Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Pick & Prediction 12/14/24

The Thunder (-223) are favored by 5.5 points over the Rockets (+185) in a Western Conference matchup. The over/under line for the game is 213.5 points.

Oklahoma City (19-5) has won four straight and is currently the top team in the West. Houston (17-8) has won two in a row and is third in the conference.

HOUSTON ROCKETS VS OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER BETTING PICK

The Pick: Houston Rockets +5.5

This game will be played at T-Mobile Arena at 8:30 ET on Saturday, December 14th.

WHY BET THE HOUSTON ROCKETS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 135-115 in favor of the Rockets.
• Our projections have Jalen Green finishing with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
• From the field, we have the Rockets finishing with a field goal percentage of 45.5% and knocking down 14 threes.

Can the Rockets Offense Score Enough on the Road?

With a narrow 91-90 win over the Warriors on Wednesday, the Rockets improved to 17-8 this season. Houston, playing at home, was favored by 3.5 points but didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points were 181, well below the O/U line of 220.5.

Houston took control early, leading 44-37 at halftime. However, the Warriors surged in the 3rd quarter, outscoring the Rockets 32-24. Houston regained momentum in the 4th, edging out Golden State 23-21 to secure the win.

Alperen Şengün led the Rockets to a 91-90 win over the Warriors, scoring 26 points and grabbing 11 rebounds while shooting 55.6% from the field. Jabari Smith Jr. added 15 points, hitting 3 threes at 37.5% efficiency, and Jalen Green contributed 12 points despite shooting just 33.3%.

Houston struggled from beyond the arc, making just 6 threes at a 22.2% clip, but shot 45.8% overall. Şengün was consistent throughout, scoring 6 points in every quarter, while Green added 8 of his 12 points in the 2nd period.

The Rockets’ defense came up big on Wednesday, holding the Warriors to just 90 points. Houston set the tone early, limiting Golden State to 18 points in the 1st quarter and 19 in the 2nd. Despite a 32-point 3rd quarter from the Warriors, the Rockets tightened up in the 4th, allowing just 21 points to secure the win.

From beyond the arc, the Rockets held the Warriors to 31% shooting, with Golden State making 12 threes. Houston also kept the Warriors off the free-throw line, where they went 4/9. Defensively, the Rockets recorded 10 steals and 5 blocks.

Can Oklahoma City Live Up to the Hype at Home?

Oklahoma City improved to 19-5 on the season with a 118-104 win over the Mavericks on Tuesday. The Thunder, who were favored by 4.5 points, covered the spread with the victory. The game’s total of 222 points fell short of the 230-point over/under line.

A 13-0 run early in the game helped the Thunder take control, turning a 9-4 deficit into a 17-9 lead. After a strong 3rd quarter where they outscored Dallas 33-19, Oklahoma City entered the 4th quarter leading 90-73.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was outstanding in the Thunder’s 118-104 win over the Mavericks, scoring 39 points, including 16 in both the 1st and 3rd quarters. He hit 5 threes at 55.6% efficiency and shot 65.2% from the field overall.

Oklahoma City made 20 threes as a team, shooting 40% from beyond the arc, though their overall field goal percentage was 45.5%. Jalen Williams added 18 points, with 10 coming in the 4th quarter.

Despite a rough 4th quarter, the Thunder’s defense held the Mavericks to 104 points on Tuesday. Their best effort came in the 3rd, where they allowed just 19 points. Oklahoma City sent Dallas to the line 19 times, with the Mavericks converting 13 of those attempts.

The Thunder struggled to contain the Mavericks from deep, allowing 15 threes on 41% shooting. However, they were active defensively, racking up 14 steals and 5 blocks. Oklahoma City also limited Dallas to 7 offensive rebounds.