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Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder Preview & Picks – OKC To Cover In NBA Opening Night Win

leigh-copson
3 hours ago
leigh-copson
Leigh Copson 3 hours ago
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  • Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder picks for Tuesday, October 21
  • Game is taking place at Paycom Center
  • Preview, predictions, stats & form
(Getty Images)
    Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder Preview & Picks
  • Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder Preview & Picks
  • Head To Head
  • Houston Rockets Form
  • Oklahoma City Thunder Form

Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder Preview & Picks

Oklahoma City are tipped to cover as they open their title defence with a victory.

The Thunder have retained all of the key pieces from last season’s championship-winning team, and they have a strong recent record when hosting Houston.

  • Oklahoma City Thunder covered in 37 of their home games last season (2 pushes)
  • Oklahoma City Thunder are 5-1 in last 6 meetings at home
  • Oklahoma City Thunder are 4-2-0 ATS in their last 6 wins over Houston
  • The Over has cashed in 5 of the previous 6 meetings

Head To Head

  • Oklahoma City Thunder lead the all-time series 152-140
  • Houston Rockets won 125-111 when the two teams last met on April 4

Houston Rockets Form

Houston enter the new season looking to build on their brief playoff appearance in the 2024/25 campaign.

The Rockets were postseason fixtures between 2013 and 2020, but fell right out of the playoff picture during the 2020/21 season as they went just 17-55.

They failed to rebound over the next three seasons, resulting in the firing of head coach Stephen Silas after a 2022/23 season that saw them finish 22-60.

Houston appointed Ime Udoka and in his first season in charge he got them back to .500 with a 41-41 campaign.

The Rockets them improved on that last time around as they went 52-30 to end their playoff drought, only to lose 4-3 to Golden State in the first round of the postseason.

Oklahoma City Thunder Form

Oklahoma City enter the new campaign as the defending NBA champions, having claimed the crown for the first time since 1978.

The Thunder ended a three-year playoff absence in 2024 as they made it to the conference semi-finals, only to lose in six games to Dallas.

There would be no such disappointment last season though, once they had booked their playoff place with a dominant 68-14 record.

Oklahoma City swept Memphis in four games in the first round, and then won a marathon seven-game showdown with Denver before ruthlessly taking out Minnesota in five games.

The Thunder then claimed the championship in thrilling fashion, coming out on top in a seven-game showdown with Indiana in the NBA Finals.

Verdict

Oklahoma City dominated during the regular season and they have brought all of their stars back for 2025/25.

We expect them to make an early statement in their quest for back-to-back titles.

Best Bet1: Oklahoma City -6.5 Spread @-111.11 at Stake.us - 4 Units
Best Bet2: Over 227.5 Total Points @-111.11 at Stake.us - 2 Units
Oklahoma City -6.5
Spread
@-111.11 - 4 Units
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Bet at Stake.us
Over 227.5
Total Points
@-111.11 - 2 Units
55 Stake Cash no deposit & 550,000 Gold Coins & 5% Rakeback
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Sign up with the code NEWBONUS. When you verify your account get 25 Stake Cash for free PLUS 250,000 Gold Coins and 5% Rakeback! No deposit required. Login each day for the next 30 days and get an additional 30 Stake Cash AND 300,000 Gold Coins. 21+ only. T&Cs apply. Excludes WA, NY, NV, ID, KY, MI, VT, NJ, DE, WV, PA, RI & MD.

Bet at Stake.us