Houston Rockets vs OKC Thunder Prediction and Betting Tips for 2024 Emirates NBA Cup | Dec. 14

The Houston Rockets vs OKC Thunder matchup is one of the two 2024 Emirates NBA Cup semifinals on Saturday. Both teams have similar records with four wins and a loss each in the tournament. In the regular season, OKC leads the West with a 19-5 record, while Houston is third with a 17-8 record.

The two teams have met each other 240 times in the regular season, with OKC holding a 122-118 lead. The two teams have already met twice this season and split those games 1-1. The most recent meeting was on Dec. 1, a game that Houston won 119-116 after Fred VanVleet’s 38 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC with 32 points, eight rebounds and two steals.

Houston Rockets vs OKC Thunder game details and odds

The Houston Rockets vs OKC Thunder NBA Cup West semifinal is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, Dec. 14, at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas. The matchup will be broadcast nationally on TNT. It can also be streamed live on NBA League Pass and FuboTV.

Moneyline: Rockets (+190) vs. Thunder (-230)

Spread: Rockets (+5.5) vs. Thunder (-5.5)

Total (O/U): Rockets -110 (o213.5) vs. Thunder -110 (u213.5)

Editor's note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

Houston Rockets vs OKC Thunder preview

These are two of the youngest teams in the league and are playing as true championship contenders so far this season.

The Rockets reached the semifinal after a narrow 91-90 win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. While the game was criticized a lot because of a controversial call that saw Houston being awarded two free throws with 3.5 seconds left, Houston won it fair and square.

The team was led by Alperen Sengun’s 26 points and 11 rebounds. Jabari Smith Jr. and Jalen Green contributed 15 and 12 points, respectively.

There was nothing controversial about how OKC got here, though. The Thunder dominated the Dallas Mavericks 118-104 on Tuesday. SGA was his usual self with 39 points, eight rebounds and five assists. All starters scored in double digits. Isaiah Hartenstein had a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Houston Rockets vs OKC Thunder betting props

Alperen Sengun’s point total is set at 18.5, just under his season average of 18.8 points. He has scored 20 points or more in three of his past five games, so it’s a good place to go over here.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s points total is set at 30.5, just over his season average of 30.2 points, bet on the over.

Houston Rockets vs OKC Thunder prediction

The oddsmakers favor OKC to get a win and proceed to the final. We predict the same as the Thunder have shown throughout the season that they can excel even when the odds are stacked against them despite injuries.

OKC should cover the spread for a win in a game where the team total should exceed 213.5 points.