The young OKC Thunder look to make noise in the 2024-25 NBA Season and are set for their second pre-season game against the rising Houston Rockets. This NBA Western Conference clash will take place inside the halls of the Paycom Center in Oklahoma Citty on Friday, October 9. The live television broadcast of Bally Sports OK and Space City Home Network will begin at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. NBA betting picks have the OKC Thunder carrying the upper hand over the Houston Rockets.
The previewing information
Date: October 9, Friday | Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
TV: Bally Sports OK, Space City Home Network
Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC, 790 AM / S: 93.3 FM
Stream: NBA League Pass
Houston Rockets Vs OKC Thunder Odds, Picks, Moneyline
Moneyline: Rockets (+160) vs Thunder (-190)
Spread: Rockets +4.5 (-115) vs Thunder -4.5 (-105)
Total (O/U): Rockets (o224) vs Thunder (u224)
*All odds are subject to change depending on the time of this posting
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are looking to build on their potential from last season with Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green, who are a year older in the NBA. Along with veterans Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, this team has many expectations and will seek improvement in their win-loss record. Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith and Cam Witmore round up the team’s young core and expect an exciting brand of basketball coming from this Texas-based team.
Reed Sheppard is the Rockets’ rookie addition for the 2024-25 season and he had all-around contributions on his first pre-season game with four points, three rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal. Look for the team to break-in the first-year guard along with Whitmore and Thompson.
Players to watch:
Alperen Sengun: 21.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 5.0 APG, 1.2 SPG
Jalen Green: 19.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.5 APG
Fred VanVleet: 17.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 8.1 APG, 1.4 SPG
OKC Thunder
The OKC Thunder played their first pre-season game against the San Antonio Spurs and won even without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Jalen Williams was the leading scorer among the starters with 18 points, while Ajay Mitchell came off the bench with 19. Another notable performance came from Dillon Jones, who finished the game with 17 points.
During the off-season, the Thunder made a splash by acquiring backup center Isaiah Hartenstein from the New York Knicks. He played 18 minutes and contributed four points, eight rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and one block.
Players to Watch:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 21.4 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 3.6 BPG
Jalen Williams: 18.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.7 SPG
Chet Holmgren: 15.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.1 APG
Houston Rockets Vs OKC Thunder Injury Report
Houston Rockets
No injuries to report
OKC Thunder
Nikola Topic PG Out for season – ACL
Houston Rockets Vs OKC Thunder Summary and Prediction
This will be an exciting matchup, even if their star players don’t play. Expect a run-and-gun game from both teams, with the total going over. The OKC Thunder should win this game with their depth and the spread will be covered.
Moneyline: Thunder -190
Spread: Thunder -4.5
Total: Over 224
Score: 110-103, Spurs win.
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