The Oklahoma City Thunder (47-33) welcome the Houston Rockets (53-28) to Chesapeake Energy Arena to commence their Western Conference schedules. Action gets underway at 9:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, and can be seen on TNT.
Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Odds
In the Rockets’ last matchup, they easily covered the 18.5-point spread against the Phoenix Suns, 149-113. The Thunder, on the other hand, defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves,132-126, but failed to cover as 6.5-point favorites. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Houston game finished 39.5 points over the projected point total of 222.5, while the Oklahoma City game finished 28.5 points over the projected point total of 229.5.
Houston played a nearly flawless game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.1 (above their season average of 22.8) and a turnover percentage of 7.6 (better than their season average of 11.5). Phoenix put up marks of 16.7 and 11.3, respectively, for those same stats. The Thunder, on the other hand, had a fantastic offensive rebounding percentage of 35.0 (above their season average of 25.9) and had a better turnover percentage (11.2 vs. 11.7). Russell Westbrook had a huge outing for Oklahoma City, accumulating 27 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds on his way to his 31st triple-double of the season. Meanwhile, James Harden fueled Houston with 30 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.
The Thunder lead the season series two games to one. The two teams combined to put up 229 points in their most recent game, which was under the projected point total of 238. Oklahoma City won 117-112, covering as a 3-point underdog. Oklahoma City had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (27.3 vs. 14.6). Houston, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (10.8 vs. 15.7). Paul George put up a double-double in the victory with 45 points and 11 rebounds.
Of the Rockets’ 81 games, 40 have finished under the projected point total. Houston holds records of 53-28 straight up (SU) and 40-38-3 against the spread (ATS).
Vegas has been spot on when predicting totals of Thunder games, with an even split between overs and unders. Further, Oklahoma City is 47-33 SU and 40-40 ATS.
Conflicting tempos will be on display in this contest. Oklahoma City has preferred to play fast (second in possessions per game), while Houston has been more methodical (22nd in possessions per game). Moreover, the second-ranked offense of the Rockets (offensive efficiency of 113.3) will square off against the fifth-ranked defense of the Thunder (defensive efficiency of 105.4).
Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ATS Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Rockets, ATS Winner – Rockets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Thunder rank 22nd in assists per game (23.2) while the Rockets rank 27th (21.3).
- Oklahoma City ranks fifth in points in the paint per game (52.0) while Houston ranks last (42.2).
- The Thunder average 15.6 second chance points per game, which ranks second in the league. The Rockets rank 18th in second chance points allowed per game (13.6).
- Houston ranks first in three pointers attempted per game (45.3) while Oklahoma City ranks 14th (32.3).
- Oklahoma City ranks fifth in fast break points per game (17.9) while Houston ranks 18th (12.0).
- The Thunder rank third in rebounds per game (47.9) while the Rockets rank 28th (42.1).
- The Thunder rank first in points off turnovers per game (19.4) while the Rockets rank 14th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.4).
- Houston averages 8.5 steals per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. Oklahoma City ranks 23rd in steals allowed per game (8.2).
- Houston is 15-2 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Oklahoma City is 11-0.
- The Thunder are 43-26 when they score more than 100 points, while the Rockets are 50-19.
- Houston is 17-22-1 ATS on the road, while Oklahoma City is 20-20 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 21 of the Thunder’s 40 home games, while 22 of the Rockets’ 40 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Rockets are 5-0 ATS over their last five games, while the Thunder are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Houston has 3 overs, 1 under and 1 push, while Oklahoma City has 3 overs and 2 unders.
- During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 130.6 points per game (16.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 105.0 points per game (4.1 below their season average).
- The Thunder’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.4, up from 3.3 for the season.
