Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction, 8/22/2020 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2020

Location: The Field House in Orlando, Florida

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -2.5

Total/Over-Under: 224

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Houston Rockets at The Field House on Saturday in Game 3 of their series. Houston opens this contest as 2.5-point favorites. The O/U is set at 224.

The Rockets took a 2-0 series lead after winning Game 2 by a score of 111-98. James Harden paced Houston with 21 pts, 5 boards, and 9 assists. Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC with 31 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 dimes.

The Rockets cover the spread 47.3% of the time, having gone 35-39-0 ATS. Oklahoma City covers the spread 59.5% of the time, going 44-30-0 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

08/14/20 PG Russell Westbrook Quad is out indefinitely
07/21/20 SF Thabo Sefolosha Personal is out for season

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Robert Covington averages 12.4 points per game in 30.5 minutes per contest. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 6.6 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 42% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%. James Harden comes into this contest averaging 34.3 points per game while playing 36.5 minutes per night. He pulls down 6.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is at 87%.

Player Spotlight

Steven Adams averages 10.9 points per game and he sees the court an average of 26.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 9.3 rebounds per contest and 2.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 59% and his free throw percentage is 58%. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averages 19.0 points per game while playing 34.7 minutes per contest. He grabs 5.9 rebounds per game and has 3.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets allow 114.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 7th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.9 rebounds a game which ranks 30th, and they give up 25.3 assists per contest which puts them in 23rd place in the league. They force 16.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 28th in the league. Houston averages 117.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.0 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 44.3 rebounds per game and 21.6 assists per contest, which ranks them 18th and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 16th with 14.7 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Thunder surrender 108.4 points per contest, which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 3rd in those defensive statistics. They rank 5th with 23.0 assists allowed per contest, and 13th with 44.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Thunder are 13th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.2 per game. Oklahoma City is 21st in the league with 110.4 points per game this year. They are 10th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 2.0. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They are 23rd in the league in rebounding with 42.9 boards per game and 28th in assists per contest with 21.7. The Thunder are 25th in turnovers per game with 13.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 6th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.9, and their defensive rating of 110.1 is ranked 14th. In terms of pace they are 2nd in the league with 103.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 7th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 17th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Oklahoma City is 22nd in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 22nd in the NBA. The Thunder are 16th in the league in defensive rating with 108.8, and their offensive rating of 110.8 is ranked 7th. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 98.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 18th. As a unit they are 9th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 25th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Rockets/Thunder NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Houston -2.5

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