The Rockets are coming into this game with a 17-8 record this season and they have been playing very well in their recent games. They have won their last 2 straight as well as 5 of their last 7 games and they just beat the Warriors by 1 point in the last round. Their defense has been great recently as they have held opponents under 100 points in 2 of their last 3 games and they have one of the better defenses in the league this season, averaging 105.9 points allowed per game. They are going up against a Thunder team that is 19-5 this season and they have also been playing very well in their recent games. They have won their last 4 straight as well as 8 of their last 9 games and they beat the Mavericks 118-104 in the last round. The Thunder have also been one of the better teams on defense this season, but they have allowed 100+ points in their last 2 games and the Rockets won the last meeting with the Thunder at the beginning of the month. These two have split their 2 games this season, but the Rockets have the defense to keep this game close with the Thunder and they put on a defensive clinic in their game against the Warriors to shut them out in the final minutes and storm back down 7 points. There is a lot on the line here as well so the Rockets are going to get up for this game and fight right to the end like they did in the last round. The Rockets will cover the spread in this game.