Preview 33 of 82: Thunder @ Rockets
Time: 2:00 PM CST
TV: ABC
The Oklahoma City Thunder (21-11) are in Houston for a Christmas Day showdown with James Harden and the Rockets (17-15). The Thunder enter as the number three team in the Western Conference and won the first matchup between the teams this season. The slow-starting Rockets have made their way into eighth in the West — but will be without the injured Chris Paul today.
Tip-off is at 2:00 P.M. CST and will be televised nationally on ABC. The game is a pick’em according to Odds Shark.
Injury Report
Thunder
- Andre Roberson: Out — Knee
Rockets
- Chris Paul: Out — Hamstring
- James Ennis: Out — Hamstring
- Carmelo Anthony: Out — Dismissed
Probable Starters
Rockets: James Harden, Eric Gordon, Danuel House, PG Tucker, Clint Capela
Statistics
Advanced
| ORTG | DRTG | NET RTG | PACE | PIE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OKC | 108.1 | 102 | 6.1 | 103.53 | 52.8 |
| HOU | 112.1 | 111.4 | 0.7 | 96.79 | 48.1 |
Four Factors
| Team | EFG | FTA% | TO% | OREB% | OP EFG | OP FTA | OP TO | OP OREB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OKC | 51.0 | 0.271 | 14.6 | 31.4 | 50.8 | 0.261 | 17.6 | 26.2 |
| HOU | 53.2 | 0.281 | 14.8 | 28.9 | 53.1 | 0.297 | 15.0 | 30.6 |
Merry Christmas. Hoops has become part of the annual Christmas tradition in Oklahoma City — a time to gather with those we love and cheer for the destruction of the Thunder’s enemies. On a day that can all-too-easily be derailed by questions about your love life or your uncle’s explanation of why we need a wall on the southern border — it’s always nice to have this one thing we can agree on.
Whether you’re celebrating the holiday or simply enjoying the day off from work, we hope it’s a good one. I’d write an appropriate preview but my mom will slap me if I don’t get off the computer. You understand.
Rob will be in after the game with your recap. Merry Christmas, friends.