NBA Playoffs: Everything you need to know about Rockets vs Thunder

Predictions

Even if Westbrook does not play a single minute in this series, James Harden will prove to be too much for Oklahoma City to handle. Harden has been arguably the best player in the bubble, performing at the highest level on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

Offensively, Harden is is shooting lights out from deep at 37.8 percent while also always finding ways to create open shots for his teammates. Overall, Harden is averaging 34.1 points, 8.9 assists and 8.3 rebounds per game in Orlando.

Harden is also playing some of the best defense of his career, averaging 2.7 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Not only is Harden creating turnovers but he is also locking down some of the league’s best players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, in the post.

As for the Thunder, they may be without starter Lu Dort, who is one of the team’s better defenders, due to a right knee injury. This will make it more difficult to contain Harden.

Oklahoma City’s offense will struggle to match Houston’s high scoring offense. The Rockets average 7.4 more points per game than the Thunder and it will be difficult for OKC to keep up with Houston offensively over the course of the seven-game series.

The series will be extremely entertaining and the games will come down to the wire, but the Houston Rockets defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in six games due to the reasoning above.