The Oklahoma City Thunder open their title defense tonight against the Houston Rockets at Paycom Center. The Thunder are coming off a dominant 68–14 season and a championship run that cemented them as the NBA’s newest powerhouse. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads a deep, balanced roster that returns nearly intact from last season, giving OKC an early chemistry advantage. Houston enters the season with high expectations after a 52–30 campaign and a bold offseason move to acquire Kevin Durant, instantly raising its ceiling in the Western Conference. The contrast is clear, OKC wants to prove last year’s success was no fluke, while Houston aims to show it belongs in the same tier.

On the court, Houston plans to leverage its size and length with a potential starting lineup of Amen Thompson, Kevin

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