Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets Prediction & Picks - NBA
USA - NBA
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by Paul Tamayo | in NBA Picks
The Houston Rockets visit the Oklahoma City Thunder in an NBA 2025-26 game on October 21, Tuesday, at the Paycom Center.
It's opening night of the NBA, and it's the much-awaited ring night for the Thunder. Fresh from winning the franchise's first championship, the Thunder are bringing back the entirety of its core from last year.
This is still the same Thunder team that ranked 3rd in offensive rating (120.3) and 1st in defensive rating (107.5). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning league MVP, averaged a league-best 32.7 points on top of 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.7 steals.
The challenge for the Thunder early in the season could be on Jalen Williams' wrist injury. The All-Star forward underwent surgery for his injured right wrist, and he's still listed day-to-day in the team's injury report. It's still uncertain if Williams will suit up on Tuesday's game against the Rockets.
Speaking of the Rockets, they'll be welcoming former MVP and champion Kevin Durant to their camp. It could be a perfect fit, as the defensive-minded Rockets only ranked 13th in offensive rating (115.3) last season.
However, the Rockets will be missing the services of starting guard Fred VanVleet, who suffered a Torn ACL injury during the summer.
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Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets Form
Table
| Teams | % | P | W | L | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
0.78 | 82 | 64 | 18 | |
|
8
|
0.634 | 82 | 52 | 30 | 1 |
Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets Latest Matches
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
Jun 22, 2025 - NBA
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5/6 (83%)
1/6 (17%)
Jun 22, 2025 - NBA
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May 28, 2025 - NBA
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2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
Jun 19, 2025 - NBA
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2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
Jul 13, 2025 - NBA Summer League
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Apr 30, 2025 - NBA
Apr 28, 2025 - NBA
Apr 26, 2025 - NBA
2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
Jul 13, 2025 - NBA Summer League
May 4, 2025 - NBA
Apr 30, 2025 - NBA
Apr 23, 2025 - NBA
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Apr 13, 2025 - NBA
2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
May 2, 2025 - NBA
Apr 28, 2025 - NBA
Apr 26, 2025 - NBA
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Apr 6, 2025 - NBA
Oklahoma City Thunder against Houston Rockets : Head to Head (H2H)
50 %
50 %
Apr 4, 2025 - NBA
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Dec 14, 2024 - NBA
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Players list
C. Wallace
L. Dort
A. Thompson
J. Smith Jr.
K. Durant
Substitutes
C. Youngblood
B. Barnhizer
A. Mitchell
A. Wiggins
A. Caruso
J. Williams
O. Dieng
J. Davison
K. Harris
A. Holiday
J. Okogie
R. Sheppard
J. Green
T. Eason
D. Finney-Smith
J. Tate
Oklahoma City Thunder - Houston Rockets Key Points
- The Thunder ranked 3rd in offensive rating (120.3) and 1st in defensive rating (107.5) last season.
- The Rockets ranked 13th in offensive rating (115.3) and 4th in defensive rating (110.8) last season.
- The Thunder could miss the services of Jalen Williams (wrist).
- The Rockets will miss the services of Fred VanVleet (ACL).
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Our Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets Prediction
It's ring night for the newly-crowned champions, but Kevin Durant and the Rockets could spoil the fun. Even with the injury to Fred VanVleet, this is still a stacked Rockets squad, especially with the emergence of Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson.
Of course, the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder still own the advantage, but the Rockets have what it takes to keep this game close. Our prediction for the Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets match is: Rockets (+7.5) cover the spread.All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
