KEY POINTS

  • Russell Westbrook returns to OKC
  • Rockets are favored over the Thunder on Thursday
  • The Thunder are putting the NBA on notice

The much-awaited return of Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City happens on Thursday when the Houston Rockets travel all the way into the Chesapeake Energy Arena to face the Thunder. Westbrook opted to rest on Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks, the first of a back-to-back, to prepare himself for his homecoming in OKC – a place he played for 11 seasons.

“Obviously, it’s going to be different, No. 1,” Westbrook said as published by the Houston Chronicle. “But just overall, obviously that place is always going to be special to me because I grew up there. I spent a big part of my career there, met a lot of people there, good organization, great people, nothing but great things come from me being there.”

Thunder:

OKC is putting the league on notice. While the primary storyline of this matchup is Westbrook’s return to the city, the Thunder’s current surge could not be overlooked. The team has won eight of its last 10 games, thanks to exploits of last summer’s free-agent acquisitions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – the player acquired in exchange for Paul George – and Westbrook’s trade match Chris Paul.

Rockets:

All eyes may be on Westbrook in this game, but James Harden will be on business as usual. The 2018 NBA MVP still leads the league in scoring with just about a deuce under 40 points per game. The Rockets are still one of the top three teams of Western Conference and play well on the road.

Odds and Trends:

The Rockets are -2.5 favorites. The total line is pegged at 222.5.

The Rockets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games vs a team with a home winning % of greater than .600 and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

The Thunder are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

Under is 4-1 in Rockets’ last 5 games as a favorite and 6-2 in Thunder’s last 8 overall.

Over is 4-1 in Thunder’s last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

Prediction:

Straight-up: Rockets

ATS: Rockets

Total: Over

Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is ruled out with a right knee injury. In this picture, Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks down in the second half during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 27, 2018. Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images
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