Houston @ Oklahoma City preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 28, 2019 ) Oklahoma City 112, Houston 116

Houston point guard Russell Westbrook returns to Oklahoma City for the first time as a visiting player when the Rockets face the Thunder on Thursday. Westbrook was an eight-time All-Star in 11 seasons with Oklahoma City and won NBA MVP honors for his superb 2016-17 season that included a record 42 triple-doubles.

The reloading Thunder traded Westbrook to the Rockets in the offseason for a package that included point guard Chris Paul and the organization plans to welcome him back with a video tribute - the first time it has done that or a former player. "Obviously, it's going to be different," Westbrook told reporters of his return. "But just overall, obviously that place is always going to be special to me because I grew up there. I spent a big part of my career there, met a lot of people there, good organization, great people, nothing but great things come from me being there." Oklahoma City has been playing well without Westbrook and has won 10 of its last 12 games as it enters a two-game homestand against the Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Thunder outscored the host Brooklyn Nets 10-2 in overtime Tuesday to post a 111-103 road triumph.

TIME: 9:30 p.m. ET. TV: AT&T SportsNet Southwest, TSN5

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (25-11): Westbrook was held out for rest on the front end of a road back-to-back as Houston beat the Atlanta Hawks 122-115 on Wednesday and he made it clear that there won't be any joking around or friendly talk with his ex-teammates once the ball is tipped off. "This is how it goes - when I hoop, I have no friends," Westbrook told reporters. "They know not to talk to me. Steven (Adams) is a real close friend of mine, but inside those lines, there's no friends." Star guard James Harden had another huge game Wednesday as he recorded 41 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his 15th career 40-point triple-double - second all-time behind Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson's 22.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (21-16): Paul scored 28 points against Brooklyn - his best output since a 30-point showing against the Chicago Bulls on Dec. 16 - and had the hot hand while scoring 16 points in the fourth quarter and four more in overtime. "He's been doing it all year, especially at the end of games," Oklahoma City forward Abdel Nader told reporters afterward. "He's been a hell of a closer for us and we trust him 100 percent. He's one of the main reasons why we're doing well like we are right now." Adams collected a season-high 18 rebounds against Brooklyn and is averaging 16.3 over the past three games, raising his season number to 10.3.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Harden scored 40 points as the Rockets defeated the visiting Thunder 116-112 on Oct. 28.

2. Oklahoma City F Danilo Gallinari (calf) will miss his second straight game.

3. Houston C Clint Capela had 22 points and 22 rebounds against Atlanta for his fourth 20-20 performance of the season.

PREDICTION: Rockets 123, Thunder 115