The Houston Rockets play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night in the regular season’s opening game for both teams. If you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ve got the latest point spread, moneyline odds, and over-under number, as well as the information you’ll need to make the smartest bet on BetMGM.
The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. Central from Toyota Center, and it can be seen on AT&T SportsNet Southwest. Houston is one of a limited number of NBA markets allowing fans (up to 4,500) to start the 2020-21 season, so there could be a slight home-court advantage factor.
Among rotation players, both teams enter the game mostly healthy. Houston will be without reserve guard Ben McLemore, who is self-isolating, while the Thunder are missing veteran forward Trevor Ariza as well as young prospects Theo Maledon and Ty Jerome.
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Both franchises finished 44-28 last season and tied for the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference, though the Thunder have lower expectations entering 2020-21 after opting to effectively rebuild in the offseason. Veterans Chris Paul, Dennis Schroder, and Steven Adams were all traded, while Danilo Gallinari signed with Atlanta in free agency.
Among starters, the Rockets effectively swapped out Robert Covington and Russell Westbrook for Christian Wood and John Wall. Meanwhile, Mike D’Antoni was replaced as head coach by Stephen Silas. This will be the first meeting between the teams since their first-round series in the 2020 playoffs, which Houston won in seven games to advance.
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: Rockets -7.5 (-110)
- Money line: Rockets -350/Thunder +260
- Over-under: 224.5 (-115 over, -105 under)
- Player O/U Scoring Props: James Harden 29.5 (-115 over, -110 under), Christian Wood 18.5 (-115 over, -110 under), John Wall 18.5 (-105 over, -120 under)
Place your legal, online sports bets in CO, IN, MI, NV, NJ, PA, TN, and WV at BetMGM.
Advice and prediction
The moneyline is steep, especially with two teams that underwent big changes in the offseason followed by a shortened training camp. Houston is the better team on paper, but that 7.5 number is significant. The Rockets probably should cover it, but it’s likely to be a close call.
That said, taking the over on Wall (18.5) could be a smart bet. Wall averaged 16.3 points in 22.9 minutes per game during the preseason, and he’s likely to play for a lot longer in the regular season. He’s also quite motivated to play well, having not taken the court for a regular-season game in nearly two years. Moreover, Harden and Wood should each have their hands full versus quality defenders in Lu Dort and Al Horford.
That could force Wall to step up as a creator to unlock Oklahoma City’s defense. Based on his preseason form and clear motivation to announce his NBA comeback, the five-time All-Star may have a big night.
Prediction: 117-109, Rockets
Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.
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