James Harden and Russell Westbrook used to team with Kevin Durant to form a core which was a dynasty in the making. The lofty expectations were never met when the trio played together for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and now Westbrook is the only one left. Harden long ago moved on to the Houston Rockets, and he will return in a key Western Conference clash between the teams.
Houston has a slightly better record but the Thunder get the home court advantage, so this is expected to be a competitive affair. Harden and Westbrook are putting up insane individual numbers and it should be great fun to watch them in action.
At 8 p.m. ET, tune into ESPN for live television coverage of this NBA game on Friday, December 9, 2016, at the Chesapeake Energy Center.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Friday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The Rockets are 14-7 straight up and also 14-7 against the spread this season as they are playing better than forecasted. Houston has covered in 11 of 14 road games this year and will aim to pull the feat once again.
The Thunder are 14-8 straight up and 12-10 against the spread on the season. Many were wondering how they would do after the offseason departure of Durant, and while Oklahoma City isn’t a title contender, it is playing pretty well and is in the playoff hunt. Oklahoma City is 8-5 against the spread at home this season.
Matchup to Watch
Harden vs. Westbrook -- It remains to be seen how much they guard each other, but these will be the two superstars on the court and the one that has the more successful game could very well lead his team to victory.
Harden has been outstanding this season, averaging 28.7 points, 11.6 assists and 7.6 rebounds per game. He had 29 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists in a recent upset win over the Warriors as Houston is looking to move back into the upper stratosphere in the West after a couple of recent down season.
Westbrook is averaging 31.0 points, 11.3 assists and 10.9 rebounds per game and is aiming to average a triple-double this season, which would be an unreal accomplishment. Westbrook has accumulated a triple-double by the end of the third quarter five times this season, which is flat-out ridiculous. The rest of the NBA has only done that one time.
The Thunder have won six straight games as Westbrook is putting the team on his back and helping it dominate.
Player to Watch
Donatas Motiejunas -- It’s been an interesting saga for the Rockets forward, who signed an offer sheet with the Brooklyn Nets earlier this week that was matched by Houston.
Motiejunas didn’t report to the team on Tuesday and this is a situation to keep an eye on. It should be decided in the next day or two whether Motiejunas will join the team in time to play Oklahoma City.
Motiejunas averaged 6.2 points and 2.9 rebounds a season ago and could be a key role player this season, although it seems like this game is too quick for him to make an impact even if he does return to the team.
Free NBA ATS Pick
Houston probably has a little bit better similar cast, but these two teams are similarly constructed in that their fortunes are tied to their star. Harden and Westbrook have both been unbelievable as the lead dog on their team and are in the running for the MVP award.
Harden would love to return to the home of the team that drafted him and put on a show, and he may well do that. However, expect Westbrook to be even better.
Take Oklahoma City to win this one behind the greatness of Westbrook, but it should be an entertaining clash.
NBA Odds: Thunder 117, Rockets 114
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