Rockets Predictions: Win Total Pick, Best Bet & NBA Futures Odds for 2025-26

Last Updated: October 17, 2025 12:45 PM EDT • 2 minute read X Social Google News Link

After trading for Kevin Durant this offseason, the Houston Rockets enter this year with lofty expectations and a preseason win total of Over/Under 52.5 wins - but are they worth the hype? Below, our NBA experts break down the Rockets' betting odds, win total pick, and best NBA futures bet for the 2025-26 season.
📊 Houston Rockets odds & futures bets 2025-26
Follow all of our NBA picks and the latest NBA odds for the 2025-26 season.
💰 Rockets win total prediction
Here's why our NBA expert Corey Scott expects the Rockets to finish Under 52.5 wins as one of his NBA win total predictions for the 2025-26 season:
⬇️ Under 52.5 wins
The Rockets are tied with the Lakers for the fifth-shortest NBA championship odds after trading for Kevin Durant. Fred VanVleet suffered a torn ACL and will likely miss the entire season, so Reed Sheppard, the third overall pick in 2024, will start in his place. Sheppard averaged 4.4 points per game last season and played a total of 10 minutes in their seven-game series against the Warriors - this number has not been properly adjusted for VanVleet's absence.
✅ Prediction: Under 52.5 wins (-110 via BetMGM)
🔮 Best Rockets futures bet
Here's why our NBA expert Liam Fox is betting on Amen Thompson to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year as one of his best NBA futures bets for the 2025-26 season:
🏆️ Amen Thompson to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year
Victor Wembanyama is the massive favorite in this market, but there are injury concerns there with the Spurs likely to be cautious with him. That opens the door for Amen Thompson, who was an All-Defensive first-team selection in just his second season last year and has a legitimate shot at this award if Wemby misses time.
✅ Best bet: Amen Thompson to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year (+1600 via FanDuel)
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