OKC Thunder vs Houston Rockets Prediction and Betting Tips | Dec. 1, 2024

The OKC Thunder will look to continue their strong start to the season when they take on the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center in Texas. Sunday's game pits the No.1 and 2-ranked teams in the Western Conference against each other, so an exciting hard-fought battle between two star-studded rosters could be in store.

The Thunder (15-4) come into the highly anticipated matchup on a four-game win streak, with wins over the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors and the LA Lakers over the last 11 days.

They struggled with injuries early on, but a string of exceptional displays from All-Star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has kept the Thunder ahead of their rivals in the West.

Meanwhile, the Rockets (14-6) have exceeded expectations during the early stage of the season and are right on the heels of the red-hot Thunder. Ime Udoka's team have won eight of their last 10 games and trail Oklahoma City by 1.5 games as the first quarter of the season approaches.

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OKC Thunder vs Houston Rockets preview, betting tips, odds, and prediction

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Credit: Imagn

The Houston Rockets host the OKC Thunder on Sunday at the Toyota Center, and the game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. EST (4 p.m. PST).

Fans will be able to catch the action locally on Space City Home Network and FanDuel Sports Network-Oklahoma. The game will also be available to stream on NBA League Pass and fuboTV.

Moneyline: Thunder (-125), Rockets (+105)

Spread: Thunder -1.5 (-110), Rockets +1.5 (-110)

Total (Over/Under): Over 221.5 (-105), Under 221.5 (-115)

Note: All odds are subject to change closer to tip off. The listed odds are based on information available at the time of writing

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OKC Thunder vs Houston Rockets preview

Oklahoma City have lost four times this season and hold the best record in the West. Away from home, Mark Daigneault's team have lost twice in nine games, against the Denver Nuggets and the San Antonio Spurs, losing by two and six points, respectively.

Canadian star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the standout player for the Thunder. The versatile point guard is averaging 29.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks and leads the roster in points, assists and blocks.

The Thunder will be without several key players, with Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, Jaylin Williams and Ousmane Dieng all out, while Alex Ducas is listed as a game-time decision.

After an underwhelming start to the campaign, meanwhile, the Houston Rockets have won nine of their last 11 games to propel their way up the standings.

The Rockets are second in the West with a one-game lead over the Memphis Grizzlies and a 1.5 game lead over the Golden State Warriors. Houston has been strong offensively, scoring at least 115 points in four of their last five games. They also scored a whopping 143 points against the Chicago Bulls on Nov. 17.

Jalen Green will be the player to keep an eye on for the Rockets. The 22-year old is coming off an exceptional 41-point outing against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. He'd averaging 19.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.0 spg over 20 starts.

The Rockets have no major injury issues going into Sunday's game.

The two teams have played once this season, with the OKC Thunder emerging with a 126-107 victory at the Paycom Center on Nov. 8

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OKC Thunder vs Houston Rockets betting tips

Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green. Photo Credit: Imagn

With several injuries in the Thunder roster, the focus will be be on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to deliver. The young guard has risen to the challenge over the last few weeks and continues to put up big numbers. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 29.8 ppg and should go over 29.5 points in what's expected to be a high-scoring game.

Jalen Green, meanwhile, is coming off a 41 point performance, going 12-for-20 from the field. Before that game, though, Green had managed just nine, 10, 17 and 14 points in his previous four outings.

The over/under for his total points is set at 16.5, which seems low. Green should be able to go over that number after coming off a memorable performance in Philadelphia.

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OKC Thunder vs Houston Rockets prediction

The OKC Thunder go into the game as slender 1.5-point favourites. Injuries will be a concern for Oklahoma. Another factor could be their lack of rest time. The Rockets have had three days of rest since their last game against the 76ers, while the Thunder had to travel to San Francisco on Wednesday and Los Angeles on Friday.

Jalen Green was sensational in his last game, though, and with a boisterous home crowd behind them, the Rockets could pull off an upset against the top ranked team in the West.