Preview: Steven Adams' Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets

With the NBA's lengthy regular season having come to its conclusion the basketball world's collective attention now shifts towards the playoffs – and for Kiwi Steven Adams' Oklahoma City Thunder that means a first round series against the resurgent Houston Rockets starting Monday (NZ Time). 

It's been an eventful season for the Thunder, who responded to the earth-shattering loss of one of the game's best players in Kevin Durant by essentially turning to their talisman Russell Westbrook, shrugging their shoulders, and clearing out of the way.

The results have been a show-stopping whirlwind of athleticism and sheer determination, with Westbrook willing his side to some improbable wins with his unique brand of relentless on-court assault and historic numbers.

The team surpassed expectations on its way to a final record of 47 wins and 35 losses, conceding just eight more losses than it had the previous year  to clinch the sixth seed in the Western Conference, a remarkable achievement when you consider the chasm Durant's departure left.

However it's under the searing spotlight of the playoffs where legacies are truly forged, and the Thunder find themselves facing the hugely daunting task of overcoming the firepower of the Houston Rockets across the course of a seven-game series – and without homecourt advantage.

It shapes as one of the most intriguing match-ups of the entire first round across both conferences, pitting the two leading candidates for the league's MVP award in Westbrook and James Harden against one another in what should be a breathless affair.

The Texans themselves have blown a lot of pre-season predictions out of the water, with the widely criticised hire of offensive mastermind coach Mike D'Antoni ultimately proving just the antidote.

D'Antoni shifted Harden to the point guard position and his marquee player responded by conducting a symphony on offense, with off-season signings Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon the key beneficiaries as he led the league in assists and the franchise finished second in points-per-game.

James Harden has been unstoppable for the Rockets in 2016/17. (Getty file)
James Harden has been unstoppable for the Rockets in 2016/17. (Getty file)

The Rockets offense is a behemoth to overcome, and this is where they will have a significant edge on the Thunder.

Both Harden and Westbrook spend inordinate amounts of time on-court with the ball in their hands and are capable of creating their own shot, and/or getting to the rim at any moment.

The key difference is that Harden has a much more capable supporting cast ready on the perimeter awaiting the multiple open looks he's inevitably going to serve up.

Ryan Anderson and sixth man of the year candidate Eric Gordon both shoot above the 40% mark, and the Rockets averaging a staggering 40.3 attempts per game from beyond the arc, which is comfortably the most in the league.

In contrast, the Thunder attack is much more reliant on Westbrook getting into to the paint and creating opportunities for big men the likes of Kiwi Steven Adams and Enes Kanter.

With both team defences sub-par through the regular season the series may well devolve into an attacking shoot-out, in which case the Rockets should have the upper hand.

Bench depth could also be a hindrance for the Thunder, the Rockets recently receiving a huge boost with the late season addition of scorer extraordinaire Lou Williams who has taken their second unit to another level of threat.

However, history hasn't been kind to teams which rely too heavily on outside shooting during the playoffs – especially when finding themselves under adversity on the interior. This is where Adams could have a significant impact on swaying the ledger.

The Thunder finished first in the league overall in rebounding, lead in large part by the Kiwi who finished in the top 20 for offensive rebounds per game.

OKC have a much greater ability to dial up the defence, and if perimeter-stopper Andre Roberson can limit the brilliance of Harden and Adams and co. can pack the paint, crash the glass, and limit those second-chance opportunities, then they're more than capable of wresting the advantage.

That said, the Rockets will have the utmost confidence that feisty lockdown defender Patrick Beverley will be able to limit the Westbrook damage, and may even find a way to get under his skin as has become his trademark.

It's a big if, but after what we've seen from this side and their fearless leader – anything is possible. It's going to be scintillating viewing.

The Thunder may not be the championship contenders they once were, but an angry, chip-carrying Russell Westbrook can never be underestimated.

Newshub.