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5 reasons why the OKC Thunder can beat the Rockets

By Dillon Mattox

Jan 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots against Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) in the second half at Toyota Center. Houston Rockets won 118 to 116. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots against Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) in the second half at Toyota Center. Houston Rockets won 118 to 116. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots against Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) in the second half at Toyota Center. Houston Rockets won 118 to 116. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

The OKC Thunder have the ability to surprise in these playoffs. Look for them to make a run and show up to each game swinging.

On Sunday night the OKC Thunder will begin there first ever playoff series without Kevin Durant. The team will not have him on their minds though, instead they will be thinking about another former Thunder player, James Harden. Harden will be leading a Rockets team that is high-flying and not afraid to shot the three ball.

The Rockets finished the regular season as the third seed in the West with a record of 55-27. While many expected the Rockets to have a good season, they were a big surprise. Harden seems to fit in perfectly with the new offense they are running and the team has all kinds of shooters on the floor.

OKC, on the other hand, will have their hands full. They are a young team that has little playoff experience together. The key players on this year’s team that made a run in last year’s playoffs are Russell Westbrook, Andre Roberson, Steven Adams, and Enes Kanter. The team is going to have to find some sort of groove together earlier on or else they will suffer.

MUST READ: Russell Westbrook is the Real MVP of the NBA

Even after everything that has happened, the Thunder should not be overlooked. Yet, OKC  have the keys to some major aspects of their game that can help win playoff series. Here’s five reasons why the Thunder can start off hot and feed off the underdog role.

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