Oklahoma City (41-30) at Houston (50-22)
When: Sunday, March 26th 2017
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Time: 3:35 ET | TV: ABC
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Russell Westbrook and James Harden, two of the top MVP-candidates, square off on Sunday afternoon in a potential preview of a first round series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets. Westbrook needs six triple-doubles to match Oscar Robertson’s all-time record for a season (47) after he recorded another one last time out against Philadelphia. Westbrook played reduced minutes for the second straight game, but still registered a triple-double with 18 points on 6-of-6 shooting, 14 assists and 11 rebounds in Wednesday’s win over the 76ers. He became the first player in NBA history to record a triple-double without missing a shot. The Thunder have won six of their last seven to move within two games of fourth-seeded Utah in the West. Victor Oladipo is averaging 18.3 points on 50 percent shooting – 60.6% from 3-point range – in eight games since returning from back spasms. Enes Kanter has also upped his play, averaging 15.5 points on 55.9% shooting in March and 16.8 on 55.6%, respectively, in the last five games while center Steven Adams is shooting 66.7% from the field in the same span. The Thunder will be on the road for three games in the next four days beginning with Houston this afternoon.
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Harden is also making his case for MVP of the league but insists he’s not thinking about it. “I think so, but I try not to think about it too much,” Harden told reporters when asked if he is making a strong run at the MVP. “I just try to do my job at a high level and win games. That’s all I can do.” Harden is averaging 39.5 points and 12.3 assists in the last four games including 16 makes from 3-point range and 46-of-53 free throws. Harden’s streak of four straight games with at least 30 points and 10 assists is the longest since Michael Jordan accomplished the feat in five consecutive games in 1988-89. Eric Gordon (16.4) is second on the team in scoring, but some of the other top players have been cold the last few games. Lou Williams, who is averaging 13.9 points in 14 games since being acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers, is 0-for-12 from 3-point range the last four games while Ryan Anderson is shooting just 35.7% from the field the past five (8-of-29 3-pointers) and is expected to miss this one with an ankle injury. Center Nene has topped ten points in scoring eight times in the last 11 games and is shooting 63% from the field in that stretch.
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This game isn’t just about the two stars – Harden and Westbrook – it’s about the group around them and whether or not they can contribute. Right now, the Rockets supporting cast is in a big slump and the Thunder are on a roll right now. I will gladly take the six points in this one.
Pick: Thunder +6
ATS TRENDS
| Oklahoma City | |
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| Houston | |
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OU TRENDS
| Oklahoma City | |
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| Houston | |
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HEAD TO HEAD
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Trends courtesy of SportsOptions.com – an UltimateCapper.com partner
