The Oklahoma City Thunder (24-19), 7-point underdogs, will travel to the Toyota Center to square off with the Houston Rockets (26-15). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 229 points and it will air on ATTSN Southwest at 5 p.m. ET on Monday, January 20, 2020.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets Betting Odds
The Thunder beat the Portland Trail Blazers in their last outing, 119-106, covering as 6.5-point favorites. The Rockets, meanwhile, were beaten by the Los Angeles Lakers, 124-115, and were not able to cover as 3.5-point underdogs. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Oklahoma City game finished 9.5 points over the projected point total of 215.5, while the Houston game finished 4.5 points over the projected point total of 234.5.
Oklahoma City dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a great free throw rate of 0.313 (above their season average of 0.227) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 30.0 (above their season average of 19.7). For those same stats, Portland was 0.176 and 25.0, respectively. Houston, on the other hand, did a great job of getting to and converting from the free throw line (23-29; 79.3 percent). Houston received a boost from Russell Westbrook, who had 35 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Chris Paul, meanwhile had a good outing for Oklahoma City, finishing with 30 points and seven assists.
The Thunder evened the season series at one with a 113-92 blowout victory in their most recent contest. Danilo Gallinari put up a double-double in the victory with 23 points and 11 rebounds. The Thunder’s offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over the Rockets. Oklahoma City had a rate of 22.5, while Houston posted a mark of 15.7. The two teams combined for 205 points, which was well under the projected point total of 228, and Oklahoma City covered as a 3-point underdog.
Games featuring the Thunder have a slight tendency to finish under the total (53.5 percent). Oklahoma City heads into the game with records of 24-19 straight up (SU) and 27-15-1 against the spread (ATS).
Games including the Rockets have typically gone under the total (56.1 percent). Additionally, Houston is 26-15 SU and 20-21 ATS.
This game should be a matchup of contrasting tempos. Houston prefers an up-tempo style of play (fourth in possessions per game), while Oklahoma City is slower-paced (23rd in possessions per game).
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Thunder rank fifth in blocks allowed per game (4.2) while the Rockets rank 13th (4.9).
- Oklahoma City ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (10.6) while Houston ranks 28th (15.9).
- The Rockets rank fifth in rebounds per game (47.4) while the Thunder rank 24th (43.3).
- Houston ranks 12th in second chance points per game (13.3) while Oklahoma City ranks last (10.8).
- Oklahoma City ranks fifth in steals allowed per game (6.9) while Houston ranks 20th (8.0).
- The Rockets rank first in three pointers attempted per game (44.1) while the Thunder rank 24th (30.3).
- The Thunder rank ninth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.9) while the Rockets rank 25th (18.5).
- Houston averages 47.0 points in the paint per game, which ranks 18th in the league. Oklahoma City ranks 22nd in points allowed in the paint per game (49.5).
- Oklahoma City ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (22.6) while Houston ranks 27th (25.9).
- Houston is 3-0 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Oklahoma City is 7-3.
- The Rockets are 26-13 when they score over 100 points, while the Thunder are 23-12.
- Oklahoma City is 15-5 ATS on the road, while Houston is 10-10 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 11 of the Rockets’ 20 home games, while 12 of the Thunder’s 20 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Thunder are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Rockets are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Oklahoma City has 5 overs, while Houston has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 115.0 points per game (5.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 116.0 points per game (8.0 above their season average).
- The Rockets have been outscored by an average of 4.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Houston has defeated opponents by an average of 4.4 points.
