the Thunder can defend the three-point line effectively, then Oklahoma City can beat them and move on to the second round.
If you want to get in on the betting action for the NBA, then click here to go to BetDSI, one of the few A+ Sportsbooks in the world.
