OKC vs Houston NBA Picks
The Thunder are in a funk having lost three of their last four games, all on the road too. The really surprising part is that a couple of those were not even close – like losing at Utah by 11 – and that is a big reason they are the underdog for the second game in a row for the first time all season. [ad-4468020]
Oklahoma City Thunder (28-10) vs Houston Rockets (25-14)
Thursday January 16
Toyota Center – Houston, TX
9:30PM
Moneyline: Houston -135, Oklahoma City +115
Spread: Houston -2.5
O/U: 206
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ATS Matchup Insight | CP Insider Gambling Preview
Oklahoma City
A lot of their struggles can be traced to the injury to PG Russell Westbrook but there are other things at work too.
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With the team struggling, more has fallen on the bony shoulders of SF Kevin Durant. The league’s leading scorer he has been especially productive lately scoring under 30 points just twice in the last 10 games. With Westbrook out he is certainly having no trouble getting his points but other players are. PF Serge Ibaka has been a rebounding machine but his point production has been off and starting SG Thabo Sefalosha has been a non factor most nights.
With the outright losses the Thunder have been killing backers after being one of the hot team to run with early on. When they are in an underdog role they are always very tempting but I am not sure this is the right spot to get on their side and it might be wise to take a wait and see approach with this club.
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Houston
Houston has been playing well and I think this team has a lot of room to grow as the season progresses. Lets face it, they have had some key injuries, C Dwight Howard is still figuring out how to play off SG James Harden; and Harden still tries to do too much from time to time. All of the pieces are there but there are still some head scratchers like losing to Sacramento at home last week.
Houston is the third highest scoring team in the league. Harden is a deadly lead gunner, Howard slots in nicely as a second option and do everything point forward Chandler Parsons has raised his scoring to better than 17ppg. This team lacks that one great shooter but they are pretty efficient, especially up front where are three starters make better than 50% of their shots. They get production from their bench too.
The Rockets are over .500 against the number after winning and covering in their last two ball games. This team has shown no real preference to home or road and really you have to try and look for some spot plays as they can still be a little maddening. I think they are going to peak at the right time though and be a difficult out in the playoffs.
Spread Pick: Houston -2.5
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Houston 107 – Oklahoma City 101
