Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets ATS Prediction 02/09/19

Posts AdminArticles, Basketball, NBA

The Houston Rockets (32-22) and their great offense will be 2-point favorites when they welcome the Oklahoma City Thunder (35-19) and their stifling defense. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 235.5 points and it is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 9, 2019.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets ATS Odds

Both teams easily covered as favorites in their last contest. The Rockets (3.5-point favorites) defeated the Sacramento Kings 127-101, while the Thunder (14-point favorites) beat the Memphis Grizzlies 117-95. The Houston game went 8 points under the projected point total of 236, while the Oklahoma City game went 3 points under the projected point total of 215.

Oklahoma City dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a solid turnover percentage of 9.9 (better than their season average of 11.7) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.572 (above their season average of 0.519). For those same stats, Memphis recorded marks of 21.6 and 0.487, respectively. Meanwhile, Houston dominated nearly every facet of their game. They had a solid turnover percentage of 9.2 (better than their season average of 11.9) and a free throw rate of 0.170 (matching their season average). Sacramento was 18.1 and 0.132, respectively, for those same stats. Houston’s James Harden led the way, finishing with 36 points and six rebounds. Russell Westbrook, meanwhile led the way for Oklahoma City with 15 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds to record his seventh triple-double in a row (20th of the year).

The Rockets evened the season series at one with a 113-109 victory in their most recent contest. In the victory, Harden led all scorers with 41 points. Houston’s effective field goal percentage was its biggest strength over Oklahoma City. The Rockets had a rate of 0.526 while the Thunder posted a mark of 0.485. Houston covered as a 1-point underdog and the two teams combined to score 222 points, which was just over the projected point total of 221.

Thunder games have gone over the total 51.9 percent of the time. Oklahoma City holds records of 35-19 straight up (SU) and 31-23 against the spread (ATS).

Vegas tends to place the total low when the Rockets are involved, as 30 of their 54 games have gone over the total. Moreover, Houston is 32-22 SU and 25-28-1 ATS.

This showdown pits one of the NBA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Houston ranks second in offensive efficiency and Oklahoma City is fifth in defensive efficiency. It will also be a tale of two tempos as the up-tempo Thunder rank second in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Rockets rank 26th.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets Odds Pick

NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

  • The Thunder rank 20th in assists per game (23.4) while the Rockets rank 28th (20.6).
  • Oklahoma City ranks second in rebounds per game (47.9) while Houston ranks 27th (41.8).
  • The Thunder rank first in points off turnovers per game (20.8) while the Rockets rank 19th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.2).
  • Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (44.4) while Oklahoma City ranks 17th (30.5).
  • Oklahoma City ranks fourth in fast break points per game (18.5) while Houston ranks 19th (11.5).
  • The Thunder rank fifth in points in the paint per game (52.8) while the Rockets rank 29th (42.9).
  • The Thunder average 14.7 second chance points per game, which ranks third in the NBA. The Rockets rank 18th in second chance points allowed per game (13.7).
  • Houston ranks 11th in blocks per game (5.3) while Oklahoma City ranks 14th in blocks allowed per game (5.0).
  • Oklahoma City ranks first in steals per game (10.3) while Houston ranks 19th in steals allowed per game (7.9).
  • Oklahoma City is 7-0 when they allow less than 100 points, while Houston is 9-2.
  • When reaching the century mark, the Thunder are 33-13 and the Rockets are 30-14.
  • Houston is 15-11-1 ATS at home, while Oklahoma City is 16-12 ATS on the road.
  • The Thunder have 16 unders and 12 overs in 28 road games.
  • Of the Rockets’ 27 home games, they have 18 overs and 9 unders.

Bettings Trends:

  • In their last five games, Oklahoma City and Houston have both had 4 overs and 1 under.
  • The Thunder are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Rockets are 2-3.
  • During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 124.4 points per game (9.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 114.0 points per game (4.3 above their season average).
  • The Rockets’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.4, up from 2.2 for the season.