Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets Betting Preview
December 8, 2016
Date & time: Friday, December 9 ,8:00 PM
Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena (Oklahoma)
Head to head record
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets 105-103 (2016/2017 NBA)
Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder 118-110 (2015/2016 NBA)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets 111-107 (2015/2016 NBA)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets 116-108 (2015/2016 NBA)
Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder 110-105 (2015/2016 NBA)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets prediction
Oklahoma City Thunder look unstoppable at the moment. Russell Westbrook and Co. are eyeing their seventh consecutive win in the league, but the red-hot Hornets should not be underestimated. Considering that both teams have been in a thrilling form of late, a lively showdown appears on the cards.
Six in a row
Oklahoma City Thunder continue their life without Kevin Durant. Russell Westbrook has been the team’s key player so far this season and he lead the team to a 102-99 win over Atlanta on Monday. Thunder are brimming with confidence ahead of the visit of Houston Rockets and they have been climbing the standings day by day. Oklahoma sit in sixth place in the Westerne Conference and they are on the right track to book their place in the NBA play-offs. Billy Donovan’s team have already recorded nine wins at home this season and it has to be noted that they outplayed New Orleans Pelicans in their last game at their Chesapeake Energy Arena. In previous three meetings between Oklahoma and Houston at the venue Thunder emerged triumphant, but the hosts will have to prove their worth on the court.
Cameron Payne remains in the recovery room, but coach Billy Donovan has no other selection worries ahead of Friday’s game agaisnt Houston Rockets.
All eyes on “the Beard”
Houston Rockets played an important role in the NBA play-offs last season and they have been producing splendid performances at the start of the new campaign as well. Mike D’Antoni’s men have been raising their form week by week and they impressed in a 134-95 victory over Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. Key player James Harden scored 25 points against Lakers, but you should have in mind that he played no more than 29 minutes during the match due to blow out. “The Beard” has been averaging 28.5 points this season and he has 11.4 assists per game. Everything in Houston’s game depends on Harden and it remains to be seen if Oklahoma City Thunder are capable of preventing him from scoring more than 25 points in Thursday’s clash at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Rockets are after their fifth consecutive win in the league and it has to be noted that they did remarkably well to upset star-studded Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena earlier in December.
Coach Mike D’Antoni has a full squad to choose from and he is unlikely to make changes to the starting line-up that outplayed Los Angeles Lakers: Beverley, Harden, Ariza, Anderson, Capela.
Interesting facts
- Both teams scored over 100 points in each of their last seven meetings in NBA
- Houston Rockets scored 15 three-pointers against Lakers
- Oklahoma are after their fourth consecutive win at home
- Rockets conceded 100+ points in each of their previous five games on the road
- Russell Westbrook has been averaging 31 points this season
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets betting pick
As I have already mentioned, both Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets have been in a terrific form of late and there is every chance we will see a high-scoring game at Chesapeake Energy Arena. However, seeing that both teams produce much better performances in front of home fans, I am tempted to put my money on Billy Donovan’s charges.
Pick: Oklahoma -1.5
Odds: -110
