Game Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder, riding high on a four-game winning streak and sporting an impressive 19-5 record, will host the Houston Rockets in an intriguing Western Conference clash on Saturday night. While the Thunder have been firing on all cylinders lately, the Rockets have found their groove as well, winning two straight and sitting at a respectable 17-8 on the season.
Over their last five games, the Thunder have been a juggernaut on offense, averaging a blistering 123 points per contest while knocking down shots at a nearly 49 percent clip from the field. Their three-point shooting has been just a shade below 37 percent during this stretch, a marked improvement over their season numbers. Defensively, they've clamped down as well, holding opponents to just over 106 points per game while grabbing almost 50 rebounds as a team.
The Rockets, meanwhile, have been more erratic over their last five, splitting the games at 3-2 while scoring and allowing an even 106.2 points per contest. Their shooting numbers have dipped slightly, hitting just under 44 percent from the floor and hovering around 31 percent from deep. On the glass, they've grabbed 47 boards per game, but turnovers have been an issue with nearly 13 giveaways per night.
While both teams have been formidable over their last 10 and 20 game stretches, the Thunder have separated themselves as a truly elite squad, boasting an 80 percent win rate over those spans. Their offensive firepower, coupled with a stifling defense that's allowing just over 104 points per game, has propelled them to the top of the Western Conference standings. The Rockets, though dangerous, have struggled to find that same consistency, alternating brilliant and underwhelming performances.