DraftKings. In his first campaign with the Thunder, Isaiah Hartenstein averaged 15 points plus assists per game. While his production and minutes waned in the playoffs, I’m counting on the big man to play a crucial role out of the gate for Oklahoma City, who will be without Jalen Williams. Taking on the Rockets, who’ve already tipped their hand that they’ll be starting a massive lineup, I like the matchup for Hartenstein. I’m expecting Houston to play some zone, which should give Hartenstein open looks for his patented push shot from the mid-paint. Houston also looked disjointed defensively in the preseason, especially their double-big looks. Hartenstein cleared this line in six of eight without Williams last year, and in all four games against the Rockets.

OKC had the best regular-season point differential (+12.9) in NBA history and the most double-digit wins (54) in a season. But that was last year, and the Rockets in my eyes are true contenders to win it all by adding Kevin Durant. Too many emotions for OKC, too many points to give Houston.

Alperen Sengun is one of the best passing big men in the league. He averaged 4.9 assists per game last season and the Rockets will need him to be even more of a playmaker this season with Fred VanVleet out with a torn ACL. The Rockets have already said that they will go big against the Thunder, starting Amen Thompson at point guard and bringing Reed Sheppard off the bench. I like them to run their offense through Sengun, so I’ll pay the juice that comes with this over.

Reed Sheppard did nothing last year as the No. 3 overall pick out of the draft and was demoted to the G-League at one point. But he will have a major role this season with Fred VanVleet out for the year. Sheppard had big numbers this preseason and should be the Sixth Man in the early going. He topped this in points alone usually in the preseason.

Last season he averaged 1.9 at home (31-23, 57.4%) vs just 1.5 (25-21) on the road. He averaged 2.4 steals per game last season vs Houston and as we said above we project the Rockets to have nearly 20 turnovers and project SGA for over 2 steals.