The first round of the NBA Playoffs continue today and we will see the Houston Rockets take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City Oklahoma. The game is scheduled for a 9:30 pm (Eastern) start time and will be televised on TNT. Currently the Odds for the game have Oklahoma City favored by 11 points while the total sits at 212.5.
Analysis: The Rockets traveled back to Houston between games and will hope they are much more composed in Game 2. Eighth-seeded Houston looked overwhelmed by the top-seeded Thunder at the outset and then was mauled in the second half. Houston's offense was outstanding all season with 106.0 PPG (2nd in NBA) on 46.1% FG and 36.6% three-pointers (both 9th-best in league), knocking down 10.6 threes per game (2nd in NBA). But in Game 1, the club shot 36% from the floor, including just 8-of-36 threes (22%), with nearly as many turnovers (15) as assists (17). Defensively, this Rockets team really struggles to stop opponents, allowing 102.5 PPG (3rd-worst in league) in the regular season. SG James Harden was the only Game 1 starter in double-figures with 20 points, but he made just 6-of-19 FG (1-of-6 threes). Harden did have six rebounds though, and he should be able to bounce back against his former team, whom he averaged 29.3 PPG (44% FG) and 4.0 RPG in three meetings during the regular season. Houston’s 91-point outing in the opener was 15 points below its season average. Point guard Jeremy Lin has trouble shadowing athletic opponents and was badly outplayed by Westbrook in Game 1. Lin had four points on 1-of-7 shooting and committed four turnovers. “He’s a young kid and this was his first playoff game,” Rockets coach Kevin McHale said in defense of Lin after the contest. “I think that sometimes the expectation levels are so high. He’ll be better the next game. He’s a tough kid and he’ll bounce back.” Lin had plenty of company when it came to players who struggled as Harden (20 points on 6-of-19 shooting) was the lone starter to score in double digits.
The Oklahoma City Thunder were so dominant in the opening game of their first-round series with Houston that it won’t be a surprise if the Rockets get swept. Like Houston, Oklahoma City possesses an outstanding offense, scoring 105.7 PPG (3rd in NBA) on a remarkable shooting accuracy of 48.1% FG (3rd in league) and 37.7% threes (also 3rd in NBA) during the regular season. The team shattered those marks in Game 1 with 120 points on 53% FG and 42% threes (10-for-24). The Thunder dished out more than twice as many assists (28) as turnovers (13) while also stepping up defensively with nine steals and nine blocked shots. They also won the rebounding battle, 46-39, and outscored the Rockets 50-46 in terms of points in the paint. SF Kevin Durant had his typical strong performance of 24 points (7-of-15 FG, 9-of-9 FT), six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals. This effort wasn't a huge surprise though, considering he had his way against Houston in the regular season with 26.3 PPG (47% FG), 7.0 RPG and 5.7 APG. PG Russell Westbrook had been even better in the regular-season series with 23.3 PPG, 8.3 APG and 7.7 RPG, and he posted a near triple-double in Game 1 with 19 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. PF Serge Ibaka was also highly efficient, pitching in 17 points (7-of-11 FG), seven rebounds and three blocks in his 27 minutes. He was also outstanding versus the Rockets in the regular season with 16.0 PPG (65% FG), 8.7 RPG and 4.0 blocks per contest. In the opener the Thunder received 47 points from their bench with veteran guard Derek Fisher sinking three 3-pointers while playing 12 minutes. Oklahoma City’s 29-point win marked its third rout of the Rockets this season. The Thunder notched regular-season victories of 30 and 22 points.
Pick: I will be looking at the Over in this one. The Thunder has torn apart this Houston defense this year to the tune of 120.8 ppg and I expect more the same in this one. I also expect a closer game which means that Houston will put up a ton of points as well. The Thunder do play good defense at home, allowing just 95.4 ppg here, but Houston is the top scoring team in the league and they are in desperation mode here, so you can expect them to throw all the offense they can at the Thunder. The Houston defense has allowed 104.3 ppg on the road, while the thunder comes in having scored 108 ppg at home and they have scored 120 points in each of their two meetings with Houston in games played here this year. Both teams should get to triple figures in what will be a fast paced uptempo. Houston will stay with in reach for most of the game, which should also give us a FT show at the end of the game, as they just don't wanna go down 2-0 and even if OKC has a huge lead you will see them slac off a bit on defense, which should lead to some late scoring by Houston as well. I expect a game in the range of 115-107.
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NBA Free Picks: Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder (Best Bet)
What pro basketball bettors need to know about Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday (4/24/13) - a best bet from Pregame.com's Vegas Runner with Bryan Leonard and host Steve Fezzik.