ROCKETS VS. THUNDER
How short-handed Rockets will look to upset rolling Thunder
Mar 3, 2025, 4:18 pm
Can Jalen Green lead the Rockets to victory? Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.
The Houston Rockets face a tough challenge Monday night as they take on the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder, who have been one of the NBA’s most dominant teams this season.
The Thunder (49-11) enter the matchup riding an 8-2 stretch over their last 10 games, averaging an impressive 127.6 points per contest. Led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is averaging 32.3 points on 52.4% shooting, Oklahoma City is fresh off a 146-132 win over San Antonio, where Jalen Williams erupted for 41 points.
Houston (37-23) sits fifth in the Western Conference but has been inconsistent lately, going 5-5 over its last 10 outings. Injuries could be a concern, with key contributors like Fred VanVleet (ankle) ruled out and Alperen Sengun (back) listed as day-to-day. Jalen Green, who has been averaging 3.7 made three-pointers per game in his last 10, will need a big performance for Houston to stay competitive.
The Rockets will have to find a way to slow down the Thunder’s potent offense, which ranks among the league’s best from beyond the arc with 14.2 made threes per game. Houston’s defense allows just 12.1 made threes per game, making perimeter defense a key factor in the matchup.
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. EST, with the Thunder entering as a 10.5-point favorite.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.