Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 Best Bets

For the first time this season, the Houston Rockets take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Against a tough opponent, Houston is looking to break their losing skid.

The Houston Rockets return home tonight to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder for the first time this season. The Thunder is a formidable opponent, currently second in the Western Conference. The Rockets, regrettably, are riding a three-game losing streak in the wake of continuing to be winless on the road.

Returning home means safer waters, as they are 8-1 on the season in the Toyota Center. That being said, they are narrow underdogs.

The Thunder is riding a two-game win streak and (allegedly) has the best rookie in the league thus far in Chet Holmgren. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making another All-NBA run, and his supporting cast of Josh Giddey, Holmgren, Lu Dort, and Jalen Williams are legitimate contenders in the Western Conference.

The Thunder enter the game with a clean injury report, while the Rockets will be without Victor Oladipo, Amen Thompson, and Jock Landale. Tari Eason is questionable. Below we have our best picks, courtesy of the lines at SI Sportsbook.

The Lines

Point spread: Thunder -2.5 (-110)/Rockets +2.5 (-118)

Moneyline: Thunder (-133)/Rockets (+105)

Over/under: 226.5

Our Picks

Safe pick: Alperen Şengün OVER 22.5 points (-125)

With Chet Holmgren’s defense, this is not the guaranteed pick it usually is. Alperen Şengün has averaged 22.9 points over his last ten games and remains eager to shoot from deep, which will be key in this game. If he can create separation off-ball and then catch and shoot, Holmgren simply won’t be able to keep up.

Opponent pick: Chet Holmgren OVER 1.5 block (-188)

Jabari Smith Jr. has suggested that he is eager to go up against Holmgren, and if Houston pounds the paint, they might be able to overcome Holmgren. That being said, his getting two blocks is more than likely. He has only fallen under this line seven times, and it sounds like he will have plenty of chances to pin shots to the backboard. Even if he’s overwhelmed down low, he should be able to luck into a couple of blocks at least.

Team pick: UNDER 226.5 total points (-110)

These two teams combine for 229.8 points per game on average, but the hounding defense Houston brings to the table should slow down the fifth-best offense in the league. Both teams have a top-ten defense, so Houston should be slowed down as well. The only player on the Thunder who can overwhelm Houston’s defense is SGA. Having just one elite offensive weapon on each team (Alperen Şengün for Houston) is not a recipe for a high-scoring game. 

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