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%)
Jul 19, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 16, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 15, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 12, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 10, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 8, 2025 - NBA Summer League
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
Jul 19, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 16, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 12, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 5, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jun 22, 2025 - NBA
Jun 16, 2025 - NBA
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
Jul 15, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 10, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 8, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 7, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jun 19, 2025 - NBA
Jun 13, 2025 - NBA
1/6 (17%)
5/6 (83%)
Jul 19, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 17, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 14, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 13, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 11, 2025 - NBA Summer League
May 4, 2025 - NBA
2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
Jul 14, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 13, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 11, 2025 - NBA Summer League
May 4, 2025 - NBA
Apr 30, 2025 - NBA
Apr 23, 2025 - NBA
2/6 (33%)
4/6 (67%)
Jul 19, 2025 - NBA Summer League
Jul 17, 2025 - NBA Summer League
May 2, 2025 - NBA
Apr 28, 2025 - NBA
Apr 26, 2025 - NBA
Apr 11, 2025 - NBA
Oklahoma City Thunder against Houston Rockets : Head to Head (H2H)
50 %
50 %
Apr 4, 2025 - NBA
Mar 3, 2025 - NBA
Dec 14, 2024 - NBA
Dec 1, 2024 - NBA
Nov 8, 2024 - NBA
Mar 27, 2024 - NBA
Players list
C. Wallace
L. Dort
A. Thompson
J. Smith
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.Grab an extra $350 for your Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets wager!

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All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.