Zach Thompson details his preview and prediction for the Rockets vs. Thunder matchup as part of Saturday’s NBA slate.

The NBA has some great matchups sprinkled throughout the weekend after a busy week of activity around the NBA trade deadline. With the All-Star break coming up next weekend, teams are getting ready for their final playoff push. In a spotlight matchup this Saturday afternoon on ABC, the Houston Rockets are visiting the Oklahoma City Thunder in what should be a great matchup between two of the top teams in the Western Conference. Let’s take a look at the odds on DraftKings Sportsbook and examine my favorite pick for this Saturday matinee matchup.

On DraftKings Sportsbook, the Thunder are 3.5-point home favorites in the matchup, with the point total set at 214.5. Check out my preview and prediction for today’s Rockets vs. Thunder contest.

Rockets vs. Thunder prediction, preview

This will be the third time these two teams have met this season, with the Thunder winning each of the previous contests. They faced off in OKC on Opening Night, and the Thunder won a one-point game in double-overtime. In the first rematch, the Thunder won again in Houston on January 15, winning 111-91.

This game, though, will definitely have a different feel since the Thunder will be missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal), Ajay Mitchell (abdominal) and Jalen Williams (hamstring). OKC lost its first game since SGA’s injury on Wednesday, falling 116-106 to the Spurs in San Antonio.

The Thunder are 40-12 and still have the best record in the conference, but they had gone 3-4 in their last seven games and lost home outings to the Pacers and Raptors during that span. I don’t think it’s time to panic for the defending champs but they haven’t looked unbeatable lately, and they’ll definitely need some scoring and production from other options while key players are out.

At the trade deadline, the Thunder added Jared McCain, who will likely make his debut on Saturday after not being listed on the injury report.

The Rockets are currently fourth in the conference at 31-19, and they looked to be surging a bit before sputtering earlier this week with home losses to the Celtics and Hornets. They had won five of six before that pair of defeats, including road wins over the Pistons, Hawks and Pacers. They’ve only gone 14-13 on the road this season but have looked better on the road lately.

Kevin Durant returned for those two games at home after missing the team’s road win in Indiana. Alperen Sengun stepped up against the Pacers without Durant but was ejected from Wednesday’s loss to Boston and had a tough game Thursday against Charlotte with just seven points on 3-of-11 shooting.

Sengun and Durant will look to carry the team to a statement win this Saturday with big minutes from Amen Thompson and Tari Eason as well. Eason sat against Charlotte on the second night of the back-to-back but has been productive and involved since returning from his latest injury.

When Houston is at its best, Thompson plays big minutes and contributes in multiple categories, and it should have the regular rotation available on Saturday. Thompson’s production is key against the Thunder’s makeshift backcourt, and he has shown a very high ceiling when he’s able to get involved early.

Find out who else I think will be in expanded roles in this matchup by checking out my top player props for this matchup:

Rockets vs. Thunder pick, best bet

The Thunder at home always seem to play well, but without SGA, Williams and Mitchell, their offense could struggle. I do think options like Cason Wallace, Jaylin Williams, and Aaron Wiggins will be able to step up and help them get through their next few games, but asking them to take down the Rockets will be tough. That’s especially true with Durant back after looking sharp on Thursday.

Durant typically plays well against his former team, and if Sengun gives him a little more help than he did on Thursday, they’ll be a lot for the injury-depleted Thunder to handle. With all the injuries in OKC, the Rockets could have easily been road favorites in this matchup if it wasn’t for their mid-week mishaps against the Celtics and Hornets.

Their two losses make them a great value, though, and I think they’ll be able to go into the Paycom Center and knock off the Thunder this afternoon as the Thunder scuffle into the break before getting right in time for the postseason. The Rockets have the firepower to get a win in this contest, and I’m willing to take them on the Moneyline to get plus-money odds.

Best bet: Houston Rockets Moneyline (+130)