The Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder battle for the rights to play in the championship game of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup. Two teams loaded with young talent look to play in the most important game of the decade for each franchise. Each team has superstar players, with great defensive coaches.

 

 

 

Houston Rockets: See What I Could Pull

The Houston Rockets started playing well last year and that has continued this year. They are currently third in the Western Conference and only 2.5 games back from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Rockets have won seven of their last ten games and have a +6.8 point differential. 

Their offense is actually balanced with Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Jalen Green all capable of having a great offensive night. Their defense is their real strength though. The Rockets only allow 105. 9 points per game, second fewest in the Western Conference.

 

 

 

Oklahoma City Thunder: How Do You Like Me Know?!

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the furthest western team remaining in the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup, geographically speaking. The expression always rings true, ‘The West is Best’. With the recent success it would not be surprising for the Thunder fanbase to make it to Las Vegas. Houston has a football team with a chance to make the playoffs, the Thunder are the state’s only major professional team.

It won’t be the fans that make a difference, but their amazing roster and coaching. Oklahoma City comes into the semifinals of the NBA Cup with the best record, the best point differential, the team that went the furthest in the playoffs last year, and honestly the most complete roster. Earlier this decade they were the laughing stock of the Western Conference. Now at the top of the conference they could be asking Toby Keith’s famous question… How Do You Like Me Now?!

 

 

 

Houston Rockets Starting Lineup

 
Oklahoma City Thunder Starting Lineup

 

 

 

Rockets vs Thunder Predictions & Picks Today: Saturday, 12/14

Both the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder finished last in the Western Conference for two years of this decade.. We are only in the fourth year of this decade, implying they spent half of it as the fourteenth and fifteenth ranked teams. 

Now they are both one win away from advancing to an NBA Championship match. That is an incredible turn around and both Mark Daigneault and Ime Oduka deserve more credit. Two of the top three teams in the Western Conference collide and this game should not disappoint.
 

Rockets vs Thunder Prediction: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 2.5 Threes over (+130 on Bet365) 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the best guard remaining in the NBA Cup, if not the best player. He is one of the best stories of this decade, and has no issue putting the Oklahoma City Thunder on his back. He can take over a game with great defense and elite scoring, and oftentimes is the leading scorer of the game.

His point line is at 30.5 and he should be able to cover it with ease. However there is a possibility that the Houston Rockets double team as soon as he crosses the half court line. If that happens his assists will likely go over and his points go under. 

They could even play him loose around the three point line, but double team him the moment he tries to drive to the rim. That is his strength and they could be happy allowing him to attempt three point field goals throughout the night. That is what Fantasy Alarm is predicting to happen today.

Gilgeous-Alexander has attempted 28 threes in his last four games, and 57 in his last seven games. He has made 3 or more threes in five of his last eight games. If they play him aggressively he could attempt more threes than usual, and should make 3 threes tonight.

Put a unit on the positive odds prediction.