by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Nov 29, 2021
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Where to watch: AT&T SportsNet-Southwest, Bally Sports Oklahoma
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Rockets -2
BetMGM: Rockets -2.5
Caesars: Rockets -2.5
Season record
Thunder: 6-13
Rockets: 3-16
Larry Ness had a productive 5-1-0 run in the NBA this week, and with the calendar turning to December soon it’ll be time to close 2021 strong. Catch Larry’s and other plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
Thunder - Rockets preview and analysis
Recent form
Thunder: lost five straight; lost 101-99 vs. Wizards on Friday
Rockets: won two straight; won 146-143 (OT) vs. Hornets on Saturday
The Houston Rockets will try to win their third straight game on Monday when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center.
Houston had lost 15 of 16 to begin the season after losing 15 in a row. In winning the Michael Jordan Bowl (trademark that tomorrow because it’s awesome), the Rockets are on a small winning streak with a 5-point win over the Chicago Bulls and then a 3-point win in overtime over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.
The Rockets had all five starters score in double figures led by Christian Wood’s double-double of 33 points and 16 rebounds. Kevin Porter Jr. had one of his best games of the season with 23 points and 12 assists, while Eric Gordon also chipped in with 22.
"It feels great to get a win," said Wood on Saturday. "We went a month without winning a game. We haven't seen that winning energy in the locker room so it's good to see it. Now we have that winning momentum, and we need to just carry it over."
In an unusual offensive explosion, the Rockets shot 53.7 percent from the floor and hit 23 3-pointers and had 36 assists in total.
"We were moving the ball, taking open shots and making open shots," Rockets coach Stephen Silas said. "Once a few go, you're feeling a lot more confident about shooting your shot. We're feeling pretty confident shooting right now."
The Rockets have gone 3-1 against the spread after failing to cash in the previous five. Houston was getting 5.5 points against Charlotte and got 9.5 against Chicago with a winning margin of 14.5.
This will be the first time Houston has been favored since Nov. 10 when the Rockets were 2.5-point favorites in a 112-104 loss to the Detroit Pistons.
The Thunder, despite their losing struggles, have become betting darlings over the last 10. Oklahoma City has covered six straight and is 8-2 in its last 10. Oklahoma City was actually favored in the last meeting at home, a 101-89 win over the Rockets in which the Thunder were 3-point favorites.
That was also OKC’s last straight-up victory. The Thunder have lost five straight since then and are coming off a 2-point loss to the Washington Wizards despite five players scoring in double figures led by Lu Dort’s 21.
"We've been in a lot of these and we're gonna learn over time how to close out late games," said OKC first-round pick Josh Giddey after the game. "Though it hurts now to lose these tight ones, we'll grow from it. The good thing about the NBA is you can't dwell on one game."
Prediction
The Rockets will not have Jalen Green for a few more games but it’s been very impressive to see Houston win these two games without their star rookie. Wood is capable of replicating that performance against a questionable OKC front court. Houston keeps the good times going at home in a close one. Rockets by 6
Betting trends
The Thunder are 5-0 ATS in their last five following an ATS win.
The Rockets are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 following an outright win.
The under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Houston.
Projected starting lineup
Thunder:
PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG: Josh Giddey
SF: Luguentz Dort
PF: Darius Bazley
C: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
SF: Luguentz Dort
PF: Darius Bazley
C: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
Rockets:
PG: Kevin Porter Jr.
SG: Garrison Mathews
SF: Eric Gordon
PF: Jae’Sean Tate
C: Christian Wood
SF: Eric Gordon
PF: Jae’Sean Tate
C: Christian Wood
Key injuries
Thunder: Kenrich Williams (ankle, out)
Rockets: Jalen Green (hamstring, out), John Will (out)
Statistical leaders
Thunder:
Points: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander -- 20.1
Rebounds: Josh Giddey -- 7.3
Assists: Josh Giddey -- 5.7
Rockets:
Points: Christian Wood -- 16.4
Rebounds: Christian Wood -- 11.3
Assists: Kevin Porter Jr. -- 5.8
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
