The Oklahoma City Thunder (6-4) will try to extend their six-game winning streak against the Houston Rockets (4-5) at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The game gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 8, 2018.
Houston opened as a 4.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 213 points.
Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Prediction
In the Rockets’ last matchup, they beat the Indiana Pacers, 98-94, as 1-point underdogs. The game’s total points (192) were well under the O/U total of 215.5. Houston held the Pacers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.493 (below their season average of 0.547). Indiana, on the other hand, had a free throw rate of 0.267 (above their season average of 0.162). Houston was lifted by James Harden, who led the team in scoring with 28 points on 7-for-15 shooting.
The Thunder beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in their last game, 95-86, despite being 3.5-point underdogs. The total points for the game (181) finished well under the projected point total of 235.5. The Thunder had a better free throw rate (0.214 vs. 0.124), while the Cavaliers had a turnover percentage of 16.7 (above their season average of 12.9). Dennis Schroder was the game’s high scorer with 28 points on 11-for-19 shooting from the field.
It will be a showdown of opposite tempos as the up-tempo Thunder will look to push the more grind-it-out Rockets. Dating back to last season, the Thunder rank sixth in possessions per game while the Rockets are 26th.
Houston heads into the game with records of 4-5 straight up (SU) and 3-6 against the spread (ATS). Of the Rockets’ nine games, five have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City owns records of 6-4 SU and 5-4 ATS. Coinciding with Houston, Thunder games also tend to finish over the O/U total (55.6 percent).
Jerami Grant has averaged 14.2 points and 1.4 steals over the last five games for Oklahoma City.
The Thunder won two of the three meetings against the Rockets last season. In the last game, Oklahoma City won 108-102. The Thunder had a much better turnover percentage (9.4 vs. 16.5) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (30.0 vs. 18.2).
Rockets vs. Thunder Odds Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
Oklahoma City is 24-6 when they allow below 100 points, while Houston is 40-3.
When reaching 100 points, the Thunder are 51-21 and the Rockets are 73-18.
Oklahoma City ranks fourth in second chance points per game (15.1) while Houston ranks 24th (11.4).
The Thunder rank eighth in points in the paint per game (44.4) while the Rockets rank 26th (41.1).
Oklahoma City ranks first in steals per game (9.3) while Houston ranks 18th in steals allowed per game (7.3).
The Rockets rank first in three pointers attempted per game (41.9) while the Thunder rank 18th (30.3).
Oklahoma City ranks first in points off turnovers per game (19.3) while Houston ranks 16th (16.9).
The Thunder rank 12th in rebounds per game (45.1) while the Rockets rank 26th (43.3).
Houston ranks fifth in assists allowed per game (22.2) while Oklahoma City ranks 13th (23.1).
The Rockets rank third in blocks per game (5.0) while the Thunder rank eighth (5.1).
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