NBA Matchups: October 21

HOU @ OKC | GSW @ LAL

Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder

Team Totals: Rockets 109.5, Thunder 117.5

Injury Report: Jalen Williams (O, wrist), Isaiah Joe (O, knee), Dorian Finney-Smith (O, knee), Jae’Sean Tate (O, ankle)

Rockets projected starters: Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams

Thunder projected starters: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein

Udoka quotes: Said he’s optimistic that Jae’Sean Tate can play, said DFS is “a bit behind” from Tate, said his starting lineup will be fluid until everyone is healthy.

Daigneault quotes: Said Chet was really sharp in the preseason finale, said the Chet-Hartenstein combo is “really growing,” said Ousmane Dieng had some great run in the preseason finale.

Stats and Notes: 

*The Rockets are coming in with a ton of momentum after leading the NBA in offensive rating at 123.3 points per 100 possessions during the preseason. They were also sixth in pace to put them at a whopping 130.8 points per game, and it’s not like they shot the lights out at 49/38/85. Plus, their halfcourt offense was fantastic with a 102.2 O rating, which was an issue for them last year, as they ranked 22nd in the NBA. The Rockets will be using a lot of their big lineups, and last year the Steven Adams–Alperen Sengun combo had a +29.9 net rating in 162 minutes together. The Rockets were also a ridiculous rebounding team and led the NBA after the break in TRB%. Houston was also one of the better teams at limiting 3-pointers, and overall their defense ranked fourth in the league. It won’t be easy for the OKC offense, but they were absolutely smashing down the stretch last year with a league-high 122.9 points per 100 possessions after the break. Of course, their defense is one of the best ever with their league-leading 107.4 D rating, including an absurd 90.4 halfcourt D rating. As great as the Rockets looked in the preseason on offense, it’s going to be a grind for them in OKC.

*Amen Thompson is going to get some serious minutes in this one with his 19.0 minutes per first half leading the NBA in the preseason (among guys with two-plus games). Amen will be a huge engine when the Rockets get the defensive rebound, but the matchup isn’t great for him with the Thunder being one of the best transition defenses in the league. His 1-on-1 matchup will likely be one of the toughest with Cason Wallace and Lu Dort on him (expecting Dort to start). The Thunder also have excellent rim protection, and he’ll have some huge foul risk guarding SGA, so it’s one of the toughest spots for Amen he’ll see all season.