Russell Westbrook Minute Restrictions: Game 6 wasn’t the best performance for Russell Westbrook and the Rockets. Westbrook had 2 crucial turnovers in the clutch time and 1 bad airball.
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Thunder fans would have rejoiced, looking at Russell Westbrook’s final few minutes’ performance in Game 6. Rockets, who held a 3-2 lead in the series looked to bury the series and move on to round 2, but the Thunder had different plans. The largest lead of the game, for either side, was 9 points. There were a few instances where the Rockets looked like they could run with the game, but the Thunder always seemed to claw their way back.
The Thunder rode on Chris Paul’s 28 points, 22 of which came in the second half, and Danilo Gallinari’s 25. Gallinari kept Thunder afloat in the first half and Paul took over in the second half. The story of the game was not the same for the Rockets. They had 22 turnovers, which gave Thunder a chance to stay in the game, and finally, steal the game away.
Also Read: “Lebron applauds Chris Paul for his clutch performance.”
Russell Westbrook, who was playing his second game this offseason, did not look his usual sharp self. He committed 7 out of the 22 Rockets turnovers, 2 of which literally cost Rockets the game.
Is Russell Westbrook playing tonight?
According to the injury report released by Rockets, Russell Westbrook will be taking the court tonight, however, he will be on a 25-30 minutes restriction.
Westbrook had himself revealed after Game 6 that he would be on a restriction for the decider.
Could this mean that Russell’s right quad is beginning to trouble him again? Or are the Rockets not wanting him to rush in a little too quick?
If Westbrook indeed is feeling the heat with respect to his quad, Rockets should ensure that he doesn’t have the ball during the clutch moments in the 4th quarter.
Rockets Thunder Game 7?
The Rockets clash with the Thunder for the final time on Thursday, 3rd September. It is a go big or go home game for both the teams, as the series is tied evenly at 3 apiece. The Rockets would definitely be affected by the minutes restriction on Westbrook, but they would hope that Russell would make his impact in the minutes he plays.
The winner of the Rockets vs Thunder clash meets the Lakers for round 2 of the Western Conference playoffs.
