The Rockets (13-11) enter Wednesday coming off consecutive losses in Milwaukee and Cleveland. But the silver lining is that nine of Houston’s next 10 games are at home inside Toyota Center, where they’re 11-1 on the 2023-24 NBA season to date.
That run starts by facing the high-powered Atlanta Hawks, who score the third-most points per game on offense (122.7) while allowing an identical amount on defense. That ranks third-worst.
So, after struggling Monday versus the Cavaliers, can Jalen Green get back on track against the likes of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray? That’s what Ime Udoka and the Rockets would love to see as they evaluate the uneven development of their third-year prospect.
Green has generally played better at home over his young NBA career to date, and Houston’s offense (and corresponding 2023-24 team results) have looked far superior when he’s at solid efficiency.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 20
- Time: 7 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (13-11)
- Guard: Fred VanVleet
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Dillon Brooks
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Atlanta Hawks (11-15)
- Guard: Trae Young
- Guard: Dejounte Murray
- Forward: Saddiq Bey
- Forward: De’Andre Hunter
- Center: Clint Capela
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report lists Victor Oladipo (left patellar tendon repair) as out, while Amen Thompson (illness) and Jae’Sean Tate (illness) are each questionable. Young prospects Cam Whitmore, Nate Hinton and Jermaine Samuels Jr. are in the G League.
The Hawks will be without Kobe Bufkin (left thumb fracture, AJ Griffin (personal reasons), Mouhamed Gueye (right low back stress fracture) and Jalen Johnson (left distal radius fracture). Bogdan Bogdanovic (right ankle inflammation) is questionable, and Seth Lundy and Miles Norris are with Atlanta’s G League affiliate.
Dec. 20 uniform choices
- Rockets: Red Icon Edition
- Hawks: Black Statement Edition
Latest interviews
#Rockets fall to the Cavs 135-130 in OT
Ime Udoka & Fred VanVleet with these thoughts after the game@HoustonRockets play 9 of their next 10 games at home starting with Atlanta on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/IkkO7K7sYj
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) December 19, 2023
