Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets odds, picks and predictions - Sportsbook Wire

The Oklahoma City Thunder (4-1) and Houston Rockets (5-1) meet for the first time this season on Saturday at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. ET (NBA TV). Let's analyze NBA odds around the Thunder vs. Rockets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

The Thunder won their first 4 games of the season before seeing that winning streak snapped on Wednesday in a 120-96 road loss to the Dallas Mavericks as 5.5-point favorites with the Under (227.5) cashing. They were playing shorthanded and trailed by as many as 27 points.

The Rockets had their 5-game winning streak to start the season snapped on Friday by the Mavericks. The Rockets lost 116-111 as 6.5-point road favorites with the Over (223.5) cashing. Mavs F Cooper Flagg scored 33, and G Kyrie Irving scored 35. The Rockets had an 8-point lead entering the third quarter, and the Mavs outscored them 40-27 in the final period.

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:15 p.m. ET.

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The Thunder continue to be very shorthanded with no Caruso, Holmgren, Wallace or Williams.

Houston is healthier and lost by fewer points to Dallas than the Thunder did in the same week. F Kevin Durant will be a matchup problem for the Thunder.

The Thunder's only loss was by 24 points. The Rockets are 5-0 ATS in their 5 outright wins. The Rockets were 2-1 ATS vs. the Thunder last season. All their wins have been by at least 4 points.

The Over has chased just once in the Thunder's 5 games this season. The Over has cashed in 5 of the Rockets' 6 games.

Since the Thunder failed to score 100 last game and are missing the same players, they will struggle.

McCain went 0-for-6 from three against the Mavs on Wednesday. Twice he has hit 4+ threes in a game this season.

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