Thunder vs Rockets Betting Odds, Trends, & Free Pick [Game 1]

Oklahoma City (0-0) at Houston (0-0)
When: Sunday, April 16th 2017
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Time: 9:05 ET | TV: TNT

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In the most intriguing first round series this postseason, the Houston Rockets take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in a matchup of the top two MVP-candidates in 2016-17. Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook set the all-time record with 42 triple-doubles, surpassing the great Oscar Robertson, while Houston star point guard James Harden recorded 22 triple-doubles in a spectacular season. Harden experienced some struggles against Oklahoma City this season by averaging just 20.5 points on 34.3% shooting in the four matchups. Harden finished second in scoring (29.1), led the NBA in assists (11.2) and averaged 8.1 rebounds during the regular season. Harden was not alone on the offensive side of the ball either. The Rockets set an NBA record with 1,181 3-point baskets (14.4 per game) with Harden (262), backup shooting guard Eric Gordon (246) and forward Ryan Anderson (205) all over 200 and forward Trevor Ariza (190) not far off the pace. Backup guard Lou Williams is just 6-of-42 from 3-point range over the past eight games.

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The Rockets won three of the four regular-season meetings but were unable to stop Westbrook, who averaged 36.3 points, 9.3 assists and nine rebounds against Houston. Westbrook led the NBA in scoring (31.6), ranked third in assists (10.4) and was 10th in rebounding (10.7) to join Robertson (1961-62) as the lone players to average a triple-double over an entire season. His spectacular effort didn’t go for waste as the club was 33-9 in his triple-double games. Oklahoma City finished the regular season strong, winning four of their final six games while scoring over the century mark in five of them. Shooting guard Victor Oladipo finished with a career-highs in field goal percentage (44.2), 3-pointers made (127), and 3-point percentage (36.1). This was his first season with the Thunder after coming over from Orlando in the offseason. Doug McDermott (knee) is questionable after missing the final three games of the regular season. The Rockets and Oklahoma City met once in the postseason since the Thunder moved from Seattle with Oklahoma City winning the series in six games in 2013.

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Expect a lot of scoring in this series with these two clubs, but Houston should advance with the better overall team here. Still, seven points is a lot to lay in Game 1 and Westbrook alone can help his team cover that number.

Pick: Thunder +7

ATS TRENDS

Oklahoma City
  • Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
  • Thunder are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
  • Thunder are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Conference Quarterfinals games.
  • Thunder are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Houston
  • Rockets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
  • Rockets are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
  • Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Sunday games.
  • Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games.
  • Rockets are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 vs. NBA Northwest.
  • Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
  • Rockets are 0-9 ATS in their last 9 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
  • Rockets are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS loss.
  • Rockets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games.
  • Rockets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win.
  • Rockets are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
  • Rockets are 0-9 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
  • Rockets are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 vs. Western Conference.
  • Rockets are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
  • Rockets are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

OU TRENDS

Oklahoma City
  • Under is 4-0 in Thunder last 4 overall.
  • Under is 5-0 in Thunder last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
  • Under is 4-0 in Thunder last 4 vs. Western Conference.
  • Over is 4-0 in Thunder last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
  • Under is 4-0 in Thunder last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
  • Under is 4-0 in Thunder last 4 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
  • Under is 6-1 in Thunder last 7 games following a ATS loss.
  • Under is 6-1 in Thunder last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
  • Under is 5-1 in Thunder last 6 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
  • Under is 5-1 in Thunder last 6 road games.
  • Under is 5-1 in Thunder last 6 games following a straight up loss.
  • Over is 6-2 in Thunder last 8 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Houston
  • Under is 4-0 in Rockets last 4 games following a straight up win.
  • Under is 6-1 in Rockets last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
  • Under is 5-1 in Rockets last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
  • Under is 5-1 in Rockets last 6 Conference Quarterfinals games.
  • Over is 6-2 in Rockets last 8 Sunday games.
  • Under is 11-4 in Rockets last 15 games following a ATS loss.
  • Over is 5-2 in Rockets last 7 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
  • Over is 9-4 in Rockets last 13 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
  • Over is 45-21 in Rockets last 66 vs. NBA Northwest.

HEAD TO HEAD

  • Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Houston.
  • Road team is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
  • Underdog is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
  • Thunder are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Houston.
  • Thunder are 1-9 ATS in the last 10 meetings.

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