GAME OF THE NIGHT
HOU (48-13) @ OKC (37-28)
RUNDOWN
Houston @ OKC is easily the night's most intriguing matchups. With playoff implications looming large from here on out, neither squad has enough leverage to drop games and maintain optimal standing.
Winners of 15! straight, James Harden (31.2 ppg) & co. are rolling at the right time. Consistency has highlighted Houston's year - The Big 3 of Harden, Clint Capela & Chris Paul is 32-1! in games played with each other + they boast one of the league's most complete units from top to bottom. A fully stacked Rockets team is the scariest non-Warriors contender in the West. But can HOU pick up its first W v. OKC this season?
In previous meeting between OKC & HOU, a Christmas Day showdown, the Thunder escaped with a narrow, 112-107 victory.
Russell Westbrook led the charge w/ 31 & 11 dimes. His production is always constant, is he receiving enough help to consider OKC as a viable threat? Steven Adams & Paul George have played very well this year, while Carmelo Anthony is suffering through a shooting slump (just 38% over his last 7 games).
Wins & losses shouldn't solely fall on the main guys - can OKC match a team like Houston in terms of bench production/spot contributions? This game is a nice barometer for Coach Billy Donovan: it's early March, OKC NEEDS A W (just 1 gm. ahead of DEN for 8th) + we can see if/how to challenge Houston's depth.
In a tight contest, look for the Rockets to pull it out. The ball movement, triples & timely 4th quarter playmaking (via Harden & Paul) will prove too much.
TAKE NOTE
(HOU): 120+ pts? • 15+ triples, 30+ dimes? --
(HOU): J. Harden 40+ pts? • CP3 + EG + Iso Joe --
(OKC): Double figure count • Held HOU under 50%? --
(OKC): Bench pts, dimes v. TOs • Jera. Grant pts + A. Abrines triples --
PROJECTED WINNER*: ROCKETS
*Current Prediction Record: 71-65 (L2)
• rookies italicized
MATCHUPS TO WATCH