The start of the 2025-26 NBA season tips off with the defending-champion Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the polarizing Houston Rockets. With a Kevin Durant revenge game of sorts and one that features the electric Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, it’s one that is already exciting even before we break down our best Rockets vs. Thunder predictions.

We’ll even make any of your Rockets vs. Thunder picks more thrilling by providing you with a guaranteed Rebet Social Sportsbook promo code bonus, and with it being legal in EVERY state but ID, LA, MD, MI, MT and NV, it’s perfect for fans in Houston and OKC!

 

 

 

Rockets vs. Thunder Predictions for NBA Opening Night, 10/21

The NBA breaking news of the summer was Kevin Durant joining the Rockets, and the NBA breaking news of this past weekend was Kevin Durant signing a two-year, $90-million extension with the team. No matter where to rank him among the greats, he’s the only player in league history to average 25+ points per game with four different teams.

That type of consistency joining one of the youngest teams to make the playoffs has fans in Houston as hype as ever. Well, perhaps besides fans in OKC. Their extremely inexperienced team did NOT falter in the postseason last year, ultimately hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy. So, we’re sure to see plenty of Rockets vs. Thunder predictions focused on SGA & company.

Seeing a clash of pure scorers in terms of Kevin Durant vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is as thrilling as it gets, and it also has the Rockets vs. Thunder odds with a higher total of the NBA Opening Night doubleheader. One interesting note is that Kevin Durant wasn’t available for a single meeting with OKC last season, so he hasn’t faced them in just under 19 months.

Of course, that certainly doesn’t mean that we haven’t found a spot for the best bet from our Rockets vs. Thunder predictions! 
 

 

 

Rockets vs. Thunder Best Bet: Alperen Sengun to Record a Double-Double (-101 at Rebet)

The Thunder aren’t just the defending champs. The Thunder didn’t just have the best record in the league last season. The Thunder set the NBA record with a +1,055 point differential (+1,247 including playoffs), which helped bettors who backed them, as they led the league in against-the-spread record as well (65-38-2).

Along with no Fred VanVleet for Houston, we’re sure to see plenty of Rockets vs. Thunder predictions backing that trend. Even still, this is one of the most likely Western Conference Finals matchups, as the futures markets have these teams with two of the three shortest odds to make the NBA Finals (Denver Nuggets are the other in the mix).

While we do expect OKC to come out victorious, we see better value elsewhere for your Rockets vs. Thunder picks, and it’s not with Kevin Durant. Instead, it’s with a guy that many fans may not even know, but Houston’s Alperen Sengun is on a trajectory to become one of the NBA’s most discussed big men.

We’re not saying that he’s Nikola Jokic, but he was an unsung hero during the Rockets’ playoff run last year. He led the team in points (20.9), rebounds (11.9), assists (5.3) AND steals (1.9) per game in the postseason, and we see him rolling that momentum over into this regular season.

In four games against OKC last year, he had a double-double in two of them, 11 points and 9 boards in another and still had 31 points in the most recent meeting. Not including the playoffs, he had 45 double-doubles last year as well, so the consistency is there. 

With that in mind, for the best bet from our Rockets vs. Thunder predictions, we’ve got Alperen Sengun to record a double-double (-101 at Rebet).
 

 

 

How To Watch Rockets vs. Thunder NBA Opening Night

As you’d expect with OKC being the defending champs, they get to tip off the new season on their home court - here’s how to watch Rockets vs. Thunder tonight:

  • Where: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK
  • When: 7:30 PM ET on 10/21
  • Watch on TV: NBC
  • Where to stream: Peacock, Sling TV, YouTube TV

 

 

 

Rockets vs. Thunder Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

Also as you’d expect with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company at home, the Rockets vs. Thunder odds for tonight at Rebet Social Sportsbook favor OKC:

 

 

 

Rockets vs. Thunder Injury Report & Latest News

While the LeBron James injury is more recent, one of the biggest of the entire offseason was Houston losing Fred VanVleet for the season with a torn ACL. When looking at the Rockets vs. Thunder injury report, you’ll also see a handful of Houston players listed as day-to-day, but all are expected to be ready to rock.

As for OKC updates, Jalen Williams is recovering from his wrist injury, while Nikola Topic and Kenrich Williams have been ruled out. With the season now underway, be sure to bookmark the Fantasy Alarm NBA injury report for more than just Rockets vs. Thunder injury news.

 

 

 

How To Make Rockets vs. Thunder Picks at Rebet & Claim Your $100 Bonus w/ Promo Code ALARM

Now that you’re locked and loaded with our best Rockets vs. Thunder predictions for NBA Opening Night, here’s how to enjoy the season’s tip-off even more with a guaranteed Rebet promo code bonus:

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Again, this social sportsbook is ideal for fans in both Houston and OKC without legal sports betting, not to mention almost the entire country! Even if you don’t use your 100% purchase match to make Rockets vs. Thunder picks at all, score your guaranteed boost by becoming a new member with our exclusive Rebet NBA promo code ALARM! 
 

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