Thunder Game Day: OKC Looking for First Win in Houston Since 2021

The Thunder will look to extend their winning streak in a matchup of two of the youngest teams in the league.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will look to keep their winning streak alive in a place that has not been kind to them.

The Thunder will try to get their first win against the Houston Rockets on Sunday after losing the first matchup in Houston earlier this season. The two teams come into the game with vastly different outlooks for the end of the season.

After a solid start, Houston has cooled off dramatically and looks certain to finish outside of the top 10 in the West. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City is tied for first in the conference and will look to take care of business in games like this as it fights for seeding.

Alonzo Adams / USA TODAY Sports

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 5.5-point favorites against the Rockets, and the total over/under is 234.5 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

The first matchup between the teams in late November was largely decided by the 3-point shot. The Thunder shot 27% from outside, while the Rockets shot 45%.

Although the outside shot was perhaps the most significant factor, the Thunder’s inability to help Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was jarring. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren combined to score 17 points on 7-of-22 shooting.

That should not be a problem on Sunday. With the Thunder's ascent to the top of the West, Williams and Holmgren have consistently played elite basketball on both ends.

For Holmgren, winning the matchup against Alperen Sengun could determine how well the Thunder play throughout the night. Although they are two of the best young bigs in the league, Sengun needs to play well against the Thunder rookie to give his team a chance of winning.

Since returning from the All-Star break, the Thunder have had two blowout wins at home. While this game is not against elite competition, it is the Thunder’s first road test in nearly two weeks, making it an important contest.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (39-17) vs. Houston Rockets (25-31)

INJURIES:

Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game day injury report that will release later today.

WHEN:

Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024, at 6 PM CT

LOCATION:

Toyota Center - Houston, TX

TV/RADIO:

Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

Live Stream: fuboTV (Start Your Free Trial)

FINAL WORD:

If the Thunder can win in Houston, they will get their 40th win before their 20th loss to meet Phil Jackson’s contender rule. With the Thunder’s schedule to end February, extending their winning streak to the largest of the season is in play.

The Thunder will get a second straight look at the Rockets in Oklahoma City on Tuesday for a nationally televised matchup.

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