Published Jan 14, 9:45pm ET by
James Tillman - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Jan 14, 9:45pm ET
Shutterstock
One of the games on Thursday's NBA slate features the Houston Rockets hosting the OKC Thunder. Who has the edge in our Rockets vs Thunder pick?
|
|
|---|---|
| Houston Rockets | +3.5 (-110) |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | -3.5 (-110) |
Houston snapped a three-game skid with a 119-113 victory against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night.
ALSO SEE: Sixers vs Cavaliers| Odds and NBA Pick (Jan 14)
This game was surprisingly competitive, with the teams exchanging the lead 35 times. However, the Rockets used a 14-6 run to pull ahead 117-110 with less than a minute to play, en route to securing their 23rd victory of the season.
Kevin Durant scored a team-high 28 points, along with 10 rebounds and four assists on 12-for-23 shooting from the floor. Alperen Sengun registered 23 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds.
Following back-to-back losses against Phoenix and Charlotte, the Thunder enter this matchup riding a four-game win streak. This includes a 119-98 victory against the San Antonio Spurs.
Oklahoma City led by a slim 55-52 margin at the break. But a 40-24 surge in the third quarter extended the team's lead to 95-76 heading into the final frame. The game-changing stretch enabled the Thunder to notch their first win against San Antonio this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander guided the offense with 34 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Jalen Williams added 20 points, connecting on nine of his 15 shot attempts.
Here's a look at what you need to know for both teams ahead of this contest.
OKC is 8-4 in the previous 12 meetings in this series and is 14-3 in its last 17 outings against Southwest Division opponents. Taking these trends into consideration, the defending champs have the edge in this Western Conference matchup.
|
Pick
OKC Thunder
|
New Player Bonus
50% up to $1000
|
