Thunder vs. Rockets Pick
Two of the leading MVP candidates in the NBA meet tonight as the Houston Rockets host the Oklahoma City Thunder at 8PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Rockets are favored at home, as Houston is getting odds of -9 points against the Thunder. The over/under total for the game is listed at 225.5 points. These two have already met twice this season, with each team picking up one win. However, Houston has covered the spread in eight straight against the Thunder.
Houston has won five straight, including a 101-91 win over the Wizards at home back on Monday. The Rockets are 4-1 against the spread in this win streak. Houston is 27-9 overall and 24-12 against the spread for the season. They average 114.6 points per contest, which ranks second in the NBA to the Warriors. Houston is allowing just 106.7 points per game. James Harden is putting up 28.4 points per game as well as 8.2 rebounds and 11.9 assists per contest. Eric Gordon is adding 17.7 points per game as well for the Rockets.
The Thunder are coming off a 123-112 loss at Charlotte last night for their third loss in four games. OKC is now 21-15 overall and 18-17-1 against the spread for the season. The Thunder are led by Russell Westbrook, who averages 30.9 points, 10.5 rebounds and 10.5 assists per game. He is leading the Thunder to 106.2 points per game this year, while the team is allowing 104.9 points per game on defense.
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I like Westbrook a lot, but he is having to do it all himself without some of his teammates stepping up right now. Houston is getting similar efforts from Harden, but he is getting plenty of scoring support from teammates in this Mike D’Antoni offense. OKC will have trouble being able to keep pace with Houston right now, which is one of the hottest teams in the league.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: HOUSTON ROCKETS -9