Houston Rockets vs OKC Thunder Preview and Prediction – October 21


Tuesday, the new look Houston Rockets will get the first crack at the defending champion OKC Thunder. Houston overhauled the roster by sending Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks in a multi-team trade for Kevin Durant and Clint Capela. The Rockets, who have gone 4-0 in the preseason, test their mettle against the favorites to repeat as champions.

Meanwhile, City of Ololama will hold banner night and a championship ring ceremony before hosting the Rockets. The Thunder now know they have targets on their backs as they begin their title defense. After getting nearly their entire championship roster back, OKC looks poised to break out.

Houston Rockets vs OKC Thunder Preview, Predicted Starting Lineup, Betting Tips & Prediction

Moneyline: Rockets (+219) vs. Thunder (-345)

Odds: Rockets (+6.5 -104) vs. Thunder (-6.5 -137)

Total: Rockets (o227.0 -110) vs. Thunder (u227.0 -110)

Editor's note: The odds could change closer to the game.

Houston Rockets vs OKC Thunder Preview

Alperen SengunReed Sheppard and Kevin Durant thrived as the Rockets' creators and fulcrums on offense in the preseason. On Tuesday, the NBA will know if that plan can hold up against the Thunder, who owned the best defense last season.

Houston struggled to execute its game last season without Fred VanVleet. With the veteran point guard, Ime Udoka has turned to the Durant-Sengun-Sheppard trio to generate offense. The strategy will immediately face an acid test in Oklahoma City.

The Thunder need to quickly get over their championship night celebration. After the tip-off, they will get the best shot of the Rockets and all opposing teams.

OKC is healthy and full of confidence that it can repeat. The Thunder look to open their title defense with a win against the hungry Rockets.

Houston Rockets vs OKC Thunder predicted starting lineups

rockets

PG: Reed Sheppard | GS: Amen Thompson | SF: Kevin Durant | PF: Jabari Smith Jr. | C: Alperen Sengun

thunder

PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | GS: Lu Dort | SF: Jalen Williams | PF: Chet Holmgren | C: Isaiah Hartenstein

Houston Rockets vs OKC Thunder betting tips

Reed Sheppard is thrust into a starring role without Fred VanVleet and the traded Jalen Green. Sheppard, who had 29 points in the Rockets' final preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, could continue his sparkling form. OKC's defense is elite, but Sheppard will likely surpass his 8.5 (O/U) points close.

Alperen Segun has enjoyed his new role as Houston's lead facilitator. The Turk, who averaged 8.6 dimes per game in the preseason, could surpass his 6.5 assists (O/U).

Houston Rockets vs OKC Thunder Prediction

The Houston Rockets impressed in the preseason, but the OKC Thunder are the defending champions. Alperen Sengun has impressed as a playmaker, but the Thunder's defense is built to slow him down. The Rockets will likely lose, but they cover the +6.5 spread.