The battle of MVP candidates belonged to James Harden in the series-Sportsbook game between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder, and Harden’s Rockets will look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead over Russell Westbrook’s Thunder in Texas tonight. Oddsmakers initially set the Thunder as 7.5-point underdogs with a total of 223.
Harden recorded 37 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in Sunday’s impressive 118-87 victory while Westbrook scored 22 points on a strangely inefficient 6-of-23 shooting display. Westbrook had more turnovers (nine) than assists (seven). The last time OKC won in Houston was back on January 16, 2014.
Westbrook wasn’t the only one who struggled for the Thunder. Shooting guard Victor Oladipo was the biggest culprit thanks to a 1-for-12 performance while the frontcourt trio of Steven Adams, Taj Gibson and Enes Kanter combined for just 19 points – a major reason OKC was outrebounded 56-41.
Trends are pointing toward the UNDER in this one, as seven of the Rockets’ last 10 have gone below the total, as have each of the Thunder’s previous five.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The visiting Oklahoma City Thunder betting line opened this morning as 7.5-point underdogs in this one at most sportsbooks tracked at Odds Shark (including Sportsbook), while the total was hovering around 224 at Sportsbook and other betting odds shops.
A 116-104 result in favor of the Rockets is the prediction by the Odds Shark handicapping pick engine. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NBA matchups here.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Supporters of the Oklahoma City Thunder have seen them go 47-36 and 45-38 ATS so far this NBA season, while the Houston Rockets are at 56-27 and 43-39-1 ATS. In Over/Under totals betting, the Rockets are 42-40-1, while the Oklahoma City Thunder are 34-43-6. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Houston vs Oklahoma City injuries news.
The Rockets - Thunder betting odds would favor the Thunder if the lines were set according to power rankings. Houston is rated No. 12 in our latest Odds Shark poll, while the Oklahoma City Thunder sit at No. 6.
Statistical Matchup
When it comes to rebounds, the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder rank No. 1 in the league with 46.6 per game. That compares with Houston's No. 7 ranking in that category. The story is different when it comes to three-point shooting where Houston is the NBA's No. 1-ranked team at 14.35 per game, while the Oklahoma City Thunder rate No. 26 with 8.45 per contest.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Oklahoma City was crushed on Sunday, getting run out of the gym by Houston and falling 118-87 at Toyota Center.
Next Betting Matchups
Oklahoma City home to Houston, Friday, April 21st