Houston Rockets takes on Oklahoma City Thunder in their third playoffs game of the series in American Basketball League Postseason 2019-20.
Team Preview
Houston Rockets will face Thunder to make it 3-0 in Game 3 of the first round of an Eastern Conference playoff series in the Sunshine State. Rockets are fresh off of two back to back victories and led by 2-0 in the series. After losing the first game 123-108, Thunder dropped the second game by 111-98. Rockets led by 5 points in the first quarter but Thunder bounced back and took the second quarter 29-18 to lead by 6 points after the first half. In the second half, Thunder made so many foul and they couldn’t capitalize their lead. Going into the final quarter, Rockets needed to overcome the 1-point advantage of Thunder and they held Oklahoma City under 100 to win the game.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Thunder with 31 points plus six boards in the loss. James Harden led Rockets with 21 points followed by 37 points in Game 1 while Danuel House netted 19 points plus nine boards. Despite winning the game, Rockets shot 41.8 percent from the floor, including 19 out of 56 from three-point range which was less than Thunder who shot 44.3 percent, including 11 out of 32 from three-point range. Thunder also dominated the rebounds with 48-41 from 13 turnovers. James Harden is contributing 29 points on average and Thunder had no answers. They will play their next two games at home but going 3-0 down in the series would shake their hopes in the postseason.
Possible Starting Lineups
Houston Rockets
James Harden (SG), Eric Gordon (SG), Danuel House Jr. (SF), Robert Covington (PF), P.J. Tucker (C)
Oklahoma City Thunder
Chris Paul (PG), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SG), Lu Dort (SF), Danilo Gallinari (PF), Steven Adams (C)
Key Players
Houston Rockets
James Harden (SG): 29 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists
Jeff Green (PF): 18.5 points, 6.5 rebounds
Eric Gordon (SG): 18 points, 4 rebounds
Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SG): 20 points, 5 rebounds
Danilo Gallinari (PF): 23 points, 4 rebounds
Steven Adams (C): 12.5 points, 11.5 rebounds
