It's not that I think Houston and Oklahoma City aren't going to score a lot of points. But a lot has to go right offensively for these teams to combine to reach a total this high. It didn't happen when they first met this season with the Rockets winning, 110-105, on Nov. 2.

In fact, rarely have these teams gone over when meeting. The under has cashed 10 of the past 14 times in the series, including six of the last seven times in Oklahoma City.

Houston's defense should be better with Dwight Howard patrolling the middle again after returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him for three games. The Thunder's offense may be off playing for the fourth time in six days and being home for the first time in a week following a four-game road trip.

Oklahoma City should have great defensive motivation after giving up 120 points or more in back-to-back games for the first time since 2009. The Thunder are justifiably getting ripped for this - and it's also a factor in the oddsmaker assigning such a high total. The Thunder's interior defense is better with big man Steven Adams back healthy and prepared to log big minutes again.