When the NBA’s playoff matchups were set last month, the Western Conference Quarterfinals between the Rockets and Thunder looked like one of the first round’s most intriguing matchups — not only were the two teams fairly evenly matched, but they also share some notable recent history, having come together in recent years for blockbuster trades involving star guards James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul.
Six games later, the series has lived up to its billing. It will be decided in a Game 7 on Wednesday.
The Rockets, who have held leads of 2-0 and 3-2 in the series, will enter Game 7 as favorites (they’re currently listed at -5.5 by multiple sports books), and the results of the series to date help explain why. The Rockets have beaten the Thunder by an average of nearly 21 points per game in their three wins; conversely, one of Oklahoma City’s victories came in overtime, while the other two were by four points or less.
With Westbrook back in their backcourt alongside Harden, the Rockets have a star-power advantage over the Thunder and they’re getting contributions from their role players too, with Danuel House (13.8 PPG, .375 3PT%), Robert Covington (12.0 PPG, .486 3PT%), Jeff Green (13.5 PPG, .436 3PT%), and defensive dynamo P.J. Tucker among those chipping in.
The Thunder aren’t about to go quietly though, and they’ve been benefiting from a balanced attack beyond Paul. Dennis Schroder (18.2 PPG), Danilo Gallinari (16.8 PPG), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (15.8 PPG) are providing scoring punch, while Steven Adams is racking up offensive rebounds and Luguentz Dort is making Harden work for his points on the other end of the court.
The Rockets’ high-volume approach to three-point shooting means that variance could play a large part in the Game 7 result, but they can give themselves a better chance by taking better care of the ball than they did in Game 6 (22 turnovers).
What do you think? Who are you picking to win Game 7 between the Rockets and Thunder? And do you believe that either team can give the Lakers a run for their money in round two?
Vote below in our poll, then head to the comment section to share your thoughts!
Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.
With 2 MVPs for the past 3 years，Rockets are much better team．
Tucker, Covington and Gordon are top tier defenders
Result should be 4-0, but ……
When on earth did Eric Gordon become a top tier defender?
Not top tier, but definitely a highly underrated defender.
The Rockets more or less control their own destiny. On paper, they’re more talented. However, if they endure a rough shooting night or turn the ball over as frequently as last night, they’re toast. All it takes is someone like Paul or Schroeder to get a hot hand. Basically, the Rockets need to relax and act like it’s just another game. Control the tempo and bury OKC early before they can work their late game magic.
I could see either of these teams giving the Lakers a run for their money, but would still consider LA favorites. The superior perimeter shooting is worrisome, but the Lakers have an obvious size advantage over Houston and OKC is just too inconsistent offensively IMO
Will Westbrook and Harden vanquish their former team, or will this be D’Antoni’s final game? Tune in tomorrow folks, it should be a good one
Rockets have been the better team this series but nothing about their track record makes me think they’ll step up in a must win game
Rockets lose someone check on HardenWestbrook MVP. They won’t be ok.
Thissss
We would not be OK, but I’m not too worried.
You might say some disagreeable things on here, but the one thing I respect about you is your love for your team. I don’t have a team in the NBA that I love, but I do love my Kentucky Wildcats in college and my Colorado Rockies in MLB, so I understand the passion and the getting defensive aspect of things. As long as you don’t go too far with the insults, you’re alright.
OKC will have a fix for the strategy of leaving Dort open, but if Shai doesn’t bounce back, OKC will have little chance.
Westbrook is 1-0, probably will be 2-0. Good matchups— Shai/Russ, Dort/Harden. In theory Houston’s “small” lets OKC play multiple guards… good news for Jeff Green.
Okc easy. Lakers are a bad match up for rockets, so I’d rather see better basketball then harden black holing and complaining on every call. Pulling for okc
I’m sure all of the Lakers fans were hoping for the OKC upset, too bad.
I too think Rockets are a better matchup. Cause teams are so different LA, Houston. But I’m not a fan of either. So I’m rooting for CP3. It’s a big soap if Chris wins. Rockets play smart, no TO. They should win. Gm 7 anything can happen right.
Nothing but respect for Chris Paul win or lose.
People love him so much with OKC, but when he was in Houston everyone hated him. Just another typical double-standard.