The Houston Rockets were shorthanded on Monday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and former Kentucky star Reed Sheppard made his first NBA start. Sheppar

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was pleased to see Reed Sheppard take advantage of his first start after setting a new career high in scoring on Monday.

With Houston missing five rotation players due to injury or back-to-back maintenance, rookie guard Reed Sheppard made his first NBA start.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 51 points and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Houston Rockets 137-128 on Monday night for their 50th win of the season. Gilgeous-Alexander reached 50 points for the fourth time this season,

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 51 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 137-128 home win over the Houston Rockets on Monday.

The Houston Rockets lost to the Western Conference No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, but not in the way most people anticipated. One game after returning to full strength, the Rockets were depleted in Oklahoma City and a matchup between two playoff contenders lost its intrigue — until tipoff.

The Tunder are on a three-game winning streak and have won eight of their last 10 games. The Rockets are currently 17-12 on the road with a point differential of 4, while the Thunder have a 8-2 record in their last ten games at home.

Analyzing Monday’s Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Oklahoma City Thunder play the Houston Rockets on Monday, and if you’re looking to do some last-minute betting research, you’re in luck! We’ll give you the latest point spread, money line odds and over/under number,