NBA Cup Same-Game Parlay for Rockets vs. Thunder
The NBA Cup returns with a semifinal battle featuring the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder. These teams already have bad blood between them, so the enhanced NBA Cup atmosphere in Las Vegas should crank up the intensity to maximum levels.
Keep reading for an NBA Cup same-game parlay for this Rockets versus Thunder matchup, and bet with your favorite sportsbook apps.
Contents
Rockets vs. Thunder Same-Game Parlay
- Jalen Green Under 16.5 Points (+100)
- Isaiah Hartenstein 10+ Rebounds (-240)
Parlay Odds: +164 FanDuel
Jalen Green Under 16.5 points
Oklahoma City’s historic defense is especially cruel to opposing guards because the Thunder own numerous elite point-of-attack stoppers. Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace can stick to Jalen Green like glue and force heavily contested shots all game. There’s no weak link to target for a switch, either.
Due to their superb perimeter defense, the Thunder have given up the second-fewest points per game to pick-and-roll ball handlers. That’s concerning for Green since a whopping 36.3% of his total points have come from running pick and rolls.
Check out Green’s stats this season against current top-five defenses versus pick-and-roll ball handlers:
- Nine points on 2-of-6 shooting against OKC
- 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting against OKC
- Seven points on 2-of-13 shooting against Golden State
- 12 points on 5-of-15 shooting against Golden State
- 14 points on 4-of-16 shooting against Golden State
He’s averaging 11.2 points on a 28.1 FG% in those matchups!
Meanwhile, the Thunder have also surrendered the second-fewest points per game at the rim and the fourth-fewest points per game in transition. It’s simply an awful matchup for Green.
Plus, Oklahoma City and Houston love to roll in the mud and play an extremely physical brand of basketball. I expect officials to let them scrum given that it’s an NBA Cup battle on national television, which would mean less free-throw potential for Green.
Isaiah Hartenstein 10+ Rebounds
The offseason acquisition is averaging 12.8 rebounds per game, and his 20.8 rebound chances per game rank third in the NBA behind only Nikola Jokic and Domantas Sabonis.
He’s the only active big for the Thunder, which means less competition for minutes and rebounds from teammates. Houston’s clunky offense checks in at 27th in FG%, so look for plenty of defensive rebound opportunities.
The Rockets’ elite defense may force more misses than usual for OKC’s offense, thus leading to more offensive boards for Isaiah Hartenstein. He owns the 14th best offensive rebound percentage in the league.
Overall, Hartenstein has notched 10+ rebounds in eight of nine games this season, including a 13-rebound performance against Houston on Dec. 1.
