Rockets vs. Thunder: 3 Best Bets

For the second time this season, the Houston Rockets will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

After besting the Phoenix Suns on Friday, the Houston Rockets are looking to get a multi-game win streak going for the first time since January 3. 

Houston will host Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight before traveling north to Oklahoma on Tuesday for another game with the Thunder. Houston won the only matchup of the season so far, 110-101.

Dec 6, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Aaron Holiday (0) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) in the second half at Toyota Center / © Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The Thunder have been fortunate all season with injuries, and their injury report is clean tonight. Houston continues to be without Tari Eason and Steven Adams.

Keep it posted here for our three best bets, powered by the lines at SI Sportsbook. 

The Lines

Point spread: Thunder -6.5 (-110)/Rockets +6.5 (-110)

Money line: Thunder (-250)/Rockets (-190)

Over/under: 233.5

Our Picks

Safe pick: Fred VanVleet OVER 6.5 assists (-111)

In two games since coming back from injury, Fred VanVleet has posted five and six assists. On the season, he is averaging 8.1 dimes, so expect him to slowly get back to form, and pass the over on this bet. In his only matchup with the Thunder this year, he posted nine assists, so there is a record of him doing well against OKC. 

Opponent pick: Chet Holmgren UNDER 15.5 points (-125)

Holmgren only posted four points on two-of-nine shooting in the previous matchup but is averaging 16.4 points over his last five games. However, the Rockets have a physical defense down low with Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun, and lengthy wing defenders in Amen Thompson and Dillon Brooks, none of whom mind getting physical, Holmgren will have some trouble getting quality shots off.

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Team pick: UNDER 233.5 total points (-118)

In the last game with the Thunder, the two teams combined for only 211 points. Since the All-Star break, both of Houston's games have come in under this line, but neither of the Thunder's games has, so while we're leaning with the under, it will take a solid defensive effort from Houston to slow down the Thunder.