Rockets vs Thunder Betting Preview: OKC Favored Amidst Stars’ Absences

Betting Lines Shortening on Thunder

The Houston Rockets’ prized rookie, Amen Thompson is out of the Summer League. But even with his absence, this team remains one of the most talented as far as young stars are concerned. Still, they will be underdogs taking on Chet Holmgren’s Oklahoma City Thunder. The Rockets vs Thunder betting preview sees the betting lines trending towards OKC as their spread widens from its opener of -2.5 all the way to -5.5 where it currently sits, along with a (ML of +180/-220). The total sits at (183.5 -110)

Houston’s “Big Three” of the Summer

It’s a shame for Thompson, but Houston backers need not be worried as the team still has three of its best players in sophomores Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason and rookie Cam Whitmore.

Smith has lit up the Summer League with 71 points in his last two games. Against Detroit, he scored 38 points on 25 shots. He’s also hauled in 14 total rebounds. If this strong play is a sign of things to come, he can live up to his status as the no. 1 prospect of the 2022 class.

As for Eason and Whitmore, both had a double-double in Houston’s game against Portland then scored 20+ against Detroit. If they continue to tear up summer along with Smith, NBA trends could adjust to start favoring Houston more in their games.

Whitmore is playing with a chip on his shoulder as he went from being projected to be a top-five draft pick to being selected 20th overall.

“[Cam] is so locked in and he is so competitive, he’ll figure out who’s working out at what time for me the following day and he’ll want to come an hour early,” NBA/Pro Skills Trainer Aaron Miller said of Whitmore. “He wants to know how many shots that player put up and he wants to do more”.

Indeed, it’s a strong start for the trio as they bested two talented teams in Portland and Detroit. The Thunder should present more of a challenge if the Rockets vs Thunder betting preview is any indication. They could be due for a regression. Or they can keep rolling and further elevating their stock as NBA prospects.

Holmgren and Wallace Ready For Encore

The Rockets miss Thompson and the Thunder still have Jalen Williams, among others, on the injury report. Even without 2022’s 12th overall pick, the Thunder rolled past Dallas on the strength of a combined 36 points from Holmgren and Cason Wallace.

Holmgren made his Las Vegas Summer League debut and did not disappoint as he posted 16 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks while shooting 50% from the floor. Wallace, the Thunder’s first-round pick this year, led the team with 20 points while hitting 6-of-10 from 3-points.

Others like Ousmane Dieng, Jaylin Williams, and Tre Mann also contributed and were factors in OKC’s win. Despite the Rockets’ stellar Big Three, the Thunder should have a deeper roster hence why they’re favored per the Rockets vs Thunder betting preview odds.

This is a team that has an embarrassment of riches as far as draft picks. Ten of them are currently on the Summer League squad including five being first-rounders. Jaylin Williams is a second-round pick with 49 games of NBA experience.

The focus will continue to be on Holmgren. He can get better as the Summer League goes on (assuming he does not get shut down). Having taken a season off, the second-overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft is still working some rust out. But when he starts to get going, he’ll figure to be one of the best NBA players this season.

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