Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Odds, Analysis, NBA Betting Pick

The Houston Rockets (49-13) will attempt to extend their season-high winning streak to 16 games Tuesday when they visit the Oklahoma City Thunder (37-28) as small road favorites.

The Rockets sit a half-game ahead of the NBA champion Golden State Warriors for the top seed in the Western Conference, while the Thunder are 13.5 games back in the seventh spot.

NBA point spread: The Rockets opened as 3.5-point favorites; the total is at 223, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

NBA betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 114.8-102.7, Rockets (NBA picks on every game)

Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news.

Why the Rockets can cover the spread

Houston is on fire and playing like the best team in the league, making many experts wonder if Golden State won't make it to the NBA Finals for the first time in four seasons.

The Rockets own two wins over the Warriors during the regular season, and they should be motivated to earn their first victory against the Thunder since last April 25 when they ousted them from the playoffs.

Houston won that first-round series 4-1, going 3-2 against the spread, according to the OddsShark NBA Database, before falling 112-107 in the first meeting this year on December 25.

Why the Thunder can cover the spread

Oklahoma City is fighting for a playoff berth and leads the Denver Nuggets by only one game for the No. 7 seed in the West. The Los Angeles Clippers are lurking 1.5 games behind them as well, so the Thunder know they need to finish strong to make the postseason.

In the last meeting with the Rockets on Christmas Day, Russell Westbrook scored a game-high 31 points while Paul George had 24 and Carmelo Anthony added 20 to help the team cover as two-point home favorites on the Vegas lines.

Chuck Burton/Associated Press

That kind of production again would give Oklahoma City a great shot at ending Houston's 15-game winning streak.

Smart betting pick

The Thunder are the more desperate team right now, while the Rockets will not win the rest of their games this season.

It may not seem like it, but Oklahoma City is catching Houston in the perfect spot and has the confidence of winning the most recent meeting.

While the Rockets are the better team and would likely win another playoff matchup, look for the Thunder to roll to an upset victory and end their opponent's winning streak.

NBA betting trends

Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last five games.

The total has gone under in four of Houston's last six games.

Oklahoma City is 1-5 ATS in its last six games.

All NBA odds and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.