Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets Betting Preview
March 22, 2016
Date & Time: Tuesday, March 22, 7:00 PM
Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena (Oklahoma City)
Head to head record
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 112-105 (2014/2015 NBA)
Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder 112-101 (2014/2015 NBA)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets 65-69 (2014/2015 NBA)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets prediction
Having recorded three consecutive wins on the road, Oklahoma City Thunder will be looking to give fans yet another reason for celebration when they take on Houston Rockets at their Chesapeake Energy Arena on Tuesday.
Kevin Durant scoring for fun, but…
Oklahoma City Thunder did not make it to the 2015 NBA play-offs, but it has to be noted that key players Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook missed a number of matches with injury last season. Billy Donovan can count on the duo this term and, as a result, Thunder are likely to clinch third place in the Western Conference. Oklahoma are on a four-game winning run at the moment and it has to be noted that Durant scored 87 points in total in previous three matches against Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics. However, the team’s top scorer picked up an injury against Pacers and he is rate ddoubtful for the Rockets game. Billy Donovan’s men recorded three straight wins on the road and they are regarded as favourites on paper to emerge triumphant in Tuesday’s match against Houston. Oklahoma have been impressive at home this season and you should bear in mind that Thunder are eyeing their 28th home win of the season.
Kevin Durant did not practice on Monday and he is rated doubtful for the Houston Rockets game. Collison, Mohammed and Singler did not play against Indiana (coach decision), but they could return against Rockets.
Back-to-back defeats on the road
Houston’s participation in the NBA play-offs is in danger. Rockets occupy eighth position in the Western Conference ahead of the trip to Oklahoma City and they will have to be at their sharpest in the remainder of the season if they are to book their place in the play-offs. Interim manager J.B. Bickerstaff and his men suffered back-to-back defeats to the likes of Minnesota Timberwolves and Charlotte Hornets in previous two matches on the road and they face an uphill task in Tuesday’s game against Thunder. James Harden is averaging 28.6 points per game and seeing that he scored 33 points in a 116-108 loss to Oklahoma in January, the 26-year-old player is likely to prove a handful for Houston’s opponents, but only if he recovers in time to face Thunder. Anyhow, Rockets are not regarded as good travelers, with the team suffering 20 defeats in the 2015/2016 NBA campaign.
James Harden twisted his ankle against Atlanta Hawks and he is rated doubtful for the Oklahoma City Thunder clash, but coach J.B. Bickerstaff has no other selection worries ahead of the game.
Interesting Facts
- Oklahoma scored 118+ in three of their last four home games
- Thunder recorded only one win in previous six meetings with Houston
- Houston conceded 100+ points in 16 of their last 17 away games
- James Harden scored 70 points in previous two meetings with Oklahoma
- Kevin Durant is averaging 28 points this season
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets betting pick
Both teams could be without their star players in Tuesday’s clash at Chesapeake Energy Arena, meaning that a low-scoring affair is on the cards. Kevin Durant is Oklahoma’s top scorer could miss the game with injury and seeing that James Harden, who scored 70 points in previous two games against Thunder, is likely to sit out as well, I am tempted to put my money on under points.
Pick: Under points
Odds: -110
