After dispatching the Spurs by 21 points, the Thunder immediately receives another chance to knock off a Western Conference contender when it travels to Houston. 

Isaiah Hartenstein remains out for this contest, while Luguentz Dort is questionable to play. On the other side, the Rockets will be without Tari Eason and Dorian Finney-Smith. 

Here are three key matchups to monitor. 

When opponents face the Rockets, the first thing they must account for is Houston’s presence on the glass. Clint Capela and Steven Adams rank first and second across the NBA among qualified players in offensive rebounds per 75 possessions, while Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson also rank 39th and 49th in this stat. 

Overall, Houston grabs 41.2% of available offensive rebounds, which comfortably leads the league. The difference between the Rockets and second place is about equal to the difference between second and ninth. 

Isaiah Hartenstein is easily the Thunder’s best rebounder and strongest player, so he will be sorely missed in this contest. Chet Holmgren, Jaylin Williams, Kenrich Williams and Branden Carlson must be physical and box out tonight. Otherwise, Houston’s offense may steal the game through second chance points. 

Amen Thompson made the All-Defensive First Team last season. He’s arguably the most athletic player in the NBA and has excellent size at 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot wingspan. Essentially, Thompson classifies as a hyper-elite defender who is built in a lab to defend Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. 

According to matchup data, Thompson has directly defended Gilgeous-Alexander for 123 possessions in his career. During those reps, he held Oklahoma City’s superstar to 22.6 points and 4.9 assists per 75 possessions on 61.5% true shooting. That’s elite defensive production considering Gilgeous-Alexander typically sleepwalks to 30 points on great efficiency. 

If Thompson slows down the reigning league MVP and also limits Ajay Mitchell and Jalen Williams when defending them, then Houston’s chances of winning skyrocket. 

Houston gives a ton of minutes to non-shooters, so Reed Sheppard is the team’s biggest X Factor. The former third overall pick is currently shooting 40.4% from beyond the arc this season on 6.2 attempts per game, and his off-ball gravity helps prevent defenses from completely packing the paint. 

Sheppard has scored under 10 points in four of his past six games, which is not good enough against Oklahoma City. The Rockets need a big night from Sheppard. However, it will be tough sledding because he may often be guarded by Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso and Ajay Mitchell.