Chris Paul faces his former team in the first round of the playoffs as his Oklahoma City Thunder deal with the Houston Rockets. Who will set the tone in the series with a win this Tuesday? The Thunder and the Rockets are +145 and -175 to win the series, respectively.
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Betting Preview for the Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets NBA Playoffs Round 1 Game 1 on August 18, 2020
Where: Walt Disney World, Orlando
When: Tuesday, August 18, 2020, 6:30 PM ET
Line: Oklahoma City Thunder (-1.5) vs. Houston Rockets (+1.5) – view all 2020 NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TNT
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder (-1.5)
Regular Season Record: 44-28
There’s no cause of concern with regards to Chris Paul’s health for the Thunder, heading into Game 1 of the series against Houston. Paul sat out last Friday’s 107-103 overtime loss to the LA Clippers with a listed hand issue, but that’s just a precautionary move for the team according to head coach Billy Donovan. Paul is what makes the Thunder’s engine run, as his experience, steady playmaking at the point, and leadership have all been valuable to Oklahoma City’s run in the regular season. The return of Dennis Schroder has also given OKC a boost. Schroder, who missed games in the Bubble due to personal reasons, has scored 30 points on 55.0 percent shooting from the field in two games down in Orlando. Paul and Schroder were the biggest thorns in the side of Houston when Oklahoma City defeated the Rockets last January on the road. Paul scored 28 points, while Schroder came off the bench and fired 23 points. Steven Adams can also be a problem for the small-ball playing Rockets.
The Thunder are 6-4 against the spread in their last 10 games.
Betting on the Houston Rockets (+1.5)
Regular Season Record: 44-28
The biggest news from Houston ahead of the playoffs is Russell Westbrook’s status. The former league MVP is not expected to play some games at least in the series against the Thunder due to a quadriceps injury he sustained in the Rockets’ loss to the San Antonio Spurs last Aug. 12. If anything, at least the Rockets still have James Harden, who’s done nothing but amazing things down in Orlando. Since the restart, Harden has averaged 34.1 points on 53.9 percent shooting from the field and 37.8 percent shooting from behind the arc. He is also making 8.9 assists and 8.3 rebounds per game at Disney World. With Westbrook out, Harden will have to carry more load, though, it’s something that he’s so used to. That said, the likes of Austin Rivers and Eric Gordon will also be there to help the Beard. Gordon has returned from an ankle injury and played in the last two Rockets games. The speed of Houston presents a headache for Oklahoma City’s defense that is allowing the third-most fastbreak points per game since the restart.
The under is 3-0 in the Rockets’ last three games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Thunder win, 115-113.
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