NBA Betting News and Notes Sunday, April 16th, 2017

NBA Knowledge

Wizards won their last three games with Atlanta, by 3-26-4 points, but teams played only once since late January. Washington is 3-5 in its last eight games overall; three of their last four games stayed under total. Hawks won four of their last five games, under is 6-2 in their last eight road games. Washington is in playoffs for third time in last four years, after a 5-year drought; they won last two first round series. Atlanta is in playoffs for 10th year in row; they’re 5-4 in last nine first round series, winning in first round last two years.

Warriors swept Portland this season, winning four games by 23-45-8-2 points; teams haven’t met since January 29. Golden State won 15 of its last 16 games overall, win 10-3-2 vs spread in last 15 games- over is 5-3 in their last eight. Portland won nine of its last 12 games to get into the playoffs; they covered five of their last six road games. Golden State won NBA title in 2015, lost Finals LY, added Durant last summer. Since 2001, Portland is 2-7 in first round series, with wins coming in last three years (2-1).

Home side won all four Boston-Chicago games this season; Bulls lost here, by 7-20 points. Celtics won nine of their last 12 games; they’re 1-6 vs spread in last seven home games. Bulls won seven of last nine games to sneak into playoffs; their last five games stayed under the total. Boston is in playoffs for ninth time in last 10 years, but their last series win was 2012- they lost last three first round series. Chicago is 83-81 under Hoiberg, missing playoffs LY, barely making it this year- they’re they’re 3-2 in last five first round series.

Houston won three of four games with Oklahoma City this year; three of the four were decided by 3 or less points, with Rockets winning last three. Rockets were just 4-5 in their last nine games (under 6-3). Thunder won four of last six games, with last four staying under the total. Houston is in playoffs for fifth year in row, making Western final two years ago, but since 1998, the Rockets are 2-9 in first round series. Oklahoma City won 8 fewer games this year than last; they won their last five first round series, but without Durant, they’re obviously not as good a team now.

Armadillosports.com

Sunday's Early Tips
By Brian Edwards
VegasInsider.com

Eastern Conference First Round

No. 5 Atlanta at No. 4 Washington

2016-17 Regular Season (Wizards 3-1)
Oct. 27 Wizards at Hawks (-4) 114-99 (Over 202.5)
Nov. 4 Hawks at Wizards (-1.5) 95-92 (Under 205.5)
Jan. 27 Wizards (+3.5) at Hawks 112-86 (Under 214.5)
Mar. 22 Hawks at Wizards (-7.5) 104-100 (Under 215.5)

This is a rematch of the Eastern Conference semifinals two seasons ago, a series won by Atlanta (43-39 straight up, 39-43 against the spread) in six games. This time around, Washington has home-court advantage after finishing fourth in the Eastern Conference. Most books have the Wizards listed as -240 favorites to advance, while the Hawks are +200 underdogs for the series (risk $100 to win $200).

As of late Saturday afternoon, most betting shops had Washington installed as a five-point favorite for Sunday’s Game 1 at Verizon Center. The total was 209, while the Hawks were +185 on the money line (risk $100 to win $185).

Washington (49-33 SU, 42-39 ATS) has posted a 30-11 SU record and a 23-18 ATS mark at home this year.

The Wizards are led by one of The Association’s premier backcourts in point guard John Wall and shooting guard Bradley Beal. Wall is averaging team-highs in scoring (23.1 points per game), assists (10.7 APG) and steals (2.0 SPG). The University of Kentucky product shot at a career-best 45.1 percent clip from the field during the regular seasons. Wall also pulled down 4.2 rebounds per game. Beal is averaging 23.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The fifth-year guard, who helped the Florida Gators get to the Elite Eight during his lone season in the college ranks, also shot at a career-high pace (48.2%) from the field this year. Beal made 40.4 percent of his 3-balls during the regular season and 82.5 percent of his free throws.

Washington center Ian Mahinmi has a left calf strain and isn’t expected to be ready to play for about two weeks. The 30-year-old reserve averages 5.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 0.8 blocked shots per conteState

Washington is third in the NBA in field-goal percentage (47.5%) and fifth in scoring (109.2 points per game).

These teams met four times during the regular season. After Atlanta won a 114-99 decision at Philips Arena on Oct. 27, the Wizards ripped off three straight wins in the head-to-head series. They covered the number in the first two wins, but Atlanta took the money in the final encounter. The Hawks hooked up their backers as 7.5-point underdogs in a 104-100 loss at Washington on March 22. Beal paced the winners with 28 points, nine rebounds and four steals, while Wall produced 22 points, 10 assists, four steals and a pair of steals. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored a team-best 29 points in the losing effort. The University of Michigan product had two steals and three assists without committing a turnover. Hardaway made 9-of-16 shots from the field. Dwight Howard finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds.

Atlanta only has one starter left from the team that eliminated the Wizards en route to the Eastern Conference finals two years ago. First, the Hawks lost DeMarre Carroll in free agency. Next, they traded Jeff Teague and lost Al Horford via free agency. When a mid-season trade was made with Atlanta moving Kyle Korver to Cleveland, there was only Paul Millsap remaining from the starters on that team that finished first in the East by a wide margin and won 60 regular-season games despite resting starters consistently for the last six weeks.

Millsap had another All-Star campaign and appears poised to opt out of his thee-year contract and become an unrestricted free agent this coming offseason. Millsap is averaging 18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.9 blocked shots per game.

Atlanta sent Teague to Indiana to make room for Dennis Schroder, who moved into the starting lineup after averaging in double figures coming off the bench the two previous seasons. Schroder averaged 17.9 points, 6.3 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game in 79 regular-season contests. The trade to the Pacers brought back a first-round pick that was used on Taurean Prince, a small forward who averaged 5.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game as a rookie.

Atlanta inked Dwight Howard in free agency last summer and re-signed Kent Bazemore to a lucrative $70 million deal. Howard averaged 13.5 points, 12.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots per game. Bazemore averaged 11.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He hit only 40.9 percent of his shots from the field and 34.6 percent from downtown.

The big development for the Hawks this year was the emergence of Hardaway. He averaged 14.5 PPG, draining 45.5 percent of his field-goal attempts. Hardaway has been particularly hot of late, scoring 23, 22 and 21 points in a crucial three-game stretch that included wins over Cleveland (twice) and Boston.

Atlanta held on to the fifth seed thanks to a four-game winning streak that included the three aforementioned victories and a 103-76 beatdown of Charlotte that sealed up the No. 5 spot in the EaState This became huge when Boston edged the Cavs for the East’s top slot. Now the winner of this series won’t have to face the defending champs in the East semifinals.

Mike Budenholzer’s squad went 20-21 SU and 22-19 ATS in its regular-season road assignments.

Atlanta owns a 6-1 spread record with three outright victories in its last seven games as an underdog.

The ‘over’ has been a monster money maker for the Wizards, cashing at 51-31 overall clip. The ‘over’ is 25-16 in their home outings. With that said, Washington saw the ‘under’ prevail in three of its last four regular-season contests.

The ‘under’ went 48-32-2 overall for the Hawks during the regular season, going 25-14-2 in their road games. Since Feb. 13, the ‘under’ is on a 19-8-1 roll in Atlanta games.

The ‘over’ hit in Atlanta’s win over the Wizards (114-99) in October, but the ‘under’ cashed in the next three head-to-head encounters.

Western Conference First Round

No. 8 Portland at No. 1 Golden State

2016-17 Regular Season (Warriors 4-0)
Nov. 1 Warriors (-5) at Blazers 127-104 (Over 225.5)
Dec. 17 Blazers at Warriors (-14) 135-90 (Under 234)
Jan. 4 Blazers at Warriors (-16) 125-117 (Over 222)
Jan. 29 Warriors (-6) at Blazers 113-111 (Under 224.5)

This is a rematch of last year’s West semifinals won by Golden State in five games. However, the series was much closer than the five-game length suggests. In fact, Portland went to halftime with the lead in all five games of the series. After Portland won Game 3 by double digits, it trailed 2-1 going into Game 4 at home. The Trail Blazers led by 10 at intermission, only to eventually lose 132-125 in overtime. Then in Game 5, the Warriors overcame a five-point halftime deficit to win a 125-121 decision thanks to a 33-point effort from Klay Thompson, who buried 13-of-17 FGs and 6-of-9 launches from 3-point land.

As of late Saturday afternoon, most books had Golden State (67-15 SU, 40-39-3 ATS) listed as a 14.5-point ‘chalk’ with a total of 220. The Trail Blazers were +1200 on the money line (risk $100 to win $1,200). For first-half wagers, the Warriors were favored by 8.5 points with a 108-point tally.

Golden State is the -7000 favorite to win the series. Gamblers can earn a 20/1 payout by backing the Trail Blazers to pull a shocking upset and advance to the West semifinals.

Steve Kerr’s team beat Portland in all four regular-season meetings, but the Trail Blazers took the cash in the last two encounters. When these clubs squared off on Jan. 29 at Moda Center, Golden State captured a 113-111 win but the Trail Blazers covered the spread as six-point home underdogs. Kevin Durant coughed up seven turnovers, but he scored 33 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and dished out six assists. Thompson added 27 points, while Zaza Pachulia tallied 12 points, two steals, three rebounds and five assists without a turnover. C.J. McCollum finished with 28 points, seven boards and three assists in the losing effort. Damian Lillard finished with 19 points and eight assists.

Golden State has compiled a 36-5 SU record and a 21-18-2 ATS ledger in its home games.

Golden State is ranked No. 1 in the NBA in scoring (115.9 PPG), FG percentage (49.5%), FG percentage defense (43.5%) and defending the 3-point line (32.4%).

Golden State forward Draymond Green (10.2 PPG, 7.9 RPG) averages team-highs in assists (7.0 APG), steals (2.0 SPG) and blocked shots (1.4 BPG). Steph Curry is averaging a team-best 25.3 PPG while shooting at a 46.8 percent clip from the field and 41.1 percent from 3-point range. Curry also averages 6.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Kevin Durant, the prized free-agent score for the team that’s looking to go to the NBA Finals for a third straight season, averages 25.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.6 blocked shots and 1.1 steals per game. Thompson is scoring at a 22.3 PPG clip.

Portland (41-41 SU, 40-42 ATS) has limped to a 16-25 SU record and a 18-23 ATS mark in its road games. The Trail Blazers have been double-digit underdogs eight times this season, going 4-4 ATS with a pair of outright victories.

Since the start of March, Portland has played its best basketball by posting a 17-6 record both SU and ATS.

Portland is led by one of the league’s best backcourts with Lillard and McCollum. Lillard enjoyed another stellar campaign, averaging 27.0 points, 5.9 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, McCollum averages 23.0 points, 3.6 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game. Lillard (89.5%) and McCollum (91.2%) are two of The Association’s best FT shooters.

Portland is thin on the interior after losing Festus Ezeli and Ed Davis (4.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG) to season-ending injuries. Also, center Jusuf Nurkic is listed as ‘doubtful’ for Game 1 due to a leg injury. Nurkic is averaging 15.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.9 blocked shots and 1.2 steals per game.

Golden State veteran reserve forward Matt Barnes is ‘out’ indefinitely with an ankle injury. In 20 games with the Warriors, Barnes averaged 5.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

The ‘over’ is 44-37-1 overall for the Trail Blazers, 22-19 in their road outings.

The ‘under’ is 50-32 overall for the Warriors, 22-19 in their home games.

The totals were a wash (2-2) in this year’s four head-to-head meetings, but the ‘over’ is 7-3 in the last 10 encounters dating back to last season.

Sunday's Late Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com

Eastern Conference First Round

No. 8 Chicago at No. 1 Boston

2016-17 Regular Season (Tied 2-2)
Oct. 27 Celtics at Bulls (-1) 105-99 (Under 209)
Nov. 2 Bulls at Celtics (-3) 107-100 (Under 207.5)
Feb. 16 Celtics at Bulls (+1) 104-103 (Under 214)
Mar. 12 Bulls at Celtics (-7.5) 100-80 (Under 208)

Boston has made terrific strides under head coach Brad Stevens, going from 25 wins in first season back in 2014 to 53 victories this season and the first Atlantic division title since 2012. The Celtics staved off the defending champion Cavaliers for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, while winning conference-best 36 games.

The C’s received some tough news on Saturday as All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas’ sister died in a car accident outside of his hometown of Seattle. Thomas is expected to suit up for Game 1 against Chicago, as the diminutive guard averaged a career-high 28.9 points per game, which ranked third in the league behind Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook and Houston’s James Harden.

The Bulls are back in the postseason following a hiatus in 2016 as Fred Hoiberg’s squad finished 41-41. Coincidentally, Chicago missed out on the playoffs last season with a better record (42-40), but the Bulls won seven of their final nine games and owned the tiebreaker with the Heat to clinch the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Chicago suffered through plenty of drama this season with the departure of longtime point guard Derrick Rose to New York and the arrivals of veterans Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo. The Bulls were paced by Jimmy Butler’s 23.9 ppg, while Wade put up 18.3 ppg in 60 games as he missed 11 contests down the stretch with an elbow injury.

The Celtics regained their home-court advantage in Beantown by compiling a 30-11 mark at TD Garden. However, Boston struggled to cash numbers at home by posting a 17-24 ATS mark, including a 1-6 ATS ledger in the final seven games. Chicago put together a 16-25 record away from the United Center for the second consecutive season, but the Bulls covered each of their last five games in the role of a road underdog, including victories at Milwaukee and Charlotte.

The home team won all four meetings this season, while Boston has captured each of the past four matchups at TD Garden since December 2015. After Chicago held off Boston in its first meeting in October, the Celtics picked up revenge one week later at TD Garden, 107-100 as three-point favorites. The Bulls edged the Celtics prior to the All-Star break in the Windy City, 104-103, while Boston grabbed the season split with a 100-80 drubbing in mid-March as the Bulls were held to 26 first half points.

At Sportsbook.ag, the Celtics opened up as -420 favorites (Bet $420 to win $100) to advance to the second round, while the Bulls are a hefty +330 underdog to move forward in the playoffs. Under Stevens, the Celtics have failed to advance past the first round after getting knocked out by the Cavaliers in 2015 and the Hawks in 2016. Boston is facing Chicago in the playoffs for the first time since the 2009 quarterfinals when the Bulls outlasted the Celtics, 4-3.

Western Conference First Round

No. 6 Oklahoma City at No. 3 Houston

2016-17 Regular Season (Rockets 3-1)
Nov. 16 Rockets at Thunder (-2.5) 105-103 (Under 218 )
Dec. 9 Rockets (-1.5) at Thunder 102-99 (Under 224)
Jan. 5 Thunder at Rockets (-8 ) 118-116 (Over 227)
Mar. 26 Thunder at Rockets (-6) 137-125 (Over 230.5)

The expectations are high for the Rockets this postseason after winning at least 50 games for the third time in the last four seasons. In Mike D’Antoni’s first season as head coach, Houston bombed away from three-point range by converting a league-high 14.4 treys a game, while averaging 115.3 points per game, which ranked second in the NBA behind Golden State (115.9 ppg).

The Rockets have been eliminated by the Warriors in each of the past two postseasons, including getting knocked out in five games of the first round in 2016. James Harden led Houston to a 55-27 record, which was actually better than the top seed in the East, Boston and defending champion Cleveland. Harden averaged 29.1 ppg and a league-best 11.2 assists per contest, while six Rockets averaged double-figure scoring this season.

Oklahoma City was on the doorstep of the NBA Finals after grabbing a 3-1 series lead over Golden State in the Western Conference Finals last season. The Thunder melted down in the final three games as the Warriors knocked out OKC and that began the divorce between Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Durant dipped to the Bay Area and helped lead already-loaded Golden State to the best record in the league.

However, Westbrook became a one-man show in Oklahoma City and shattered box scores on a nightly basis by compiling a triple-double average with 31.6 ppg, 10.7 rebounds per game, and 10.4 assists per contest. The Thunder managed a 47-35 record in spite of KD’s departure, while finishing tied for third in the league with the Raptors by covering the spread 45 times.

OKC held off Houston in their first meeting in mid-November, 105-103, but the Rockets picked up a late cover as 2 ½-point underdogs thanks to an Eric Gordon three-pointer. The Rockets went on to win the final three matchups, as three of four meetings were decided by three points or less. In the final contest at the Toyota Center in late March, the Rockets dropped 79 first half points in a 137-125 triumph as Houston shot a sizzling 63% from the floor, while nailing 20 three-pointers.

Houston dominated on its home floor by winning 30 of 41 games at the Toyota Center, but posted an 18-23 ATS mark at home. Billy Donovan's Thunder struggled as a road underdog by compiling a 7-17 SU and 9-15 ATS ledger, although the Thunder won in its final two opportunities in this role at Denver and Minnesota to close the season.

The Rockets start this series as -380 favorites to move past the first round at Sportsbook.ag. Oklahoma City sits at +300 to advance as the Thunder have reached the second round in five of the past six seasons. The last time these teams hooked up in the playoffs, the Thunder knocked out the Rockets in six games of the first round back in 2013.

Sunday’s NBA Playoffs Betting Preview
Covers.com

Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards (-5, 211)

ABOUT THE HAWKS (43-39 SU, 39-43 ATS, 32-48-2 O/U): Atlanta won four straight in impressive fashion before falling in the regular-season finale while resting most of the its key players. The last time the full squad took the floor it put together one of its biggest wins of the campaign, a 103-76 drubbing of the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday. Center Dwight Howard, who will be playing in his 90th career playoff game on Tuesday, recorded a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds in the win and enters the postseason averaging a double-double at 13.5 points and 12.7 boards.

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (49-33 SU, 42-39-1 ATS, 51-31 O/U): Washington brushed off the slow finish to its season and is looking for a little revenge after losing to the Hawks in the Eastern Conference semifinals two years ago. "We're one of eight teams that have a chance to advance and we’re excited about the opportunity," Wizards coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "I’m looking forward to seeing how we’ll play, and I’m very confident with how we’re going to play. I know we’re going to play with great effort." Brooks doesn't need to worry about effort from Wall, who posted career highs in points (23.1), assists (10.7), steals (2.0) and field goal percentage (45.1) in the regular season.

LINE HISTORY: The Wizards opened as 5 point home favorites against the Hawks and the line hasn’t moved off the opening number. The total hit the betting board at 210, was quickly bet up to 211 and has since faded back to 210.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Hawks - C Dwight Howard (Probable, back)

Wizards - PG John Wall (Probable, quadricep), C Ian Mahinmi (Late April, calf)

TRENDS:

* Hawks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Wizards are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Under is 6-1 in Hawks last 7 games following a ATS loss.
* Under is 4-1 in Wizards last 5 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Washington.

Portland Trail Blazers at Golden State Warriors (-14.5, 222.5)

ABOUT THE BLAZERS (41-41 SU, 40-42 ATS, 44-37-1 O/U): While Damian Lillard was the star of Portland's surge down the stretch, center Jusuf Nurkic was a key piece and helped jumpstart the team after being acquired from the Nuggets. Nurkic, who averaged 15.2 points and 10.4 rebounds in 20 games with the team, sat out the final seven games with a nondisplaced fracture in his right leg, and his return for the postseason is undetermined, according to head coach Terry Stotts. "If it’s up to me, I play right now," Nurkic told reporters. "I do my part and I feel better. I make great progress the last couple of days but I’m not there yet, so we're still waiting on that right now. Undecided."

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (67-15 SU, 40-39-3 ATS, 32-50-0 O/U): Kevin Durant averaged 29.3 points on 60 percent shooting in four games during the regular season against Portland - all Golden State wins. He also did not show any sign of being hampered by the knee injury while scoring 29 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range, in the regular season finale against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Warriors developed a solid chemistry prior to Durant's injury and are hoping to find that again in the playoffs while hanging onto the increased production that Stephen Curry enjoyed with his fellow former MVP sidelined.

LINE HISTORY: The defending Western Conference champion Warriors opened as 13.5 point home chalk over the Blazers and that number wasn’t high enough for bettors and he been bet up to 14.5. The total hit the betting board at 223 and has been dropped half point to 222.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Blazers - PG Damian Lillard (Probable, foot), SG Allen Crabbe (Probable, foot), C Jusuf Nurkic (Questionable, leg), SG C.J. McCollum (Questionable, hand), C Festus Ezeli (Out for season, knee), PF Ed Davis (Out for season, shoulder)

Warriors - C Zaza Pachulia (Probable, knee), SF Kevon Looney (Questionable, hip), SF Matt Barnes (Doubtful, ankle)

TRENDS:

* Trail Blazers are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games overall.
* Warriors are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games overall.
* Over is 12-3 in Trail Blazers last 15 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Over is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics (-7.5, 207.5)

ABOUT THE BULLS (41-41 SU, 42-40 ATS, 32-49-1 O/U): Rajon Rondo came off the bench for much of the season but re-entered the starting lineup in the final month and looked - at times - to be his old self, averaging 12.5 points, 8.8 assists and 8.5 rebounds over his final six games. Veteran star Dwyane Wade returned late in the season from en elbow injury while All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler finished with career highs in scoring (23.9), rebounding (6.2) and assists (5.5), and he is excited to help slow down Thomas. "I look forward to that matchup, especially what he's done this year for that team. I know it's going to come at some point," Butler told reporters of the potential matchup. "I'm going to make it tough for him. ... I'm going to get beat at times, and I'm going to need guys to be there."

ABOUT THE CELTICS (53-29 SU, 40-40-2 ATS, 39-39-4 O/U): Isaiah Thomas averaged 24.8 points while shooting 53.8 percent against the Bulls - his highest percentage against any Eastern Conference opponent - as Boston gained a four-game season series split. Fellow guard Avery Bradley had his best season with averages of 16.3 points and 6.1 rebounds, although he missed 27 games, while center Al Horford had a dip in many statistical categories in his first season with the Celtics but brings loads of playoff experience after appearing in 74 postseason games with Atlanta. "He's been really important to my success," Thomas said of Horford. "I remember earlier in the year he told me like, 'I'm here to make things easier for you. You're gonna lead this team and I'm gonna make things as easy as possible.' He's been exactly what he said since Day 1."

LINE HISTORY: The top-seed in the Eastern Conference Celtics opened as 7.5 point home favorites against the Bulls and that number has yet to move. The total hit the betting board at 205.5 and has been bet up two full points to 207.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Bulls - No injuries to report

Celtics - SG Avery Bradley (Probable, hand)

TRENDS:

* Bulls are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Celtics are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games.
* Under is 5-0 in Bulls last 5 overall.
* Under is 6-1-1 in Celtics last 8 vs. NBA Central.
* Home team is 7-0 ATS in the last 7 meetings.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets (-7, 228 )

ABOUT THE THUNDER (47-35 SU, 45-36-1 ATS, 37-44-1 O/U): Russell Westbrook led the NBA in scoring (31.6), ranked third in assists (10.4) and was 10th in rebounding (10.7) to join Oscar Robertson (1961-62) as the lone players to average a triple-double over an entire season. His superb performances equated to victories as the club was a stellar 33-9 in his triple-doubles and coach Billy Donovan expects his star to rub off on his teammates in the postseason. "I think he's excited from a leadership role to try to help guys that don't have that kind of experience, haven't been through it or are going through it for the first time," Donovan told reporters. "I think he'll be the same as he always is. As the season's gone on, I really haven't seen a whole lot of change in Russell from the first day of training camp to now."

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (55-27 SU, 42-40 ATS, 41-40-1 O/U): James Harden finished second in scoring (29.1), led the NBA in assists (11.2) and averaged 8.1 rebounds during the regular season and he is eager to compete with the tenacious Westbrook. "He brings it every night," Harden said of Westbrook. "Definitely a team game. Stats don't matter. You have to go out there and try to get as many wins, first one to four. I just want to win." Houston set an NBA record with 1,181 3-point baskets -- an average of 14.4 per game -- with Harden (262), backup shooting guard Eric Gordon (246) and forward Ryan Anderson (205) all over 200 and forward Trevor Ariza (190) not far off the pace.

LINE HISTORY: The Rockets opened as 7-point home favorites against the Thunder and that line briefly went up to 7.5, before returning to the opening number. The total hit the betting board at 228.5 and has been lowered a half point to an even 228.

INJURY REPORT:

Thunder - SF Doug McDermott (Questionable, knee)

Rockets - SF Sam Dekker (Early May, hand)

TRENDS:

* Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
* Rockets are 0-9 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
* Under is 6-1 in Thunder last 7 games following a ATS loss.
* Under is 6-1 in Rockets last 7 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
* Thunder are 1-9 ATS in the last 10 meetings.