The Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the Houston Rockets this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The matchup comes on the heels of the Thunder currently boasting a strong record of 34 wins and 7 losses, while the Rockets sit at 23 wins and 14 losses. The Thunder won their earlier encounter this season by a narrow margin of 125-124 in overtime on October 21, where they were favored by 6.5 points.
Oklahoma City is riding a wave of momentum, having secured four consecutive victories, including a decisive 119-98 triumph over the San Antonio Spurs last Tuesday. Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shone in that game, scoring 34 points along with five rebounds and five assists, and he’s been a scoring powerhouse, averaging 30.8 points per game throughout January.
In contrast, the Rockets recently ended a three-game losing streak with a 119-113 win against the Chicago Bulls, although they did not cover the spread as 12.5-point favorites. Kevin Durant led Houston with 28 points and ten rebounds, while Alperen Sengun contributed 23 points and 11 rebounds. However, the Rockets have struggled against the spread, going 0-6 in their last six games.
Looking at the betting odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook, the Thunder are favored to win at -200, meaning a $200 bet would yield a $100 profit, while the Rockets are listed at +165. Against the spread, the Thunder are favored by 5.5 points.
Both teams will be missing key players due to injuries. For the Thunder, Luguentz Dort is questionable with a foot issue and Isaiah Hartenstein is out due to a calf injury. The Rockets will be without Tari Eason, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Fred VanVleet, all nursing various ailments.
In terms of predictions, it is anticipated that the Thunder will edge out the Rockets 119-115 in what promises to be a competitive match. Betting analyst insights suggest placing a wager on Kevin Durant to score 25 or more points at -115, as he has reached this mark in five of his last six games and is averaging 28.6 points per game this month. Additionally, considering Houston’s home record of 12-2, taking the Rockets +5.5 might be a prudent choice, given the Thunder’s injury concerns. The matchup is also expected to feature a high-scoring affair, hence the recommendation to bet on the total points scored to go over 221.5.
As fans gear up for this thrilling matchup, the stakes are high for both teams, each looking to secure a crucial win as the season progresses.