The Houston Rockets (5-3) visit the Oklahoma City Thunder (7-1) in the NBA this Friday, which is set to tip off at 8:00 p.m. from the Paycom Center in OKC. The game will be broadcast on NBA League Pass.
The Thunder are 8.5-point home favorites over the Rockets on the spread (Thunder -8.5), with the over/under currently at 220.5 points. The Thunder are -350 favorites on the moneyline to win outright, while Houston is +280 to pull off the upset.
Let's dive into my Rockets vs. Thunder predictions and my NBA picks for Friday, November 8.
Rockets vs. Thunder Picks, Predictions
Moneyline
I like the Thunder to win this game at home, but I find more value in the spread.
Spread
My Thunder vs. Rockets best bet is on the Thunder to cover the spread. The best line is available at FanDuel, but make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Over/Under
I do not have a side on the total for this game, but I would lean towards the under
Pick: Thunder -8.5
Rockets vs. Thunder Odds
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+8.5 -110 | 220.5 -110 / -110 | +280 |
| Thunder Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-8.5 -110 | 220.5 -110 / -110 | -350 |
- Rockets vs. Thunder Odds: Thunder -8.5
- Rockets vs. Thunder Over/Under: 220.5 points
- Rockets vs. Thunder Moneyline: Thunder -350, Rockets +280
Rockets vs. Thunder Preview
Oklahoma City will be looking to bounce back after suffering its first loss 124-122 Wednesday night in Denver. Thus far, it has lived up to its early billing as a title contender. Oklahoma City is tied for the best record in the Western Conference with the Warriors and Suns and is second in the league behind the Warriors with a +14.6 net rating.
Tonight, it will face a tough test against a Rockets team that is 5-3 and looking to get back in the playoffs themselves. The Rockets enter this matchup top 10 in the league in both offensive and defensive rating. However, it will face a tough test against a Thunder team that leads the league in defensive rating.
Oklahoma City is also leading the league in field goal percentage defense, 3-point-point percentage defense, and is allowing the fewest 3-point attempts per game. That should help the Thunder limit Jalen Green's impact. Green is averaging 22.6 points and 3.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, but he figures to see a lot of Lugentz Dort and Alex Caruso tonight.
Meanwhile, the Thunder's offense will be led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. Gilgeous-Alexander is currently the betting favorite to win league MVP. However, because Oklahoma City has been so dominant this season, his numbers are actually down from last season. Still, he is averaging 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 6.8 assists.
Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 25 points in five of eight games this season. He has also scored 25 points in seven of his last eight games against the Rockets with 24 points in the one miss. The Rockets are allowing 24.1 points per game to point guards. They have been stingier against power forwards and allowing 17.6 points per game, but they have had their hands full with Williams.
The third-year forward has scored 20 points in each of his last games against Houston while averaging 23 points per game in that span. He has also scored 20 points in five of his last seven games this season. He nearly missed a triple-double on Wednesday with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists against the Nuggets.
Rockets vs. Thunder Prediction
The Rockets have been a profitable team to back this season as it is 5-3 against the spread this season. You may notice that matches their record, so if you like Oklahoma City to win the game like I do, it is worth considering the spread. Tonight, we have a larger number with Oklahoma City being an 8.5-point favorite, but that may be a discounted price.
All seven of Oklahoma City's wins have been by double digits this season with an average margin of victory of 17.3 points at home. That has led to a 6-2 record ATS overall and 4-1 when favored by 9.5 points or more.
Additionally, the Thunder have won four of the last six meetings against Houston, and all of them have been by double digits. With this in mind, I will be backing the Thunder to cover this number at home, including a same game parlay featuring Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams
Best Bet: Thunder -8.5 (-110)
Same Game Parlay: Thunder -8.5, Gilgeous-Alexander 25+ points, Jalen Williams 2o+ points (+404)
Rockets vs. Thunder Starting Lineups
Rockets Starting Lineup
PG: Fred VanVleet
SG: Jalen Green
SF: Dillon Brooks
PF: Jabari Smith Jr.
C: Alperen Sengun
Thunder Starting Lineup
PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG: Cason Wallace
SF: Luguentz Dort
PF: Jalen Williams
C: Chet Holmgren
Rockets vs. Thunder Viewing Info: Channel, Start Time, Streaming
| Location: | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK |
| Date: | Friday, November 8 |
| Time: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming Options: | NBA League Pass |
