Thunder and Rockets: A High-Scoring Showdown Awaits

The NBA season kicks off with an exciting matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets. The game is set to start at 7:30 p. m. ET at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, and it will be broadcast live on NBC and Peacock. The Thunder are favored to win by 6. 5 points, with the moneyline odds at -270. The Rockets, on the other hand, are +220 underdogs. The over/under for total points is set at 227. 5. The Thunder are coming off a championship win and have secured their core players with long-term contracts. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren are all locked in for the next few years. With an average age of 24. 7, the Thunder are one of the youngest teams in the league. The Rockets have made significant improvements, especially with the addition of Kevin Durant. Durant's arrival is expected to boost the team's offensive efficiency, which was ranked 21st in the league last season. Despite losing Fred VanVleet to injury, the Rockets have added depth with new signings like Josh Okogie and JD Davison. Looking at their past matchups, the Thunder's defense allowed an average of 115 points against the Rockets. This suggests that the total points could exceed the current over/under of 227. 5. Additionally, Rockets' player Alperen Sengun has a good chance of exceeding his points and rebounds prop of 27. 5, based on his recent performance. For those looking to bet, the over 227. 5 is a solid pick. Pairing this with Sengun's points and rebounds prop could be a winning strategy, with a potential payout of +214 at DraftKings.