With playoff games right around the corner this Friday, basketball fans everywhere are excited to watch how their star players come up big in clutch situations. Of particular interest has been Russell Westbrook, who has had a hand in all but one of his 12 teams’ victories over the Thunder. Moreover, Donovan Mitchell’s ability to score super efficiently on high volume is more important than ever this year, with injuries to both Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen.
One player who has regularly shredded his former team has been Russell Westbrook. In their past five meetings, he is averaging 17.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game against them. He had a huge effect in all four of those five games. He tallied over 20 combined points and boards at least 20 times, showing off skills on both ends of the court. When Westbrook participates in playoff games, he has notched at least 18 total points and rebounds in all seven games where he played a minimum of 10 minutes. This includes five games in which he played 27 or more minutes, a testament to his essential presence during the biggest moments.
In the other direction, perhaps the most consistent Player to Watch has been André Snellings. He has averaged 17.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game during that five-game stretch. In each of those contests, he’s shot the over on at least 20 combined points and rebounds easily. His scoring touch makes his team a much tougher opponent and boosts their chances of making a deep playoff run.
It’s no coincidence that Donovan Mitchell has become the face of his team’s renaissance. Even more so when you consider the recent carnage to his roster. He’s scored 31 or more points in each of the last three games against the Pacers. On top of that, he’s been on a scoring tear, with an average of 30+ points over four of the six playoff games this year. Mitchell has truly stepped up big time with three other high-impact teammates sidelined by injuries. He has already racked up a remarkable 81 points during the first two games of the series alone.
We know this because the player availability situation is extremely dynamic. A few of the most important players are currently categorized as Game-Time Decisions (GTD). His backcourt mate Darius Garland is in the midst of a toe injury. At the same time, De’Andre Hunter is recovering from a thumb injury and Evan Mobley has been battling an ankle issue. In addition to Toppin being out, Isaiah Jackson will be out with an Achilles injury. How these players fare will play a key role in determining their teams’ playoff outlooks and championship aspirations.
The prop line for Russell Westbrook’s combined total of points and rebounds has increased by a full point. It’s currently sitting at 16.5 P+R for Games 1 and 2. This change mirrors the pressure on Westbrook to perform at a high level in this key playoff series.
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