Betsided

Thunder vs. Rockets Prediction and Odds

By Thomas Snodgrass

Giddey and the Thunder will pick up their first win tonight.
Giddey and the Thunder will pick up their first win tonight. / Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit

Tonight’s matchup is between two franchises that are likely headed for a lottery pick in the 2022 NBA Draft: The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets.

Oklahoma City expectedly lost their opener to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, 107-86. The Thunder were 12-point underdogs on the spread and the Jazz covered the lofty margin. OKC started four players at 23-years old or younger, including 19-year old Josh Giddey. Thunder fans may have to wait until Giddey can buy a beer before this team is competitive again.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team in scoring in the season-opening contest, picking up 18 points against Utah’s defense.

The Rockets starting five is not as young as the Thunder’s, but their rebuild will be centered around 20-year old guard, Jalen Suggs. Suggs shot only four of 14 from the field in his regular season debut, so there is nowhere to go but up.

Here are the odds for this matchup, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

dark. Exclusive offer. Bet $1, Win $100 if anyone makes a 3-pointer.

Thunder vs. Rockets Odds, Spread and Over/Under

Spread: 

  • Thunder +3 (-110)
  • Rockets -3 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Thunder: +135
  • Rockets: -155

Total: 220.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Thunder vs. Rockets Prediction and Pick

These are two subpar teams with little information to go on. As long as John Wall decides to not play for Houston, it makes it hard to back them in any game. 

The Rockets rebuild has led them to a starting five that I don’t really trust. Who’s going to get the job done? Christian Wood? Kevin Porter? Maybe Eric Gordon off the bench? I'm not sure, and I'm definitely not confident backing Houston.

I’m going to go out on a limb and back the Thunder tonight. I like what Gilgeous-Alexander and Giddey bring to the Oklahoma City backcourt, and after facing a stifling defense from the Utah Jazz, creating space against Houston to get open shots shouldn’t be as difficult.

There won't be too much to celebrate this season for OKC, but they will celebrate tonight.

I’m taking the Thunder at +3 on the spread and on the moneyline at +135.

Home/NBA Picks