When we last saw the Rockets and Thunder during their memorable first-round series in the 2020 playoffs, both sides looked quite different. Houston was led by James Harden and Russell Westbrook, while Oklahoma City had key veterans in its rotation such as Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder, Danilo Gallinari, and Steven Adams. The 2019-20 Rockets were coached by Mike D’Antoni, and the Thunder by Billy Donovan.
Since Houston’s thrilling Game 7 win, both franchises have made transactions that led many around the NBA to speculate that rebuilds were underway. All of those veterans are gone, and the Rockets and Thunder are led by a pair of relatively young coaches in Stephen Silas and Mark Daigneault. Yet, each side is showing early in the 2020-21 regular season that they aren’t accepting a painful rebuild as inevitable.
Led by the “WOW factor” of Christian Wood, Victor Oladipo, and John Wall, the Rockets (9-9) enter Monday’s game at Oklahoma City with five straight wins and one of the league’s top defenses since trading James Harden. Meanwhile, the Thunder (8-10) are only a game behind Houston in the Western Conference standings, and they enter with two impressive road wins — at Portland and at Phoenix — in their last three games.
Young guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort have taken on larger roles in 2020-21 after the departures of Paul and Schroder.
https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=J6EMASrUjC-1132224-7498&format=json&offsetx=0&offsety=0&floatwidth=400&floatposition=bottom-right&float=on
[lawrence-related id=44353]
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: Rockets -5.5 (-115), Thunder +5.5 (-115)
- Moneyline: Rockets -225/Thunder +180
- Over-under: 223.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
- Player O/U Scoring Props: Christian Wood 23.5 (-105 O, -125 U), Victor Oladipo 20.5 (-125 O, +100 U), John Wall 17.5 (-110 O, -115 U), Jae’Sean Tate 8.5 (+100 O, -130 U); Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 21.5 (-115 O, -105 U), Lu Dort 13.5 (+100 O, -125 U), Darius Bazley 12.5 (-110 O, -115 U), Al Horford 12.5 (-105 O, -125 U)
Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, MI, NV, NJ, PA, TN, and WV at BetMGM.
From NBA.com’s game notes, Monday’s projected starters for Oklahoma City are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Théo Maledon, Darius Bazley, and Al Horford. Meanwhile, Houston is again listing John Wall, Victor Oladipo, Jae’Sean Tate, PJ Tucker, and Christian Wood.
The Rockets and Thunder will play again in the same arena on Wednesday night, as part of the NBA’s plan to minimize travel for teams during the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=9XNa0Fgb2s-1131297-7498&format=json&offsetx=0&offsety=0&floatwidth=400&floatposition=bottom-right&float=on
Advice and prediction
Houston is likely to be without a key reserve in both games; defensive ace David Nwaba is sidelined by a left ankle sprain. Meanwhile, the Thunder are without George Hill (right thumb sprain); Ty Jerome (left ankle sprain) and former Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (not with team).
Houston will likely replace Nwaba in its rotation with Ben McLemore, which should provide more shooting on offense but less defensive value.
While both teams enter Monday with comparable records, a closer look at the advanced metrics suggests a wider split. Houston ranks No. 12 for the season in overall net rating, whereas the Thunder are second-to-last at No. 29. Since Jan. 13, Houston has risen to No. 7 in net rating, whereas the Thunder remain mired at No. 29 over that span. That suggests potential value on the Rockets, who enter as only a moderate favorite.
Prediction: 115-107, Rockets
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-related id=44345,44341]
https://embed.sendtonews.com/oembed/?SC=wykFikWlPu-1130475-7498&format=json&offsetx=0&offsety=0&floatwidth=400&floatposition=bottom-right&float=on
[listicle id=44267]