In the opener of a season-long homestand of seven games at Toyota Center, the Rockets will host the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night. Houston is 12-2 at home in the 2023-24 NBA season to date.
Tuesday’s matchup is the opener of a home back-to-back for the Rockets, who will host Phoenix (14-14) on Wednesday night.
When we last saw the Rockets before a two-day break for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Houston secured one of its best wins of the season on Saturday night in New Orleans. Third-year center Alperen Sengun led the way with a career-high 37 points and 11 rebounds on what was night two of a split back-to-back for the Rockets.
On the other side, Tyrese Haliburton’s Pacers have struggled after a surprising run to the championship game of the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament. Since then, the Pacers are just 2-6, with the lone wins coming versus lowly Detroit (2-27) and Charlotte (7-20).
When and How to Watch
- Date: Tuesday, Dec. 26
- 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 (15-12)
- Guard: Fred VanVleet
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Dillon Brooks
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Indiana Pacers (14-14)
- Guard: Tyrese Haliburton
- Guard: Andrew Nembhard
- Forward: Buddy Hield
- Forward: Obi Toppin
- Center: Myles Turner
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report lists Victor Oladipo (left patellar tendon repair) as out and Tari Eason (left lower leg soreness) as questionable. Eason had the same pregame designation Saturday before playing.
Indiana’s report lists Bruce Brown (right knee bone bruise) as questionable. Kendall Brown, Oscar Tshiebwe, and Isaiah Wong are unavailable while with the Pacers’ G League affiliate.
Dec. 26 uniform choices
- Rockets: White City Edition
- Pacers: Gold Statement Edition
Latest interviews
Ime Udoka after the #Rockets 106-104 win over the Pelicans@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/8DksmHNewX
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) December 24, 2023
Jabari Smith Jr tonight vs New Orleans
🏀26 POINTS🏀11 REBOUNDS🏀#Rockets WIN 106-104@HoustonRockets on Space City Home Network pic.twitter.com/advCQShqEB— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) December 24, 2023
#Rockets beat the Pelicans 106-104
Alperen Sengun a career high 37 points@alperennsengun with our @SportsVanessa after the WIN … with a special appearance from Tari EasonAnd we agree @TAR13ASON … ALPI IS AN @NBA ALL-STAR
VOTE https://t.co/nvq4jOgNjF pic.twitter.com/ULMKFnq7Ub
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) December 24, 2023
