The Oklahoma City Thunder (21-16) will try to slow down the NBA’s top scoring team when they meet the Houston Rockets (25-11) at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The game can be seen on ATTSN Southwest at 9:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 9, 2020.
Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Prediction
In the Rockets’ last contest, they defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 122-115, as 3-point underdogs. The game’s total points (237) were over the projected point total of 225. The Rockets made 31 of their 41 free throws (75.6 percent) and held the Hawks to an effective field goal percentage of 0.429 (below their season average of 0.508). Houston was lifted by James Harden, who accumulated 41 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. This gave him his first triple-double of the season.
The Thunder were victorious over the Brooklyn Nets in their last game, 111-103, despite being 1-point underdogs. The total points for the game (214) finished just under the projected point total of 216.5. The Thunder made 24 of their 29 free throws (82.8 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (12.5 vs. 13.9). With 10 points and 18 rebounds, Oklahoma City’s Steven Adams had a solid performance.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Harden scored a game-high 40 points and the Rockets defeated the Thunder 116-112 but were not able to cover as 10-point favorites. He also recorded seven assists. The game finished with a total of 228 points, which was just 1 points above the projected point total of 227 points. Houston did a terrific job of getting and making free throws (28-33; 84.8 percent). Oklahoma City, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (34.0 vs. 20.0).
Houston heads into the contest with records of 25-11 straight up (SU) and 19-16 against the spread (ATS). Games involving the Rockets have gone under the total 54.3 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City is 21-16 SU and 24-12-1 ATS. Games including the Thunder have a tendency to go under the total (59.5 percent).
It will be a battle of opposite paces as the up-and-down Rockets (ranked third in the league in possessions per game) will look to push the slower-paced Thunder (25th in possessions per game).
Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Pick
NBA Prediction: ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Houston is 10-8 ATS on the road with 11 unders and 7 overs.
Oklahoma City is 10-7-1 ATS at home with 10 unders and 8 overs.
Oklahoma City is 6-3 when they allow under 100 points, while Houston is 3-0.
In games where they reach 100 points, the Thunder are 20-9 and the Rockets are 25-10.
Oklahoma City ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (11.1) while Houston ranks last (16.2).
The Rockets rank first in three pointers attempted per game (44.3) while the Thunder rank 27th (29.7).
Oklahoma City ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (22.7) while Houston ranks 29th (25.9).
The Rockets rank eighth in second chance points per game (13.9) while the Thunder rank 28th (11.1).
Houston ranks fourth in rebounds per game (47.4) while Oklahoma City ranks 22nd (43.5).
The Thunder rank fourth in steals allowed per game (6.9) while the Rockets rank 18th (7.8).
Houston ranks fifth in points off turnovers per game (18.3) while Oklahoma City ranks 18th (16.6).
The Thunder rank fifth in blocks allowed per game (4.2) while the Rockets rank 11th (4.8).
Houston ranks 17th in points in the paint per game (47.1) while Oklahoma City ranks 22nd in points allowed in the paint per game (49.6).
In its last five outings, Houston is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Oklahoma City is 5-0 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Rockets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.6, up from 5.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 112.0 points per game (3.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 106.6 points per game (0.8 below their season average).
