Free NBA Pick: Rockets vs. Thunder NBA Odds
Looking for Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder free NBA picks & NBA playoff odds? NBA betting sees the Rockets taking on the Thunder on Monday, August 31st 2020, at Walt Disney World Resort. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA playoff hoops predictions like this Rockets Thunder matchup.
2020 NBA Playoffs Handicapping Round 2 (Orlando)
Game 1
(0-0) Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (0-0)
Date: Monday, August 31st, 2020
Time: 9:00 PM EST
Venue: Walt Disney World Resort – Advent Health Arena| ESPN Complex
NBA Moneyline Odds: Rockets -211 | Thunder +195
NBA Betting Odds: Rockets -5.5 | Thunder +5.5
NBA Betting Total: 226
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Houston took a 3-2 series lead in a blowout victory so the Thunder are hoping to replicate what the Nuggets did and push this series to seven games.
Houston Rockets
Russell Westbrook made his series debut and understandably looked rusty in his first game back. That said, his effect on the team was positive as they played with more pace and the players seem buoyed by his presence.
Throughout the series, the Rockets have shot 50 or more 3-pointers but in Game 5 they only shot 48, however they were far more efficient hitting 19 for 39.6 percent.
In Game 5, James Harden led the way with 31 points while Robert Covington scored 22 points and Eric Gordon added 20 points.
Coach Mike ‘Antoni made major adjustments to the offensive schemes to put more bodies on Luguentz Dort via screens in order to free up Harden and it worked to get him more space and open shots.
Luc Mbah a Moute remains out with a knee injury but is the only player in the bubble on the Rockets injured list.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Game 5 rout was the worst loss the Thunder have suffered arguably this season as they produced only 80 points. Nothing went right for the Thunder as Danilo Gallinari scored a single point and was often double-teamed as Houston elected to leave Luguentz Dort wide open.
Dennis Schroder came out hot scoring 19 points in the first half but got in an altercation with P.J. Tucker early in the third frame with both getting ejected.
That put the pressure on Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The veteran rose to the challenge while the sophomore seemed to buckle under the pressure with as many turnovers as points (four) and got repeatedly exposed on the defensive end.
Steven Adams delivered a double-double of 12points and 14 rebounds.
Dort had a rough night dealing with the extra Rockets’ screeners while he defended Harden and took the Rockets bait of shooting wide-open 3-pointers.
He missed all nine attempts but eight were taken in the first half. He’ll need to be smarter in his Game 6 shot selection and drive the ball instead of jacking up 3-balls.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Under is 7-3 in HOU last 10 vs. NBA Northwest.
- Over is 6-2 in OKC last 8 Mon. games.
- Underdog is 21-7 ATS in the last 28 meetings.
- HOU are 3-7 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
Free Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Prediction:
The oddsmakers haven’t veered much on spreads throughout the series or the fact the Rockets have consistently been the favorite. It makes sense from a talent perspective, however, the blowout might’ve had more to do with how much the Thunder and specifically Chris Paul was involved with the events of the postponement last week.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Thunder +5.5
The other overwhelming fact is this Thunder squad perform at their absolute best under pressure. This must-win game is at the top end of that spectrum so I’m planning on a Game 7.
***NOTE*** In case you missed it…When the 2020 NBA 16-team playoff field is set, the NBA Playoffs will proceed in a traditional conference-based format with four rounds and best-of-seven series in each round. The 2020 NBA Finals will end no later than Oct. 13.
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