Aim Low For Rockets-Thunder Game 7

It has been one of the more entertaining first-round series in the NBA playoffs – and it’ll come to a close Wednesday as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets face off in Game 7 in the Orlando bubble. Chris Paul scored 15 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter to help the Thunder force a seventh and deciding game with a 104-100 triumph in Game 6. 

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Oddsmakers have been solidly in the Rockets’ corner ahead of Game 7, Sportsbook at Houston -5 and raising that line up a full point in some spots. The total, on the other hand, has dropped from a 222.5 opener down as low as 217.

Oklahoma City News & Notes

If this one’s close late, the Thunder have an ace in the hole. Paul has been the best “clutch” scorer in the league this season, amassing an NBA-high 150 points in games where one team leads by five or fewer points and there are less than five minutes remaining. The OVER on Paul’s point prop is an excellent play given the stakes and his pedigree.

Paul’s prowess aside, the Thunder would stand to benefit greatly from another superb defensive effort like the one they showed in Game 6. Houston shot just 34.1 percent from three-point range while committing a whopping 23 turnovers – and OKC will almost certainly need both of those trends to continue, especially given the sheer number of long-range shots the Rockets attempt.

Houston News & Notes

As strange as it is to say, James Harden won’t be able to push the Rockets into the second round by himself. The reigning NBA scoring champion poured in 32 points in Game 6, but the rest of the starting lineup produced just 53 points. Eric Gordon had a particularly difficult time, shooting just 3-for-12 from the floor en route to a nine-point showing, his worst performance in the bubble.

But Gordon isn’t the only Houston player who needs to sharpen his game for Game 7. Point guard and former Thunder star Russell Westbrook was outstanding in limited minutes in a Game 5 Rockets rout but was careless with the basketball in Game 6, committing a game-high seven turnovers. Westbrook has turned the ball over 26 times in six games in the bubble.

Betting Pick: UNDER 217 (-110)

If you can get this total before it dips further, you should do it. The Thunder showed last time out they have the formula for containing the Rockets’ high-powered offense – and should be able to keep the score reasonable.