The Houston Rockets (9-9) travel to meet the Oklahoma City Thunder (8-10) at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Monday for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Rockets-Thunder NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Rockets at Thunder: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:10 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Rockets -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Thunder +170 (bet $100 to win $170)
- Against the spread/ATS: Rockets -5.5 (-110) | Thunder +5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 223.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Rockets at Thunder: Key injuries
Rockets
- G Dante Exum (calf) out
- G David Nwaba (ankle) out
Thunder
- F Trevor Ariza (personal) out
- G George Hill (thumb) out
- G Ty Jerome (ankle) out
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Rockets at Thunder: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Rockets 112, Thunder 109
Money line (ML)
The Rockets (-200) are the slightly better team this season, but you can’t risk two times your potential return on a team that is just .500 and on the road. It’s a risky, long-term betting strategy. Plus, I expect this to be a very close game. AVOID.
Against the spread (ATS)
The THUNDER +5.5 (-110) got worked over at home against the Nets Friday, 147-125. At least they’re rested, however, and they have done a good job against the number in this series in recent years. OKC is 6-0 ATS in their past six at home against Houston, while going 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings overall. Plus, the Rockets have some minor backcourt injury issues that will be a concern, especially if they get into foul trouble.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 223.5 (-110) is worth a light play. Yes, that’s in a game involving a team that just allowed 147 last time out. But the Rockets aren’t the Nets. Houston has a mediocre offense, registering 111.0 PPG, which is 18th in the NBA, and they are ninth in defensive scoring average at 109.6 PPG. OKC is even worse offensively, going for 107.3 PPG, good for 25th.
And if it makes you feel even better, the Under is 13-6 in the past 19 in this series, and 15-6 in the previous 21 meetings in the Sooner State.
Also see:
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