Houston Rockets 2024-25 Season Preview, Predictions, & Odds

The Houston Rockets look to take the next step in their rebuild after finishing 41-41 last season.

NBA futures odds to bet online are available at the BetMGM online sportsbook, including basketball betting odds for NBA champion, division winner, and player awards.

Houston Rockets Futures Odds

Win Total: 43.5

Southwest Division: +600

Western Conference: +3000

NBA Championship: +8000

The Rockets’ NBA championship odds are near the bottom of the league.

Houston’s win total is 12 games higher than last season, as they hit the over on their win total for the first time since the 2017-2018 season.

Houston Rockets Offseason Moves

The Rockets drafted Reed Sheppard with the third overall pick.

Houston Rockets Additions

Houston Rockets Departures

Houston Rockets 2024-25 Betting Prediction

Prediction: Under 43.5 Wins (-105)

I predict that the Rockets will go under 43.5 wins next season.

Alperen Şengün is developing into one of the most well-rounded centers in the league.

A CAREER NIGHT FOR ALPEREN SENGUN 👏

🚀 45 PTS (career high)
🚀 19-32 FGM
🚀 16 REB
🚀 5 STL pic.twitter.com/dDzo76vvF4

— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2024

Şengün is a threat to take his defenders off the dribble and spin his way to the rim for easy layups.

Şengün is adept at finishing off the pick-and-roll as a roll man and barreling through defenders. He also goes to the drop step and push shot down low to beat bigger defenders.

The Rockets center is a terrific playmaker, going to a behind-the-back no-look bounce pass, alley-oop lobs, and the drive and kick.

Jalen Green is a strong finisher at the rim, showcasing incredible explosion on his dunks and finesse on his layups.

Green shot 33.2% from 3-point land on more than seven attempts per game, which is solid but could be improved. However, Green finds a decent amount of success on his stepback jumpers, converting 35.7% of his stepback 3-point attempts and 39.4% of his overall attempts.

Jabari Smith Jr. has a strong jumper both in the mid-range and from 3-point land, possessing great touch on the turnaround jumper. Smith also excels at cutting to the rim but needs to improve his ability to finish on the drive.

Smith has the skill to guard multiple positions and stay sturdy while sticking with his opponent on the perimeter or drive, leading to several steals and blocks.

Amen Thompson is a strong finisher on the drive to the rim, given his explosion and creativity, allowing him to switch speeds on a dime, as evidenced in his Eurostep and ability to go to a floater. He can become an incredibly dangerous scorer if he can improve his handle and 3-point shot, or at least one of these.

Thompson is also an excellent on-ball and help defender, excelling at attacking closeouts, switching, and sticking with his opponent on the drive.

Sheppard relentlessly attacks the rim with a tight dribble, plays the passing lanes, moves off the ball, pushes the ball in transition well, and is adept at creating opportunities for his teammates near the rim and behind the arc, all of which he showcased during the Summer League.

With Cam Whitmore displaying strong driving and finishing skills, 3-point shooting, and defence, and Tari Eason also showing flashes as a strong defender and capable scorer, both as a driver and 3-point shooter, the Rockets are absolutely loaded at the wing position. 

The Rockets will have Fred VanVleet to run the show as the point guard and as a potential mentor to Sheppard. VanVleet, a terrific playmaker, is a threat from downtown and has a strong pull-up jumper off the dribble. Despite his smaller frame, he’s also capable of attacking the rim and finishing through the trees.

Veterans, such as Jeff Green, Steven Adams, and Dillon Brooks will also be in the mix to help establish the culture of the Rockets early on in their rebuild.

Brooks will still likely get a ton of minutes as the Rockets look to bring their young guns along a little more slowly.

Since the Rockets will be heavily prioritizing player development, I expect there to be plenty of growing pains, which is why I think they will finish under their win total this upcoming season.