NBA Free Premium Play 04/21: Houston Rockets @ Oklahoma City Thunder

Houston  at Oklahoma City

NBA - 715 Houston Rockets @ 716 Oklahoma City Thunder Projected Line: Oklahoma City by 7 points I believe Houston will surprise a lot on the first game of this series. Oklahoma City has the tendency of relaxing a bit on their first game of the playoffs and that has happened over the past two seasons against Denver and Dallas. The Thunder have a very stubborn coach, who doesn't adjust to anything and keeps using the same rotations. On this case, Houston's small ball will have a good edge over Oklahoma City's big lineup with Kendrick Perkins being lost on court. The Thunder's starting center should barely play on this series, but with Scott Brooks, we know that Oklahoma City will use their traditional system, lineup and rotations, especially on the first game of a playoff series. A lot of discipline is needed to defend the spread offensive game of the Rockets. However, I expect Oklahoma City to see Russell Westbrook being wild once again on this contest by gambling too much on defense, while forcing jumpers on offense. Therefore, Houston will have a mindset edge on the first game of this series. During the regular season, the Thunder won two of the three games they played against Houston, however those two games were played on a back to back spot for the Rockets, something terrible for Houston, as they depend a lot from their starters, as they lack depth. This time, I expect the Rockets to surprise in here and turn this game into a ballgame. Therefore, I'll be taking Houston tonight. Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 715 Houston Rockets (+11) @ -110 / 1.91 on Betonline