Rockets vs. Thunder Prediction
How will Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook handle facing their old team when the two meet up tonight at 9:30PM ET in OKC?
507 Houston Rockets vs. 508 Oklahoma City Thunder
Thursday, January 9, 2020
9:30PM ET – Chesapeake Energy Arena
TV: TNT
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, the Rockets are favored on the road, as they are getting odds of -4 points against the Thunder. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 226.5 points. The public betting currently has 67 percent going on Houston as the road favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Rockets win third straight
Houston is coming off a 122-115 win at Atlanta last night for a third straight victory. The Rockets come into tonight’s game at 25-11 overall, 12-7 on the road, 18-18 against the spread and 20-16 with the under.
The Rockets remain the league’s top offense, averaging 119.4 points per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the field. Defensively, Houston is allowing 113.9 points per game while opponents shoot 45.6 percent from the field. Westbrook was out last night but will play today. He is putting up 24.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game for Houston. James Harden is adding 38.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.6 assists per contest.
Thunder staying hot
Oklahoma City is coming off a 111-103 OT win at Brooklyn on Tuesday. The Thunder have won six of their last seven games, covering the spread in all seven as well. OKC is now 21-16 on the season, 12-6 at home, 25-12 against the spread and 21-16 with the under.
The Thunder are solid on defense, allowing 107.4 points per game while opponents shoot 45.4 percent from the field. Offensively, OKC is putting up 108.8 points per game while shooting 46.4 percent from the floor. Danilo Gallinari is out for tonight’s game due to an injury. He averages 18 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for the Thunder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the team with 19.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest while Dennis Schroder is adding 18.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
NBA Betting Trends
Houston
The Rockets are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games as a favorite and 6-0 ATS in their last six against winning teams.
Oklahoma City
The Thunder are 12-2 against the spread in their last 14 games playing on 1 day of rest and 5-0 ATS in their last five following a win.
Prediction:
Houston won the first meeting at home back on Oct. 28, 116-112. Westbrook was one assist shy of a triple-double and shot 9 of 16, while Paul committed six turnovers. The key for Houston will be for Westbrook to play within himself in his first game back at OKC. He could try to do too much and hurt the team’s chances. The big bonus for Westbrook is that he has Harden to rely on. OKC doesn’t have that single person that can impact a game as much as he can. OKC is more balanced, but that could be their downfall tonight in a matchup against the league’s best offense. Houston tends to have some letdowns on the road, but I think they will be up for tonight’s game to help get Westbrook a big victory.
NBA Prediction: Houston Rockets -4