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Rockets vs. Thunder prediction and odds for NBA Summer League (Rockets undermanned)

The Rockets were one of the most talented teams in Summer League, but just shut down their two second year stars.

By Josh Yourish

Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10)
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) / Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
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The Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets were the two top contenders to the Warriors in the West last decade. The Thunder tore it down first and so they’ve built it back up quicker, but things might be coming together for the Rockets now too. Two of the top three picks in the 2022 NBA Draft were slated to go head-to-head in this one with both Jabari Smith Jr. and Chet Holmgren dominating the Summer League. However, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason have both been shut down by Houston for the rest of the summer.

Let’s get into the odds for this matchup of Western Conference upstarts in the Vegas Summer League.

Rockets vs. Thunder odds, run line and total

Spread

  • Rockets +5.5 (-110)
  • Thunder -5.5 (-110)

Moneyline

  • Rockets +180
  • Thunder -210

Total

  • 187 (Over -110 / Under -110)

Rockets vs. Thunder prediction and pick

The Thunder have had a lot of summer league action after going 2-1 in the Salt Lake City Summer League, they are 1-0 in Vegas. In that matchup in Vegas they took down the Mavericks 91-80 and Chet Holmgren had 16 point and 10 rebounds with two blocks in 30 minutes. Holmgren has looked great, but not as good as Jabari Smith Jr.

Smith scored 33 points on 18 shots with a 14-17 day from the free throw line in his Summer League debut and then last time out he dropped 38 on the Pistons on 13-25 shooting with seven rebounds and six assists. Smith looked unstoppable and the rest of this athletic Rockets roster has been impressive as well. Cam Whitmore had 21 points last game and Tari Eason added 26. Now, it'll just be Whitmore out there for Houston with Smith and Eason gone and Amen Thompson injured.

This game will still feature some of the most talented teams in the Summer League. This will be a showcase game for Whitmore for Houston and against the loaded Thunder with Cason Wallace, Tre Mann, and Ousmane Dieng in addition to Holmgren. So many of these guys can get buckets at will and that’s led to some high scoring games. Without Smith and Eason I just can't trust Houston to hang around with all the first round picks on the OKC roster. I'll take the Thunder to dominate this one.

Pick: Thunder -5.5 (-110)

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change

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