Russell Westbrook Props For 2019-20 Season After Being Traded to Rockets; Odds to Average a Triple-Double Set at +500
- Russell Westbrook has averaged a triple-double in each of the past three seasons
- He is +500 to average a triple-double in his first season with the Houston Rockets
- What are the best bets for Russ’ 2019-20 statistical over/unders?
The wild NBA offseason took another surprising twist earlier this week, with the Oklahoma City Thunder dealing two-time NBA scoring champion Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets for disgruntled veteran Chris Paul and a host of draft picks.
Books have released over/unders for Westbrook’s statlines (PPG, RPG, APT) with his new team, along with odds that he’ll average a triple-double for a remarkable fourth straight season.
Let’s tackle that last one first.
Will Russell Westbrook Average a Triple-Double with Rockets?
| Outcome | Odds Russell Westbrook Averages a Triple-Double in 2019-20 |
|---|---|
| Yes | +500 |
| No | -1000 |
The trade has had an immediate and dramatic impact on Houston’s odds to win the 2020 NBA championship, which have quickly gone from about +1400 to +750.
The oddsmakers are not so optimistic that Westbrook will be able to keep up his scoring, rebounding, and assist-production with the Rockets, though.
While this is a far better team than he had in OKC, and James Harden will demand a lot more time with the ball in his hands than Paul George did, +500 is too tempting to pass up.
Averaging double-figures in points is a given, and the 11-year veteran established new career highs with 11.1 rebounds and a league-leading 10.7 assists per game last season. He has some room to decline in both categories while still averaging a triple-double.
Pick: Yes (+500)
Will Russell Westbrook Average Over 8.5 Assists in 2019-20?
| Over/Under | Odds on Russell Westbrook’s Assists Per Game in 2019-20 |
|---|---|
| OVER 8.5 | -115 |
| UNDER 8.5 | -115 |
Now paired with reigning two-time scoring champion James Harden in the Rockets’ backcourt, Westbrook will likely have ample opportunity to run up his assists total. Last season, Harden led the league by a wide margin in points per game with 36.1, and should benefit from the addition of Westbrook.
When Westbrook and Harden are both one assist away from a triple double… pic.twitter.com/TLLG5bvKFE
— Dunkademics.com (@Dunkademics) July 12, 2019
The total for Westbrook’s assists per game next season has been pegged at a conservative 8.5, well short of the 10.45 assists he has averaged over the course of the past four seasons. As a -115 bet, a wager on Westbrook topping 8.5 assists per game offers plenty of appeal.
Pick: OVER 8.5 assists (-115)
Will Russell Westbrook Average Over 8.0 Rebounds in 2019-20?
| Over/Under | Odds on Russell Westbrook’s Rebounds Per Game in 2019-20 |
|---|---|
| OVER 8.0 | -115 |
| UNDER 8.0 | -115 |
Maintaining his double-digit rebound total could be a lot trickier for Westbrook in Texas. Westbrook has averaged over 10 rebounds per game in each of the past three seasons. Under the basket in Houston has been owned by big man Clint Capela, who finished last season among the league leaders with 12.7 rebounds per game.
CLINT. CAPELA. SAID. NAH. ??♂️
(via @NBATV)pic.twitter.com/n1VMUTUTuX
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 5, 2019
However, Capela had emerged as a subject of trade speculation prior to the Rockets dealing for Westbrook, and a move out of Houston could open the door for the always opportunistic Westbrook to pad his stats once again.
Pick: OVER 8.0 rebounds (-115)
Will Russell Westbrook Average Over 22.5 Points in 2019-20?
| Over/Under | Odds on Russell Westbrook’s Points Per Game in 2019-20 |
|---|---|
| OVER 22.5 | -115 |
| UNDER 22.5 | -115 |
Perhaps the biggest question mark is whether Westbrook can maintain his steady point scoring in Houston, where he will likely have to share the ball with Harden more often than he has been accustomed to.
Man. Westbrook running the ball at the rim surrounded by the Rockets depth in three-point shooting — Harden included — is going to be tough. Spread floor means Russ doesn’t have to shoot over packed defenses. He will have a great year. The West is insane: https://t.co/oM6Ckm1ZWF
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) July 12, 2019
Westbrook’s 22.9 points per game this past season marks his weakest production since his injury-shortened 2013-14 campaign, during which he saw action in just 46 games.
While Westbrook’s dip raises concerns that he may be entering a decline, the move from Oklahoma City to a more talented Rockets squad should provide him with a lift, adding value to a -115 wager on him draining OVER 22.5 points per game next season.
Pick: OVER 22.5 points per game (-115)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
