Thunder vs. Rockets Game 6 Prediction: NBA Playoff Odds, Point Spread
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Sports Interaction Staff
The winner of this series will face the LA Lakers in the second round.
After a dominating 114-80 Game 5 victory on Saturday, which saw the return of Russell Westbrook, the Rockets opened as 5.5-point favourites on the NBA odds for Monday’s Game 6 with the total at 225.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
While the under is 8-2 in the Rockets’ last ten games playing on one day’s rest, James Harden looks like he’s heating up even more and Russell Westbrook’s return only makes the Houston offense more dangerous. They have also gone 1-4 against the spread in their last five games playing on one day’s rest.
The over is 4-1 in the Thunder’s last five games following a straight up loss and 11-3 ATS in their last 14 following a SU loss of more than 10 points.
The odds are against the Thunder to win this series. OKC is +700 to win the series while Houston is -2000 (-294 to win in six games, +700 in seven games).
Houston Rockets
Game 5 was a textbook win for the Rockets on Saturday. Harden dropped 31 points (game-high) in 34 minutes, with five assists and two rebounds. Although Westbrook appeared rusty, dropping seven points on 3-for-13 shooting in 23 minutes of gameplay, this is a player who averaged 27.1 points per game in his first season in Houston so expect to see his numbers jump up big time in Game 6.
There were stretches in Game 5 where it looked like the Rockets were playing a G-League team. They went on a 19-2 run to start the second half, leading by as much as 25 points in the third quarter. Houston held the Thunder to just 35 total points in the second half on Saturday; if their defense can repeat that performance in Game 6, there is a good chance a date with King James in the second round awaits Harden, Westbrook and company.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Saturday was a night to forget for the Thunder as their 80 points was their lowest total of the season. It doesn’t say anything good about the OKC offense that Dennis Schroder was ejected in the third quarter and still led the team with 19 points in 21 minutes. Chris Paul was the next highest scorer with 16 points in just under 30 minutes of action, but the third member of the three-guard system, which has worked so well all season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, was held to four points on 2-for-8 shooting.
The Thunder are not out of this series and they thrive in their underdog role. For Game 6 they need their three-guard system at it’s best. When everything clicks, Schroder, Paul and Gilgeous-Alexander are shifty and crafty scorers who move the ball well. They need to take advantage of a rusty Westbrook and limit Harden’s chances if they want to force Game 7.
HOU
OKC