Since taking over as head coach of the Houston Rockets two seasons ago, Ime Udoka has made an immediate impact. Udoka took over a team that went 22-60 the season before he arrived and led it to a mark of 41-31.
Last season, Houston improved to 52-30 and in the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season. Now, the Rockets are catching the attention of the gambling community.
Houston is getting more future market action than it has in five years. However, the team favored most is the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Oklahoma City hosts Houston in the NBA season opener on October 21, marking the return of NBC as the league's lead television partner.
Considering the matchup, national network telecast, and it being opening night, gambling action will be hot and heavy!
Explore the latest NBA betting lines, odds, and predictions for this week.
NBA Betting Lines
Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder Betting at Bookmaker
On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Houston Rockets at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK, to open the NBA season. Tipoff time is at 7:30 p.m. ET with television coverage on NBC.
Oddsmakers opened with the Rockets as 8-point road dogs and the Thunder as 8-point home favorites.
The Rockets are +260 moneyline dogs with the Thunder as -325 moneyline favorites.
The Rockets and Thunder opened with a total of 225.5.
Houston Rockets
Future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant arrives from Phoenix. Durant is a 2-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors and is a 15-time NBA All-Star. Durant won the NBA Finals MVP award two times. Last year, he averaged 26.6 points per game, remaining a valuable asset.
Alperen Sengun has emerged as one of the top centers in the NBA. Last year, Sengun averaged 19.1 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. In the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Sengun averaged 11.9 rebounds and 20.9 points per game.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder as the marquee man in OKC. Last year, he was the NBA Finals MVP and is a 3-time NBA All-Star. Alexander was a dominant asset with 32.7 points per game. In the 2025 NBA Playoffs, he averaged 29.9 points per game.
Sam Presti must be considered one of the top executives in pro sports. Presti earned a well-deserved NBA Executive of the Year Award in 2025 after the NBA championship. He has been the general manager of this franchise since 2007.
Rockets at Thunder Betting Trends
The Thunder covered the spread in 16 of its most recent 20 home games. Four of the last seven Oklahoma City home games went under the total.
Houston covered the spread in only four of its most recent ten games on the road. Additionally, the Rockets have gone over the total in six of their last nine away games.
In the series between Oklahoma City and Houston, the Rockets covered the spread in four of their most recent six games against the Thunder. Houston and Oklahoma City went over the total in five of their last six meetings.
Specifically in Oklahoma City, the Thunder covered 13 of their most recent 17 games against the Rockets. Additionally, the Thunder and the Rockets have gone under the total in three of their last five meetings at Oklahoma City.
Rockets at Thunder Bookmaker Best Bets
In this situation, Houston should draw enhanced betting value against a casual sector loading up on the Thunder at home.
Oklahoma City will raise its championship banner while drawing enormous amounts of square money as the power home favorite.
Houston is a strong team at a good price.
Main Pick: Houston Rockets
Over/Under Pick: Over the Total
Player Prop Picks: Kevin Durant Over the Points Scoring Total
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