Prizing:

1st Place: $50 Amazon gift card

2nd-5th Place: $10 Starbucks gift card

Overview:

On Sunday, March 26th, the (41-30) Oklahoma City Thunder will be on the road to take on the (49-22) Houston Rockets.

The Crowd:

“The Crowd” is projecting a final score of Rockets 107.3 – Thunder 104.3 with an over/under of 211.5.

Statistics (2016-17 season):

Point differential: Rockets +6.9 (3^rd) > Thunder +1.0 (tied for 10^th)

Points per game: Rockets 115.5 (2^nd) > Thunder 106.9 (11^th)

Points allowed per game: Thunder 105.9 (18^th) > Rockets 108.6 (24^th)

Field Goal Percentage Offense: Rockets 46.3% (9^th) > Thunder 45.4% (16^th)

Three Point Percentage: Rockets 36.2% (tied for 13^th) > Thunder 32.8% (28^th)

Field Goal Percentage Defense: Thunder 45.9% (18^th) > Rockets 46.3% (22^nd)

Turnovers committed per game: Rockets 14.4 (tied for 22^nd) > Thunder 14.6 (25^th)

Turnovers forced per game: Rockets 14.7 (tied for 4^th) > Thunder 13.2 (18^th)

Rebounds per game: Thunder 46.3 (tied for 1^st) > Rockets 44.2 (tied for 9^th)

Assists per game: Rockets 25.3 (2^nd) > Thunder 21.1 (tied for 24^th)

Summary:

Houston is (7-3) in their last ten games while Oklahoma City is (6-4).  The Rockets have dominated this match-up going (7-3) in their last games with the Thunder.  The two leading MVP candidates Russell Westbrook and James Harden will be going head to head.  Houston is (26-9) at home this season whereas Oklahoma City is (14-20) on the road.  The Rockets have a big advantage offensively scoring nearly ten points per game more than Oklahoma City.  The Thunder like to dominate in the paint area but really struggle with perimeter shooting.  The addition of Lou Williams has given the Rockets a much needed scoring punch off their bench.  Houston is great at forcing turnovers and Oklahoma City has lacked ball security all season.  If Houston can score more transition points they should win this game easily.

**LISTEN HERE** to the latest edition of “The Berger Shop” podcast, sponsored by The Crowd’s Line.  This week’s episode features an in-depth discussion talking Showtime Sports Doc on St. Anthony’s Bob Hurley with Brian Dailey.

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