How the Thunder and Rockets match up in the playoffs Nerlens Noel, Darius Bazley,
POINT GUARD
Chris Paul vs. Russell Westbrook
Paul controls the Thunder offense, a luxury he didn't have last year with Houston. He's averaging a career-low 6.7 assists, but he's shooting 48.9% from the floor — a seven-point increase over last season. Westbrook is dealing with a left quad strain and is expected to miss multiple games. After a rough start to the season, Westbrook thrived with his new team in the second half. Edge: Thunder
SHOOTING GUARD
Luguentz Dort vs. James Harden
Dort's name recognition will soar if he can contain Harden to some degree. The undrafted rookie is OKC's go-to perimeter defender, but he's questionable for Game 1 with a right knee sprain. Even if Dort's healthy, Harden is an impossible matchup. The former MVP averaged 34.3 points per game to win his third straight scoring title.
Edge: Rockets
WING Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Danuel House
Gilgeous-Alexander will move back into an off-ball role now that Dennis Schroder has returned. The second-year guard led the Thunder in scoring (19.0) and was second in rebounds (5.9). House was enjoying a bubble breakout before injuring his toe. The 3-and-D wing is shooting 36% from behind the arc on almost six attempts per game.
Edge: Thunder
POWER FORWARD
Danilo Gallinari vs. Robert Covington
Gallinari might be the most consistent player on the Thunder's roster. He's good for 19 points a night. On the other end, the Rockets are likely to expose Gallinari's defense in the pickand-roll. Covington is a tenacious defender who can guard every position, but he's shot just 32% from three since being traded to the Rockets.
Slight edge: Thunder
CENTER
Steven Adams vs. P.J. Tucker
Here's where it gets interesting. Adams is obviously the better traditional center, but the Rockets don't care much for traditional basketball. Tucker leads the NBA in corner 3-pointers, which means Adams will be pulled away from the basket on defense. The Thunder will counter by feeding
Adams in the post to exploit Houston's small-ball lineup. It's a fascinating matchup from a strategic standpoint. The Thunder has yet to face this version of the Rockets. Clint Capela was still on the roster the last time these teams met.
Slight edge: Rockets
PERIMETER BENCH Dennis Schröder, Hamidou Diallo, Abdel Nader vs. Austin Rivers, Eric Gordon, Ben McLemore
Schröder is the top bench scorer in the NBA, but the Thunder's backup guards lean more defense than offense. Rivers, Gordon and McLemore can all score, and they have more playoff experience.
Edge: Rockets
INTERIOR BENCH Mike Muscala vs. Jeff Green, DeMarre Carroll, Bruno Caboclo
Backup bigs might not play a huge role in this series, but Muscala and Bazley can match up with Houston when it goes small. Both like to play on the perimeter, and both can shoot threes. Green is Houston's only backup forward who logs significant minutes. Carroll and Caboclo have played sparingly. Edge: Thunder
COACH
Billy Donovan vs. Mike D'Antoni
D'Antoni ranks fourth among active coaches in wins behind Gregg Popovich, Doc Rivers and Rick Carlisle. He's led the Rockets past the first round in three consecutive seasons. The Thunder has had three straight first-round playoff exits, but Donovan has done his best job to date this season. He's one of three Coach of the Year finalists.
Slight edge: Rockets
Season series
Oct. 28, 116-112 Rockets: Harden scored 40 points, 21 of which came from the free throw line. Westbrook had 21 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists in his first-ever game against the Thunder.
Jan. 9, 113-92 Thunder: Five Thunder players scored at least 15 points in the blowout. Harden shot just 5-of-17 as Westbrook led the Rockets with 34 points in his return to Oklahoma City.
Jan. 20, 112-107 Thunder: Nerlens Noel was out and Steven Adams was injured a minute into the game. The Thunder went small and outscored the Rockets 41-20 in the fourth quarter to overcome a 17-point road deficit. Dort, making his first start, helped limit Harden to 1-of-17 3-point shooting.