With the NBA season heating up, bettors could have a fun game today with the Houston Rockets facing off against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a crucial Western Conference matchup. The Western Conference has been a fight, and with the top-seeded teams facing off against each other, the Thunder could make it an interesting game for bettors against the Rockets today.
Houston has been on the Thunder’s heels this season, and with a win, could improve their seeding in the Western Conference with a top-three seeding, while the Thunder is trying to solidify its dominance in the Western Conference. With both teams trying to assert their dominance, bettors could have a fun time with the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder today.
Game Details
Date: February 7
Time: 3:30 PM
Location: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
TV/Streaming: ABC, ESPN App
Odds: OKC -164, Team -3.5, o/u 211.5
Team Form & Recent Results
Houston Rockets Recent Form
- The Houston Rockets have been on a two-game losing streak and have won six of their last ten games.
- Houston is trying to snap their losing streak and keep fighting for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
- The Rockets rank well in 3PT FG%, first in rebounds, and tenth in steals, along with being fifth in offensive and defensive ratings.
- Kevin Durant has been playing well this season, scoring 26.0 points a game, with 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game.
Oklahoma City Thunder Recent Form
- The Thunder are reeling from a loss against the Spurs and have won five of ten, winning two of their last four games.
- Oklahoma is still on top of the Western Conference with a strong home record, being 22-4 at home this season.
- The Thunder are on top of the offensive rankings, being first in PPG, 3rd on FG%, 2nd in FT%, but are 17th in rebounds, along with a strong defense being first in defensive ratings.
- With injuries to star players, Aaron Wiggins could lead the offense with scoring 10.8 points a game, having 1.9 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game.
Key Storylines
- The Houston Rockets will not have Jae’Sean Tate for today’s game, while the Thunder will be losing Jalen Williams, Shao Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Topic and Ajay Mitchell for today’s game.
- There will be no returning stars due to the injuries and their severity for both the Rockets and Thunder today.
- Houston is hoping to snap a two-game losing streak against a rival, while the Thunder are hoping to avoid a losing streak after another painful loss to the Spurs.
- Las Vegas is favoring the Thunder due to the depth of the roster against the Rockets, and the potential of being a close win for the home team.
Players to Watch
Houston Rockets
- Jabari Smith
- The Rockets’ young forward is having a solid season, scoring 15.1 points per game, along with 1.9 assists and 6.9 rebounds per game.
- In the loss against the Hornets, Smith scored 17 points, with two assists and seven rebounds.
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Kenrich Williams
- Oklahoma’s veteran guard has been having a decent season, scoring 7.0 points a game, along with 1.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.
- In the loss to the Spurs, Williams scored 25 points with nine rebounds and two assists.
Matchup Breakdown
Offense vs. Defense
The Houston Rockets have been having a solid season on offense, being first in rebounds, especially in offensive rebounds, along with a strong FG%. Houston’s offense, led by Durant, has been taking the right steps in winning, along with a strong defense, ranking fifth in defensive rating and tenth in steals.
While the Rockets are a strong contender for the Western Conference, the Thunder are one of the best teams this season, with the statistics to back up their claim. Oklahoma ranks first in PPG, 3rd in FG%, and 15th in 3PT FG, but ranks poorly in offensive rebounds. The Thunder also have a strong defense, being first in defensive rating and 3rd in steals.
Coaching / Strategy Notes
For the Houston Rockets to win this game, they must have a strong offensive performance from everyone in the lineup besides Durant, due to the blowout loss in their last two games. If the Rockets are to have a chance to win, they need a great game from Alperen Sengun and Josh Okogie in their lineup today.
While the Rockets need the full health and performance from their lineup, the Thunder needs to slow down their rivals, even with their lineup not healthy. The Thunder needs to rely on their bench players to have a strong defensive game against the Rockets in order to win on their home court today.
Prediction
Prediction: Houston Rockets 100, Oklahoma City Thunder 105
How to Watch
FAQ SECTION
Q: What time is the [Houston Rockets] vs. [Oklahoma City Thunder] game?
A: [The time for the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder game will be at 3:30 PM.]
Q: Who is favored to win?
A: [Las Vegas will be favoring the Thunder in this matchup due to the roster being elite and beating the Thunder in the past.]
Q: Where is the game being played?
A: [Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK]
Q: What are the betting odds?
A: [(OKC -164, Team -3.5, o/u 211.5)]
Conclusion
With both teams being in elite form, this game could be closer, with the Oklahoma City Thunder barely covering against the Houston Rockets in today’s game. The Thunder, even with a loss, have been on a roll, and could have another win that could get them close to a potential back-to-back championship season.
While the Rockets are a solid team, the Thunder are a machine, and could have a strong game against their defense, and could get a win for bettors today. With the Western Conference being a warzone, the Oklahoma City Thunder could get a close but enough to cover against the Houston Rockets, who have been sluggish in their last two games.
