The NBA season is officially kicking off, and the Houston Rockets are diving headfirst into it at home against the Dallas Mavericks. This isn’t just another season start, though, it’s a statement, with a bold prediction floating around: Houston is set to bag 55 wins this year. That would be three more Ws than last season, and honestly, it would totally lock them into a top-three or top-four seed. FanDuel has some wild odds for them: +1000 for seventh seed (nah, man), +2000 for first seed (we dreaming!), +850 for second, +1300 for eighth, but then a super intriguing +470 for fourth seed and +450 for third. The odds for 55+ wins? A very real +320. That’s not just hope, that’s Vegas talking!
Who’s Dropping Buckets And Who’s Blowing Up?
When we talk about who’s gonna be lighting up the scoreboard, all signs point to Alperen Sengun as the Rockets’ top scorer. And honestly, I wouldn’t be shocked if Amen Thompson went off and took that spot either. My one big take: Kevin Durant absolutely should not be the leading scorer. Seriously, why are we placing that much of a burden on a 38-year-old Kevin Durant? Come on. Beyond scoring, keep an eye on Reed Sheppard for the breakout young player of the season. Jabari Smith Jr. was in the running, but once you snag that second NBA contract, you’re out of the “breakout” category in my book. Look, Sheppard might have a smaller role sometimes this season, especially with Fred VanVleet back and Marcus Smart in the mix, but that could actually be a good thing. Less pressure, more consistent spot minutes, letting him settle in as an off-the-bench sniper. Think Gerald Green, but way better. That’s a role that can absolutely cook!
The Bench Mob: Smart Or Eason For Top Contributor?
Now, the bench contributor spot? That’s a tougher call, because it totally depends on what you value more: raw stats or overall impact. For me, it’s a toss-up between Marcus Smart and Tari Eason. Smart coming in means someone else besides Fred VanVleet can run the offense, which is huge, but his real shine is on defense. Houston is potentially adding another elite NBA defender to a roster already stacked with Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr., plus other solid defenders. Imagine if Smart’s three-pointer gets back to league average, or even above? We are absolutely cooking then!
On the flip side, Tari Eason is probably going to put up higher counting stats, and there’s always the chance Smart could slide into the starting lineup if Fred misses games or sits out back-to-backs. But really, you could pencil in either Tari or Smart for that biggest bench contributor spot and feel good about it. Bogdan Bogdanovic was also a thought, but he feels more like a clean-up crew guy at the end of games.
So, the stage is set. The Rockets are kicking off their season against the Mavericks with a ton of hype and a bold prediction of 55 wins. This isn’t just about starting strong, it’s about proving they belong in that top tier. Get ready, because this season is going to be wild!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Dream Shake.
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