The Oklahoma City Thunder pulled away late in the game in San Antonio last night as they managed to cool off the Spurs for a 146-132 victory. OKC’s offense has been the highest-scoring in the NBA since teams returned from the NBA All-Star Break, but their defense has been pretty lackluster. The Thunder get the opportunity Monday night to test just how good that offense is and whether or not the defense can get back on track as they host the Houston Rockets.
The Rockets just dropped a 113-103 decision at home on Saturday to the Sacramento Kings, and tonight’s matchup will be just their second game in the last 5 days. Meanwhile, this will be OKC’s third game in 4 days. Regardless of who is better rested, both teams are working through some injuries right now, and depending on who plays, this game could be decided by the bench units.
The Thunder’s bench has been marginally better than Houston’s so far this season, but that’s been especially true since returning from the All-Star Break. OKC’s second unit has played key roles at times in helping the Thunder to win, and that very well could be the opportunity again tonight.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 7 PM CT
Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Television: FanDuel Sports Network, NBATV
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: Cason Wallace
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Jalen Williams
- C: Isaiah Hartenstein
Rockets
- PG: Amen Thompson
- SG: Jalen Green
- SF: Dillon Brooks
- PF: Jabari Smith
- C: Alperen Sengun
Injury Report
Thunder
- Chet Holmgren (sprained left ankle) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Isaiah Joe (lower back soreness) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Ajay Mitchell (sprained right great toe) is OUT.
- Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) is OUT.
Rockets
- Steven Adams (left ankle soreness) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Dillon Brooks (right knee contusion) is QUESTIONABLE.
- N’Faly Dante (G League — two-way) is OUT.
- Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Jack McVeigh (G League — two-way) is OUT.
- Alperen Sengun (lower back soreness) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Amen Thompson (right shoulder soreness) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Fred VanVleet (strained right ankle) is OUT.
- Cody Zeller (not with team) is OUT.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 30-31 against the Rockets in the regular season (21-11 at home, 9-20 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 4 times.
- The Thunder went 2-2 against the Rockets last season (1-1 at home, 1-1 on the road).
- So far this season, the Thunder is 2-1 against the Rockets (2-0 at home, 0-1 on the road).