For the second time in three days, the Oklahoma City Thunder is set to take on the Houston Rockets, but this time, they’re playing Oklahoma City. Just two nights ago, the Thunder and the Rockets went back and forth for three quarters, but OKC took a 4-point lead into the fourth quarter and turned it into a double-digit difference in a matter of minutes as the Thunder cruised to a 123-110 victory over the Rockets.
Despite Houston’s record of 25-32, the Rockets have shown signs of growth this season, and while they are still a bit behind OKC in the rebuild process, they cannot be overlooked. Beating a good team twice in three nights is a difficult ask, but the Thunder should be able to get another victory against the Rockets if they can play with the same level of intensity that they have put on display of late, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 9 PM CT
Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Television: TNT
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Houston Rockets Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Josh Giddey
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Jalen Williams
- C: Chet Holmgren
Rockets
- PG: Fred VanVleet
- SG: Jalen Green
- SF: Dillon Brooks
- PF: Jabari Smith
- C: Alperen Sengun
Injury Report
Thunder
- Ousmane Dieng is OUT (G League — on assignment).
- Adam Flageler is OUT (G League — two-way).
- Keyontae Johnson is OUT (G League — two-way).
Rockets
- Steven Adams is OUT (PCL surgery on right knee).
- Tari Eason is OUT (lower left leg injury management).
- Nate Hinton is OUT (G League — two-way).
- Jermaine Samuels Jr. is OUT (G League — two-way).
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 27-29 against the Rockets in the regular season (18-10 at home, 9-19 on the road) and 7-9 against the Rockets in the playoffs (5-2 at home, 2-7 on the road).
- The Thunder has won the season series with the Rockets 7 times, lost it 5 times, and tied 3 times.
- The Thunder went 2-2 against the Rockets last season (2-0 at home, 0-2 on the road).
- The Thunder is 1-1 against the Rockets so far this season (0-0 at home, 1-1 on the road).
- The Thunder has won 4 of the last 5 against the Rockets in Oklahoma City.