Another must-win game is on the line as the OKC Thunder suit up for Game 4 of the Rockets series trailing 1-2. Here’s everything you need to know.
The situation for OKC Thunder fans improved dramatically on Saturday as the team finally broke through with a victory in the series versus the Rockets. It doesn’t mean the club is out of the woods because they’d prefer to be leading. Another win and the series will be even and everything will shift to a best of three. Lose and the Rockets will take a decided advantage by going up 3-1.
The Thunder never seem to do things the easy way. Even though this club has provided some of the most entertaining basketball in franchise history they seem to enjoy taking the tough route to get those W’s. Granted, this team plays better when their backs are against the wall which is where they began Game 3 and will once more in Game 4.
From a personnel standpoint, the trio of point guards was far more successful and there aren’t enough superlatives to define what DORTfense did for the OKC Thunder. An errant CP3 elbow got the Rockets up in arms and is adding fuel to this rivalry which could heat up exponentially with a Thunder win today.
Following the games, Thunderous Intentions offered player grades and three takeaways.
Game 1: click here for grades | click here for three takeaways.
Game 2: click here for grades | click here for three takeaways.
Game 3: click here for grades | click here for three takeaways.
Below are the key details for what you need to know entering the match.
Everything you need to know about OKC Thunder – Rockets Game 2:
Injuries:
Houston Rockets:
Russell Westbrook hasn’t played for the last five games including all three in the series. No updates were forthcoming and he hasn’t played full contact with a full lineup in practice so it’s not anticipated he’ll play Monday.
As we’ve noted prior there is no need to rush him back. Houston still holds the edge in the series so it’s unlikely the team will entertain expediting his return, at least not at this stage.
OKC Thunder:
Luguentz Dort returned for Game 2 immediately putting his stamp on the series and looked like his typical self in Game 3.
However, now Steven Adams is questionable after suffering a knee contusion late in game three. Making his absence more dramatic is Billy Donovan imployed four guards with Gallo and that group worked arguably better than the typical ‘clutch time killer’ unit.
Odds predictions:
Despite the OKC Thunder victory over the Rockets on Saturday, the oddsmakers continue to favor the Rockets. In Game 4, the spread is 3.5 points for the Rockets meaning they would have to win by four points to cover the spread.
The over/under is lower than the last game at 219 while the best money lines are similar to Game 3. For the Thunder, the best money line is plus 140 and the Rockets is minus 148.
Reading between the lines the fact the oddsmakers have lowered the over/under by five points likely is because they expect a more intense defensive battle. The Thunder won 119-107 in overtime, but the score was 104-104 (cumulative 208) heading into the extra frame.
Game specifics:
Houston Rockets Record/Seed: 44-28 – fourth seed, in West due to winning Southwest Division.
OKC Thunder Record/Seed: 44-28, the fifth seed in the West
Series: The Rockets won Games 1 and 2, while the OKC Thunder won Game 3 in overtime.
The Venue: Walt Disney World Resort. AdventHealth Arena.
Tipoff: 6:00 PM ET | 5:00 PM CT
National TV: TNT | NBA League Pass
Local TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma
Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC
History:
In their three regular-season meetings the OKC Thunder won two of three contests.
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
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- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
At the time of the games however it was prior to the trade deadline so Clint Capella was still with the Rockets. Robert Covington and Jeff Green had not been added to the club yet and the full investment into small-ball hadn’t started yet.
In the postseason the teams have met twice with each franchise winning once.
The most famous of those two occurrences was 2013 when Patrick Beverley was with Houston and caused the torn meniscus of Russell Westbrook on a dirty (in my opinion) play. Although Kevin Durant carried the team to beat James Harden’s group without Westbrook the shot at a title run wasn’t feasible.
In 2017, the teams met again with Harden’s side winning this time while Russ tried to singlehandedly carry the OKC Thunder on his back.
Let’s get a win Thunder Nation and even this series up! Check back post-game for player grades and takeaways.