Complete guide to the Thunder, Rockets playoff series

Jan 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) 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) and Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) at Toyota Center. Houston Rockets won 118 to 116 .Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Russell Westbrook
Mar 26, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and OKC Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shake hands after a game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

OKC Thunder. Houston Rockets. Seven games. One series winner.

For those who claim this matchup to be Russell Westbrook vs. James Harden, you need to know one thing: you’re wrong. In this series it’s incredibly possible that Harden could average around 20 points and 8 assists and win while Westbrook averages 38-12-12.

To win this series, Oklahoma City has to stop Harden’s supporting cast; Ryan Anderson, Trevor Ariza, Eric Gordon and Lou Williams cannot get hot. With that being said, if the shots aren’t falling for Houston it’s going to be a tough series to win for the #3 seed out West.

Season series

Houston won the season series 3-1, taking care of the last three games. The Thunder won the first game after Westbrook ended Clint Capela’s basketball life with this dunk:

The next two games were also relatively close, with the Rockets winning when Westbrook couldn’t score enough at the end of the game. In the season finale – the only game with the trade deadline roster additions – Houston smacked around the Thunder to the tune of 137-125. It was not a good look for the OKC Thunder going into this series.

Probable lineups

OKC Thunder

Point Guard: Russell Westbrook

Shooting Guard: Victor Oladipo

Small Forward: Andre Roberson

Power Forward: Taj Gibson

Center: Steven Adams

Key Reserves: Alex Abrines, Semaj Christon, Jerami Grant, Enes Kanter

Houston Rockets

Point Guard: James Harden

Shooting Guard: Patrick Beverley

Small Forward: Trevor Ariza

Power Forward: Ryan Anderson

Center: Clint Capela

Key Reserves: Eric Gordon, Montrezl Harrell, Nene, Lou Williams

*Sam Dekker fractured wrist