Houston Rockets: 5 must-watch games in December

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Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Dec. 25)

The Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder are a little farther along in their rivalry. These teams are led by former teammates James Harden and Russell Westbrook, two very different players that put up similarly ridiculous stat lines.

Harden and Westbrook are now the leaders of their own teams after playing behind Kevin Durant in Oklahoma City years ago. They’re both trying to prove they can lead a championship caliber team. Harden has had the most success so far, as he has led the Rockets to the Western Conference Finals twice. Russell Westbrook has lost in the first-round twice since Kevin Durant’s departure. Harden and Westbrook have also won the league’s last two MVPs.

Like Houston, the Thunder struggled early in the season, but have since played at a high level. They won 12 of their 15 games in November and are currently ranked No. 1 in the NBA in defensive rating, even though arguably their best perimeter defender, Andre Roberson, has missed the entire season.

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OKC defeated the Rockets 98-80 at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Nov. 8, spoiling Carmelo Anthony‘s return, even with Russell Westbrook out with an injury. The Thunder aren’t the best shooting team in the league, but they prove that defense and grit can still win a lot of ball games. Hopefully the Rockets can get a win at home against the Thunder on Christmas Day. That’s the best present any diehard fan could ask for.