James Harden dropped 37 points, 11 rebounds and had three assists while shooting 12-of-22 from field goal range, all in just over 34 minutes of action in game one.
Even with the absence of starting point guard Russell Westbrook, the Houston Rockets led at every quarter in their 123-108 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 on Tuesday night.
The Rockets are the favourite on the NBA odds to take a two game series lead on Thursday. The Thunder didn’t have a lead going into any quarter of Game 1. Can the Thunder fin a way to shut down James Harden and the Rockets’ supporting cast in Game 2?
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Rockets tied the record for most three-point attempts in a single playoff game on Tuesday, with 52. Want to guess the other teams on that list? It’s the Rockets, the Rockets and the Rockets again. This team loves the deep ball and made 20 of their 52 attempts in the game on 48 per cent shooting from the field.
The Thunder ate 10-2 in their last 12 games following a straight up loss and 5-1 against the spread in their last six games against the Rockets. In the Rockets last seven games playing on one days rest, the under is 7-0 and it is 6-1 in the last seven games after allowing 100 points or more the previous game.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder’s 7-foot big man, Steven Adams, should have put them at a huge size advantage over Rocket starters P.J. Tucker and Robert Covington, but the Thunder were frustrated by the Rockets zone defense and they were forced to take bad shots from deep, while Adams was ineffective in the paint.
The Thunder did end up outrebounding the Rockets 46-36, but it wasn’t enough. They have been riding guards Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander all season, but they couldn’t get going in Game 1. Paul’s stat line finished decently enough with 20 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, but Schroder was only able to put up six points and four assists and Gilgeous-Alexander dropped nine points.
Normally the Thunder are one of the leagues best at defending the three-ball, but to win Game 2 they will need to figure out how to defend the Rockets superior ball movement.
Houston Rockets
Make no mistake, this is James Harden’s team and he showed it again in Game 1. Harden dropped 37 points, put up 11 rebounds and had three assists while shooting 12-of-22 from field goal range and going 7-of-8 from the free-throw line, all in just over 34 minutes of action. Oh, and in typical Harden fashion he also managed to drop six three-pointers.
Harden didn’t do it alone with Westbrook out. The trio of Jeff Green, Eric Gordon and Ben McLemore combined for 57 points, with the Rockets picking up 42 points from the bench. Green was a catalyst for the Rockets as they outscored the Thunder by 28 points when he was on the floor. It’s up to the Thunder to change the game plan because the Rockets are getting production from the whole team and Westbrook is still to come.
Who Will Win Thunder vs. Rockets?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 19 Aug 2:04am | OKC | -2 -110 | O +227.5 -110 |
| Closing 20 Aug 6:07pm | OKC | -2.5 -110 | U +226.5 -110 |
Injuries
Deonte Burton (PG)
Steven Adams (C)
Abdel Nader (SF)
Luguentz Dort (SG)
Danilo Gallinari (SF)
Nerlens Noel (C)
Andre Roberson (SG)
Steven Adams (C)
Terrance Ferguson (SG)
Mike Muscala (PF)
Tyson Chandler (C)
Robert Covington (SF)
Danuel House Jr. (SF)
Danuel House Jr. (SF)
Luc Mbah a Moute (PF)
Danuel House Jr. (SF)
Bruno Caboclo (SF)
Eric Gordon (SG)
DeMarre Carroll (SF)
Austin Rivers (PG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deonte Burton (PG) | Ques Wed | Illness - 24 / 08 / 20 | 3-1 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Burton is ailing from a stomach illness, and it is unclear if he will fight it off in time for Game 7 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets. |
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| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Mon | Knee - 22 / 08 / 20 | 3-2 | 2-3 | + - |
|
Adams has a bruised right knee but is expected to be available for Game 4 of the Western Conference first round versus the Rockets. |
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| Abdel Nader (SF) | Prob Tues | Neck - 16 / 08 / 20 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Nader is battling a neck injury, but it is expected that he will play versus the Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Rockets. |
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| Luguentz Dort (SG) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 12 / 08 / 20 | 4-5 | 5-4 | + - |
|
Dort suffered a right knee sprain, but it is anticipated that he will participate in Game 2 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets. |
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| Danilo Gallinari (SF) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20 | 5-5 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Gallinari was absent from the lineup during the last game due to a left ankle injury, but it is expected that he will be in Wednesday's lineup against the Heat. |
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| Nerlens Noel (C) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 09 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Noel missed his second straight game with a sore right ankle, but he is projected to be active against the Heat on Wednesday. |
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| Andre Roberson (SG) | Ques Mon | Foot - 09 / 08 / 20 | 5-6 | 6-5 | + - |
|
Roberson sat out the previous game due to a sore right foot, and it has yet to be established if he will face the Suns on Monday. |
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| Steven Adams (C) | Prob Wed | Leg - 07 / 08 / 20 | 6-6 | 6-6 | + - |
|
Adams has sat out the past three games with a left lower-leg contusion, but it is anticipated that he will return to action Wednesday versus the Heat. |
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| Terrance Ferguson (SG) | Ques Fri | Leg - 03 / 08 / 20 | 7-7 | 7-7 | + - |
|
Ferguson has been absent from the lineup during the previous two games due to a right lower-leg contusion, and it is uncertain if it will interfere with his status for Friday's matchup with the Grizzlies. |
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| Mike Muscala (PF) | Prob Sun | Concussion - 03 / 08 / 20 | 7-7 | 7-7 | + - |
|
Muscala has cleared the league's concussion protocol, and will likely make his return to the lineup Sunday against the Wizards. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyson Chandler (C) | Out Sat | Neck - 12 / 09 / 20 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Chandler is dealing with neck spasms and will sit out Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Lakers. |
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| Robert Covington (SF) | PRob Thurs | Head - 09 / 09 / 20 | 0-3 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Covington is battling headache, but it is projected that he will line up in Game 4 of the Western Conference second round versus the Lakers. |
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| Danuel House Jr. (SF) | out for season | Personal - 08 / 09 / 20 | 0-3 | 1-2 | + - |
|
House Jr. will not be permitted to participate in the remainder of the postseason due to a violation of bubble protocol. |
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| Danuel House Jr. (SF) | Ques Sun | Head - 05 / 09 / 20 | 1-4 | 1-4 | + - |
|
House Jr. is tending to a head injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up for Game 2 of the Western Conference second round versus the Lakers. |
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| Luc Mbah a Moute (PF) | Out indefinitely | Knee - 19 / 08 / 20 | 4-7 | 4-7 | + - |
|
Mbah a Moute has a left knee effusion, and there is no timetable for return. |
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| Danuel House Jr. (SF) | Prob Tues | Toe - 10 / 08 / 20 | 5-10 | 5-10 | + - |
|
House Jr. is bothered by a left toe sprain, but he is expected to be active for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Thunder. |
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| Bruno Caboclo (SF) | Out Sun | Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20 | 8-11 | 6-13 | + - |
|
Caboclo has sat out the past three games due to a sprained right ankle, and he will not return Sunday against the Kings. |
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| Eric Gordon (SG) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 28 / 07 / 20 | 8-11 | 6-13 | + - |
|
Gordon has been sidelined with a left ankle sprain, but is expected to make his return Wednesday against the Pacers. |
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| DeMarre Carroll (SF) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 27 / 07 / 20 | 8-11 | 6-13 | + - |
|
Carroll missed the last game with a hamstring injury, but it is expected that he will play against the Bucks on Sunday. |
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| Austin Rivers (PG) | day to day | Personal - 24 / 07 / 20 | - | - | + - |
|
Rivers was away from the team due to a personal matter. He has returned and is likely to line up in Friday's matchup versus the Mavericks. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 19 Aug 2:04am OKC -2 -110 O +227.5 -110 Closing 20 Aug 6:07pm OKC -2.5 -110 U +226.5 -110 -
Injuries
Deonte Burton (PG)
Ques Wed Illness - 24 / 08 / 20Steven Adams (C)
Prob Mon Knee - 22 / 08 / 20Abdel Nader (SF)
Prob Tues Neck - 16 / 08 / 20Luguentz Dort (SG)
Prob Thurs Knee - 12 / 08 / 20Danilo Gallinari (SF)
Prob Wed Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20Nerlens Noel (C)
Prob Wed Ankle - 09 / 08 / 20Andre Roberson (SG)
Ques Mon Foot - 09 / 08 / 20Steven Adams (C)
Prob Wed Leg - 07 / 08 / 20Terrance Ferguson (SG)
Ques Fri Leg - 03 / 08 / 20Mike Muscala (PF)
Prob Sun Concussion - 03 / 08 / 20Tyson Chandler (C)
Out Sat Neck - 12 / 09 / 20Robert Covington (SF)
PRob Thurs Head - 09 / 09 / 20Danuel House Jr. (SF)
out for season Personal - 08 / 09 / 20Danuel House Jr. (SF)
Ques Sun Head - 05 / 09 / 20Luc Mbah a Moute (PF)
Out indefinitely Knee - 19 / 08 / 20Danuel House Jr. (SF)
Prob Tues Toe - 10 / 08 / 20Bruno Caboclo (SF)
Out Sun Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20Eric Gordon (SG)
Prob Wed Ankle - 28 / 07 / 20DeMarre Carroll (SF)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 27 / 07 / 20Austin Rivers (PG)
day to day Personal - 24 / 07 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Deonte Burton (PG) Ques Wed Illness - 24 / 08 / 20 3-1 2-2 + - Burton is ailing from a stomach illness, and it is unclear if he will fight it off in time for Game 7 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Mon Knee - 22 / 08 / 20 3-2 2-3 + - Adams has a bruised right knee but is expected to be available for Game 4 of the Western Conference first round versus the Rockets.
Abdel Nader (SF) Prob Tues Neck - 16 / 08 / 20 3-4 3-4 + - Nader is battling a neck injury, but it is expected that he will play versus the Rockets in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Rockets.
Luguentz Dort (SG) Prob Thurs Knee - 12 / 08 / 20 4-5 5-4 + - Dort suffered a right knee sprain, but it is anticipated that he will participate in Game 2 of the Western Conference first round against the Rockets.
Danilo Gallinari (SF) Prob Wed Ankle - 10 / 08 / 20 5-5 6-4 + - Gallinari was absent from the lineup during the last game due to a left ankle injury, but it is expected that he will be in Wednesday's lineup against the Heat.
Nerlens Noel (C) Prob Wed Ankle - 09 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-5 + - Noel missed his second straight game with a sore right ankle, but he is projected to be active against the Heat on Wednesday.
Andre Roberson (SG) Ques Mon Foot - 09 / 08 / 20 5-6 6-5 + - Roberson sat out the previous game due to a sore right foot, and it has yet to be established if he will face the Suns on Monday.
Steven Adams (C) Prob Wed Leg - 07 / 08 / 20 6-6 6-6 + - Adams has sat out the past three games with a left lower-leg contusion, but it is anticipated that he will return to action Wednesday versus the Heat.
Terrance Ferguson (SG) Ques Fri Leg - 03 / 08 / 20 7-7 7-7 + - Ferguson has been absent from the lineup during the previous two games due to a right lower-leg contusion, and it is uncertain if it will interfere with his status for Friday's matchup with the Grizzlies.
Mike Muscala (PF) Prob Sun Concussion - 03 / 08 / 20 7-7 7-7 + - Muscala has cleared the league's concussion protocol, and will likely make his return to the lineup Sunday against the Wizards.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Tyson Chandler (C) Out Sat Neck - 12 / 09 / 20 0-1 0-1 + - Chandler is dealing with neck spasms and will sit out Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Lakers.
Robert Covington (SF) PRob Thurs Head - 09 / 09 / 20 0-3 1-2 + - Covington is battling headache, but it is projected that he will line up in Game 4 of the Western Conference second round versus the Lakers.
Danuel House Jr. (SF) out for season Personal - 08 / 09 / 20 0-3 1-2 + - House Jr. will not be permitted to participate in the remainder of the postseason due to a violation of bubble protocol.
Danuel House Jr. (SF) Ques Sun Head - 05 / 09 / 20 1-4 1-4 + - House Jr. is tending to a head injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up for Game 2 of the Western Conference second round versus the Lakers.
Luc Mbah a Moute (PF) Out indefinitely Knee - 19 / 08 / 20 4-7 4-7 + - Mbah a Moute has a left knee effusion, and there is no timetable for return.
Danuel House Jr. (SF) Prob Tues Toe - 10 / 08 / 20 5-10 5-10 + - House Jr. is bothered by a left toe sprain, but he is expected to be active for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Thunder.
Bruno Caboclo (SF) Out Sun Ankle - 01 / 08 / 20 8-11 6-13 + - Caboclo has sat out the past three games due to a sprained right ankle, and he will not return Sunday against the Kings.
Eric Gordon (SG) Prob Wed Ankle - 28 / 07 / 20 8-11 6-13 + - Gordon has been sidelined with a left ankle sprain, but is expected to make his return Wednesday against the Pacers.
DeMarre Carroll (SF) Prob Sun Hamstring - 27 / 07 / 20 8-11 6-13 + - Carroll missed the last game with a hamstring injury, but it is expected that he will play against the Bucks on Sunday.
Austin Rivers (PG) day to day Personal - 24 / 07 / 20 - - + - Rivers was away from the team due to a personal matter. He has returned and is likely to line up in Friday's matchup versus the Mavericks.