Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) brings the ball up the court during a preseason game against the Utah Jazz at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

The Houston Rockets visit the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday to open the NBA season. Tip-off from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC / Peacock). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NBA odds around the Rockets vs. Thunder odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

2024-25 season series: Oklahoma City won 3-2 (including In-Season Tournament win)

Houston added future Hall-of-Fame F Kevin Durant in the off-season in a trade with the Phoenix Suns after a first-round playoff upset vs. the Golden State Warriors. The Rockets also signed free agent F Dorian Finney-Smith to strengthen what was already maybe the deepest room of defensive wings in the NBA, although he will miss the opener with an injury.

The defending champion Thunder head into their ring ceremony looking very similar to the night they won that ring. The Thunder focused their summer on re-signing their current players and fine-tuning their roster.

Last season, Oklahoma City swept Houston when playing in OKC and won 2 of those games by 15 or more points. OKC was also 2-1 ATS in those 3 wins while the Over hit 4 times in those 5 matchups.

Watch the NBA on Fubo!

Rockets at Thunder odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 11:08 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Rockets +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Thunder -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Rockets +7.5 (-115) | Thunder -7.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 227.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Rockets at Thunder key injuries

Rockets

(Not yet submitted -- below from ESPN)

  • F Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) out
  • F Jae'Sean Tate (ankle) out

Thunder

  • G Isaiah Joe (knee) out
  • F Jalen Williams (wrist) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

Rockets at Thunder picks and predictions

Prediction

Thunder 112, Rockets 106

Moneyline

PASS.

Even with J-Dub out, the Thunder are the better team and will have likely just as good as a defense as last season. Even if OKC's offense looks rough without Williams, its the defense that always forces turnovers and gets stops more consistently than any other unit in the league that will lead to the win here.

However, the Thunder are not worth the risk of betting on as -300 favorites, so pass and bet on the spread and/or total instead.

Against the spread

BET ROCKETS +7.5 (-115).

Durant makes this Rockets team a lot scarier offensively, and with OKC missing its second-best player it should be easier for this talented new-look Rockets team to cover the spread here. Furthermore, with J-Dub out this Rockets team will have ample bodies to throw at the reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to make his night tougher, and with less offensive help than normal look for it to be hard for this OKC offense to pull away from Houston's defense.

OKC was 2-1 ATS at home against OKC last season.

Over/Under

UNDER 227.5 (-110).

This likely won't be a game where you see Shai and KD going back-and-forth or where both teams trade buckets late in the game, instead it will be one that will be dominated by turnovers and defensive stops. Furthermore, Houston's offense will also be feeling the effects of G Fred VanVleet likely season-ending ACL injury, which took away the team's best shooter, making the Under all the more safer until Houston has a clear point guard and/or finds another 3-point threat.

Be aware the Over hit in both games last season and has cashed in 5 of the last 6 meetings.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Access more NBA coverage:

HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire

This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder odds, picks and predictions

Reporting by Payton Shanks, Sportsbook Wire / Sportsbook Wire

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect