Free NBA Pick: Thunder vs Rockets NBA Odds
Looking for Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Thunder taking on the Rockets on Sunday, March 21st, 2021, at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Thunder Rockets matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(17-24) Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets (11-29)
Date: Sunday, March 21st
Time: 2:00 PM EST
Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
NBA Moneyline Odds: OFF
NBA Betting Odds: Thunder -1
NBA Betting Total: O/U 218
On Sunday, March 21st the Oklahoma City Thunder travel to Texas to play the Houston Rockets in their third and final meeting of the 2020-21 season. Each team has won in the previous matches.
While most teams are jockeying for playoff seeds or trying to get into the play-in tournament these clubs are both desirous of landing the coveted top draft pick.
Last season, the squads played three times with the Thunder taking the series two games to one. The Thunder hold the all-time record having won 115 matches of the 225 played
Oklahoma City Thunder
This game has bigger implications than just losing as the Thunder also own the Rockets’ first-round pick with the huge caveat of the bottom 1-4 protection.
Even if the Rockets continue losing nothing will be decided until those lottery balls are pulled. So, in spite of the Rockets’ current 19-game losing streak and the Thunder winning games they shouldn’t be in the balls could still bounce in OKC’s favor.
These last few games leading up to Thursday are also vital for the Thunder as they’ll look to be active at the deadline with players who they want to trade in order to add to their 18 potential first-round picks jammed in their draft closet already.
Head coach Mark Daigneault has a precarious balancing act to fulfill as he’ll want to showcase Al Horford, Mike Muscala, and potentially other youngsters that could be part of deals at the deadline.
The other side of that equation is not playing those individuals too much to ensure they remain tradable (uninjured). And all this while keeping the team’s goal of losing games a priority in order to tank low enough to nab the top draft pick.
Bazley (shoulder) has missed five games and ise listed as day-to-day. George Hill (thumb) remains out while the trade that brought Meyers Leonard to OKC won’t impact the team as he’s done for the season.
Houston Rockets
You’d think if the Rockets were going to break out of their losing streak the Detroit Pistons would’ve offered the right incentive given it was Christian Wood’s former team.
While he personally had a good game with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds the Rockets still lost for a franchise-worst 19 consecutive losses.
In this match versus the Thunder, Victor Oladipo will get the shot at facing his former club (once removed) and go off as a sort of trade deadline audition. Dipo scored 19 versus the Pistons while John Wall registered 21 points and seven assists but also had seven turnovers.
Jae’Sean Tate (12) and Danuel House Jr. (10) were the other double-digit scorers.
The players who were part of the P.J. Tucker trade to the Bucks were in action as D.J. Augustin and D.J. Wilson got into the match.
Kevin Porter Jr. left the Pistons match with right quad soreness and is listed as day-to-day. Eric Gordon (groin), Danuel House (knee), and Dante Exum (calf) are all out.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The teams are 5-5 in their last 10 head to head meetings
- The Thunder are 6-4- ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings
- Over/Under is 4-6 in the teams last 10 head to head meetings
Free Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets NBA Prediction
Could the Rockets finally break out of the losing streak? Does it benefit the Thunder more to lose this match than win? Sure adds a few curve balls into the equation when picking the winner.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Thunder ATS
I’m leaning toward OKC, however, keep an eye for late-game hinky substitutions. If the Thunder pull a fast one and sit Horford switch up to the Rockets ending the streak.
If you’re looking for more NBA picks like this Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets matchup we’ll be providing 4* free NBA predictions on the blog during the entire 2020-2021 NBA season, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NBA predictions!
Register here for a FREE NBA Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!