https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2020/08/17/game-1-rockets-vs-thunder-how-and-what-to-watch-for/
Game 1, Rockets vs. Thunder: How and what to watch for
August 17, 2020 5:04 pm CT
It seems only fitting for the No. 4 vs. No. 5 matchup in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs to feature two evenly matched teams, all on a neutral court at the NBA's Disney World "bubble" in Florida.
The Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder each finished 44-28 in the 2019-20 season. For the season overall, the Rockets have one of the league's best offenses and a mid-tier defense, while the Thunder have one of the NBA's top defenses and a relatively mediocre offense.
Oklahoma City took two of three in the season series, though all came before Houston's transition to a smaller lineup in late January. In the rubber match of those games on Jan. 20, the Rockets led by 15 points with under seven minutes left before an epic collapse.
Rockets collapse late as Harden ties record for 3-point futility
All-Star guard Chris Paul knows the Rockets well, having played his previous two seasons in Houston before the blockbuster July 2019 trade that sent him to the Thunder in exchange for Russell Westbrook. Westbrook also knows his old team quite well, having played the first 11 seasons of his NBA career in Oklahoma City. (That said, Westbrook will be on the bench to start the series due to a right quad strain.)
There's certainly no shortage of juicy personal storylines.
OKC scouting report:
-AVG offense
-Top 10 D
-bottom 3rd reb team (last 2nd chance pts)
-can be ISO heavy
-bottom 3rd pace (29th fast brk pts)
-best mid-range shooting team
-force lots of non-paint 2's
-allow fewest fast brk pts
-don't foul
-elite in clutch
-elite 3 guard lineup
— Craig Ackerman (@ca_rockets) August 17, 2020
The Thunder offer a balanced scoring attack, with no players averaging 20 points but four exceeding 17 points per game (Paul, guards Dennis Schroder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and forward Danilo Gallinari). Their No. 5 scorer (10.9) and top rebounder (9.3) is bruising center Steven Adams, but it remains to be seen how much he can play against the smaller Rockets and their shooting bigs like P.J. Tucker and Jeff Green.
James Harden: There's nothing personal about facing Chris Paul
The Rockets, on the other hand, are more about individual dominance. At 34.3 points per game, they have the best player of the series in MVP finalist James Harden, who has now won three straight NBA scoring titles. With Westbrook out, Houston's No. 2 scorer to enter the series will be Eric Gordon — who averaged 14.4 points in 28.2 minutes per game. Gordon missed exactly half (36) of Houston's 72 regular-season games due to various leg injuries, though he's said to be healthy now.
Harden points out that #Rockets are No. 1 in pace since entering the bubble. #OneMission
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) August 17, 2020
Gordon will also draw the initial defensive assignment of Paul, though the Rockets often share responsibilities in a switch-heavy defense.
Rockets to give initial Chris Paul assignment to Eric Gordon
In addition to reliable defense, the Rockets are also hoping that their supporting cast can help replace Westbrook's scoring punch. At 27.2 points per game, Westbrook is the NBA's No. 7 overall scorer. To meet that shortfall, Green (12.2), Robert Covington (11.6), Danuel House Jr. (10.5), Ben McLemore (10.1), and Austin Rivers (8.8) are all potential candidates to take on larger scoring and playmaking roles.
With Westbrook out, Rockets want more of Austin Rivers, Eric Gordon
Tuesday's Game 1 between the Rockets and Thunder tips off at 5:30 p.m. Central, with a national broadcast on TNT and a regional version (with Houston announcers) on AT&T SportsNet Southwest. For subscribers, both networks have streaming options on their mobile apps.
Report: Rockets hope Westbrook could play as soon as this weekend
Rockets expect healthy Danuel House Jr., P.J. Tucker for Game 1
Tucker on playing against childhood friend Chris Paul, who was traded from the #Rockets last offseason:
"Knowing him, he wants this bad."