For whatever reason, Eastern Conference teams have been a relative problem for the Rockets in the 2023-24 regular season. Houston (16-15) enters Wednesday with a 14-9 (.609) record against Western Conference teams, but only a 2-6 (.250) mark against NBA teams from the East.
The good news for the Rockets is that one of those East wins came in Monday’s rout of Detroit, and they will have another opportunity as a home favorite when they face the struggling Brooklyn Nets (15-19) on Wednesday night at Toyota Center.
The Nets have lost nine of their last 11 games, and are on the second night of a tough road back-to-back after a blowout loss at New Orleans on Tuesday. Furthermore, if Houston needs any extra incentive, a victory over Brooklyn could boost its 2024 NBA draft outlook.
The Rockets own Brooklyn’s first-round draft pick this year as part of the blockbuster James Harden trade from January 2021, and the Nets are perilously close from falling out of the top 10 in the East standings. Should they finish outside the top 10, that would give Houston a lottery pick (top 14) in this year’s draft.
In facing Brooklyn Wednesday night, the Rockets have a chance to hand the Nets their 10th loss in their last 12 games.
The unprotected first-round pick Brooklyn owes Houston this year is currently slotted to be #10 (tied with Utah).
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 3, 2024
When and How to Watch
- Date: Wednesday, Jan. 3
- 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 (16-15)
- Guard: Fred VanVleet
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Brooklyn Nets (15-19)
- Guard: Spencer Dinwiddie
- Guard: Cameron Johnson
- Forward: Mikal Bridges
- Forward: Dorian Finney-Smith
- Center: Nic Claxton
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report lists Victor Oladipo (left patellar tendon repair) and Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) as out, while Tari Eason (left lower leg soreness) is questionable. Eason has played through that designation in recent games, though he is limited to about 25-to-27 minutes per game, head coach Ime Udoka said. Nate Hinton, Jermaine Samuels Jr. and Nate Williams are in the NBA G League.
Brooklyn will not issue its official report until a few hours before tipoff, since it will be the second night of a back-to-back. On Tuesday, the Nets were without Ben Simmons (left lower back nerve impingement) and Lonnie Walker IV (left hamstring strain), while Dariq Whitehead, Noah Clowney and Keon Johnson are in the G League.
Jan. 3 uniform choices
- Rockets: Black Statement Edition
- Nets: White Association Edition
Latest interviews
#Rockets beat Detroit 136-113@JalenGreen
2⃣2⃣ PTS
5⃣ 3-POINTERS
5⃣ REBOUNDS@HoustonRockets on SCHN pic.twitter.com/zhB5cp0gH4— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 2, 2024
#Rockets beat the Pistons 136-113
After the @HoustonRockets WIN – Amen Thompson (12 PTS / 6 AST / 4 REB / 2 STL) talked about going against his twin brother Ausar pic.twitter.com/7PK4EFcj0k
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 2, 2024
#Rockets beat the Pistons 136-113
Alperen Sengun 29 PTS / 9 AST / 4 REB / 3 STL@alperennsengun with our @SportsVanessa after the WIN@HoustonRockets on SCHN pic.twitter.com/ooc4Po4TP0
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 2, 2024
