On an absolutely loaded Thursday NBA slate, one matchup stands out. The defending champion Thunder (34-7, 1st in West) take on the Rockets (23-14, 6th in West) in a battle between contenders. The last time these teams met was on opening night, a dramatic 125-124 OKC win in overtime. Now, Houston will hope to exact some revenge at the Toyota Center.
Are there any names poised for a big performance in this one? The Thunder are favored by 4.5 points (-118) over the Rockets, with the over/under set at 220.5 points. Here are two of the top prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for Thursday’s Oklahoma City vs. Houston matchup.
Thunder vs. Rockets prop bet picks
Cason Wallace 6+ points (-125)
If there’s one thing the Thunder are known for, it’s their defense. Make no mistake: OKC is still one of the NBA’s best on offense. Still, this team prefers to grind out wins rather than outscoring the opposition. Few players embody that mindset better than Cason Wallace. The Kentucky alum is a hard-nosed defender, racking up an impressive 2.2 steals per game. However, his offensive contributions are inconsistent. Through 39 appearances this season, Wallace has recorded 7.3 points on 41/35/77 shooting splits.
OKC’s third-year pro can see his minutes fluctuate from night to night. That makes him a difficult name to trust on most occasions. However, there’s a good chance that Lu Dort (foot) can’t take the floor on Thursday. Should the wing sit out, Wallace would stand to benefit. Even if Dort is active, this isn’t the most intimidating total. Wallace has notched at least six points in 23 of his 39 outings this season. Even against an elite Houston defense, the 22-year-old only needs two or three buckets to cash in tonight.
Steven Adams 8+ rebounds (-120)
Few players in the association are more respected than Steven Adams. The 12-year veteran has carved out a lengthy career thanks to his defense and rebounding. In terms of the latter, he’s still one of the sport’s best on the glass. Through 30 games this season, Adams is hauling in 8.5 rebounds. That includes 4.8 offensive boards per game, second-most in all of basketball. On a deliberate, slow-paced Rockets squad, generating extra possessions is crucial.
A physical, gritty showdown between two rivals is the exact kind of environment Adams should thrive in. It helps that Oklahoma City will be without center Isaiah Hartenstein (calf). That leaves just Chet Holmgren down low, a difficult assignment against Houston’s bigs. The Thunder have allowed the 11th-most rebounds per game (54.5) to opponents this season. In comparison, Adams has secured at least eight boards in 21 of his 30 outings. There’s no reason to think he can’t do so again on Thursday.
