NBA Playoffs Round 1: Houston Rockets Blowout Oklahoma City Thunder

James Harden and his Houston Rockets are taking on Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder and we've got your way to watch via live stream at 9pm EST on April, 16. On August 8th, 2017 Russell Westbrook notched his 42nd triple-double of the 2016-17 campaign surpassing Oscar Robertson's 55-year-old single-season record of 41. Head coach Mike D'Antoni has a counter ready for Game 2. He averaged a triple double for the season, and that is absolutely wonderful.

Golden State, aiming to get back to the National Basketball Association finals for a third straight year and regain the crown they surrendered last season to the Cleveland Cavaliers, had 32 points from Kevin Durant in his first playoff game as a Warrior.

Westbrook has admitted before the two don't talk much in season.

Patrick Beverley scored a postseason career high 21 points while Nene chipped in 15 points off the bench for Houston.

As Beverley scrambled to his feet like he was playing a starring role in the next Rocky movie, Andre Roberson splashed home a 3-point shot to cut the Rockets' lead to two. It was a stunning effort on the boards by the Rockets, considering the Thunder led the National Basketball Association in rebounding during the regular season with 1,002 offensive rebounds.

By comparison, he was a monster since Kevin Durant left to join the Golden State Warriors.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder must have been feeling pretty good in the first half of Game 1 but they couldn't find their offense in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter where they were outscored by 29-13. Houston also converted on 12 of 14 second-chance opportunities in the series opener, a big reason for the rout. "I can't really do anything, '" Watt said.

As much as I would to love my hometown hero in Harden to win it all, looking at this sticky situation objectively, there should be Co-MVP award issued to both of these men.

When prodded about what makes Westbrook so good, Harden provided some praise for the fellow point guard. Just a typical play for the heart and soul of this team.

Westbrook acknowledged it will be "cool" to match up against his friend in this best-of-seven series.

"Pat played great, unbelievable", forward Trevor Ariza said. He represents the one outright advantage the Thunder have in their matchup against the Rockets.

The Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder duke it out in Game 2 at the Toyota Center on Wednesday night. It's why he's one of the co-favorites for MVP along with Thunder guard Russell Westbrook. "It was hard", Harden said. We understand that he's one of the most explosive guards in this league. "I really don't know what the criteria is". "It will be fun".

"He does it every game", James Harden said.

"(Adams) is putting pressure on himself to do better", Westbrook said.

"We have versatility. We can go with different lineups and do different things".

It was Clutch City playoff style Sunday as the Rockets cruised to a victory over Oklahoma City. While he's not the triple-double king, Harden still tallied 22 on the year, led the league in assists and double-doubles with 64.

"That's my job, to get those guys easy shots", Westbrook said of his teammates. But in the bar fight of the first half, there was Beverley, throwing his body into his rivals as his teammates look on, in awe of his impossible intensity. That possession-to-point differential of -13 was the worst of anyone in the first round.

Eric Gordon: After his first healthy season in what feels like forever, we get to see Eric Gordon play a pivotal role on a team expected to advance in the playoffs. "We didn't shoot the ball well, but we got into the paint and we finished (at the rim)".

This will be just his second trip to the playoffs after he appeared in just one series with the Pelicans, in 2015.