The Houston Rockets are one win away from landing on the second round, and they have the chance to do that this Monday. The Oklahoma City Thunder have their backs against the wall, and would need all hands on deck to force a Game 7. Check out our preview of this game below.
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Betting Preview for the Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Playoffs Round 1 Game 6 on August 31, 2020
Where: Walt Disney World, Orlando
When: Monday, August 31, 2020, 6:30 PM ET
Line: Houston Rockets (-5.5) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (+5.5) – view all 2020 NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TBD
Betting on the Houston Rockets (-5.5)
Regular Season Record: 44-28
With Russell Westbrook back in action, the Rockets capitalized on his return and scored a 114-80 win on Saturday over the Thunder to give Houston a 3-2 lead in the series. Westbrook, who played in his first game in the playoffs after missing time due to a quad injury, seemed to have some rusts he still needs to shake off, as he finished with only seven points on 3-of-13 shooting from the field but managed to record six rebounds and seven assists in 24 minutes. Westbrook could still get better after getting a feel of live game action again. James Harden led the way for Houston with his 31 points and four 3-pointers. The Rockets sank 19 threes on 39.6 percent accuracy. They have been especially hot from deep of late, with 42 3-pointers on close to 40 percent shooting.
The Rockets, who are averaging 113.8 points per game in the series, are 3-2 against the spread in their last five games.
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder (+5.5)
Regular Season Record: 44-28
The Thunder, perhaps losing some air on their sail after their Game 4 win due to the recent pause in the playoffs, came out flat in Game 5. Danilo Gallinari, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Chris Paul combined for only 21 points, with Gallinari and Gilgeous-Alexander scoring just one and four points, respectively. The Thunder need those two big guns to fire on Monday if they are to force a Game 7. Dennis Schroder came off the bench and scored 19 points, but got ejected after an altercation with PJ Tucker. It remains to be seen whether Schroder will be suspended for Game 6, but in any case, the rest of Oklahoma City can’t afford to be cold and careless anymore. In Game 5, the Thunder shot just 31.5 percent from the field and committed 18 turnovers to just 11 by Houston. If Schroder gets suspended, the Rockets are going to ask more from the likes of Darius Bazley and Terrance Ferguson for scoring punch off the bench.
The Thunder are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games against Houston.
Writer’s Prediction
The Thunder win, 114-110.
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