Spurs vs. Thunder Tuesday NBA odds, props: First regular-season matchup between Rookie of the Year favorites Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren

There have been some great individual rivalries in the NBA over the past few decades, but they haven't typically involved centers. However, the opening round of what could be the next great NBA rivalry tips off on Tuesday when No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs visit 2022 No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren and the Thunder, who are 9.5-point favorites on the SportsLine consensus for the In-Season Tournament matchup.

Wembanyama and Holmgren did meet in the preseason opener on Oct. 9 and the Thunder prevailed 122-121 behind 21 points, nine rebounds and a block from the 7-foot-1 Holmgren in his first NBA game after missing his first pro season with an injury. A reminder that in the NBA, a player isn't officially a rookie until he takes the court unlike in the NFL when a rookie is part of his draft class.

Holmgren, 21, is averaging 16.4 points on 54.9% shooting, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.3 blocks and 2.0 turnovers per game and is +350 to win Rookie of the Year. Holmgren's true shooting percentage (which measures scoring efficiency accounting for field goal percentage, free throw percentage and 3-pointers) is tied for the seventh best in the NBA. Only Luka Doncic, Curry, Nikola Jokic and Kristaps Porzingis among the six ahead of Holmgren are averaging more points.

The former Gonzaga star Holmgren was the third player since 1973-74 with at least 15 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a game within his first two career games. He's also the first player in NBA history to average 50/50/90 shooting splits and score at least 100 points through his first seven career NBA games. Holmgren is set at over/under 25.5 combined points, rebounds and assists for Tuesday.

Wembanyama had 20 points, five rebounds, two steals and a block in that preseason matchup with Holmgren. He's averaging 19.7 points on 44.7% shooting, 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.4 blocks and 3.8 turnovers (seven last time out) per game on the season. Wembanyama is the -350 Rookie of the Year favorite, as he has been since draft day. Wembanyama and Holmgren are the only players in NBA history to have at least 10 made 3-pointers and 10 blocks through their first six career NBA games. Wembanyama has an over/under total of 34.5 points, rebounds and assists for Tuesday.

The two players are remarkably alike, but they have no personal relationship. Wembanyama plays more at forward than center, which is where Holmgren has spent most of his time.

Oklahoma City is miles ahead of San Antonio is the return to contention. The Spurs are near the bottom of the West at 3-7 and have lost five in a row. Despite Wembanyama's presence in the middle, the Spurs are last in defense in allowing 124.2 points per game. Three key players -- Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan and Tre Jones -- are questionable due for Tuesday due to injury. The Thunder are fifth in the West at 6-4 and come off an impressive win in Phoenix on Sunday. They aren't listing anyone on the injury report.

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