The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets made it to their second ever NBA Cup game in Las Vegas. The artist’s semifinal round was formerly known as the in-season tournament. A win tonight would catapult the Thunder or Rockets into the NBA Cup Championship and enter their 83rd game to try to become the second-ever tournament champions of the season.

The loser of this match will have to take a short break before their next scheduled game, which is on Thursday for both sides.

Oklahoma City and Houston tangoed five games ago, with the Rockets picking up a narrow win at home. The Thunder have not lost since that date and are on a four-game winning streak. Houston is on a two-game winning streak.

A battle between the league’s two best defenses and the Western Conference’s two best squads should highlight the competition the league craves.

The Thunder enter the day as 5.5-point favorites against the Rockets, and the total over/under is 213 points.

The Pklahoma City Thunder need to find a source of offense in someone other than Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Rockets’ defense is difficult to break down and the stagnant offense of the Thunder’s bench unit could make it an uphill battle.

Houston rarely turns the ball over and is one of the league’s best squads at protecting the rock, with the fewest passes per game in the NBA. The Rockets won the ball against the devastating Thunder defense in their final battle, which was the key to their victory. The Thunder have to be a chance when these rare turnovers occur. Likewise, Oklahoma City must avoid turnovers without being able to rely on its one-sided margin.

If the Thunder can start well from beyond the arc, Houston doesn’t have the reliable scorers to get them back into the game.

Sengun is the straw that breaks the camel’s back for the Rockets’ offense. The thunder swarming around him and making him uncomfortable — without fouling up the big guys — could prove disastrous for Houston.

Oklahoma City Thunder (19-5) vs. Houston Rockets (17-8)

Oklahoma City Thunder:

Houston Rockets:

Dillon Brooks (Illness) Questionable

Check back later today for an updated injury report.

Saturday, December 13, 2024, 7:30 p.m. CT

T-Mobile Center – Las Vegas, NV

The winner of that game will play their 83rd game of the season on Tuesday against the winner of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the Milwuakee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks. The loser has days off until the next scheduled game. If they lose, the Thunder wouldn’t play again until Thursday.

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