Third-year guard Jalen Green has suddenly played spectacular basketball over the past five games, but Houston is just 2-3 over that stretch. In Wednesday’s loss to New Orleans (27-21), part of the issue was a superior opponent, and the other part involved off nights by big man Alperen Sengun and several Rockets shooters.
On Friday, as the Rockets (22-25) conclude a three-game homestand at Toyota Center, Houston appears to have a golden opportunity to finally put it all together at the same time.
That’s because their opponent is the struggling Raptors (17-30), who enter with nine losses 11 games. That run largely coincides with a trade of OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks and Pascal Siakam to the Indiana Pacers, which weakened Toronto’s high-end talent.
On paper, this is a game the Rockets need to win as they continue their push for a Western Conference play-in tournament slot. Houston is 17-9 at home but just 5-16 on the road, and they will begin a tough four-game road trip on Sunday with a visit to Minnesota (34-14), where the Timberwolves currently lead the West standings.
Thus, prior to heading out on the road, it would be extremely beneficial if the Rockets can take care of business at Toyota Center by banking a win and securing a winning homestand for the week.
In contrast to Jonas Valanciunas and the Pelicans, the Raptors have recently started an undersized Thaddeus Young at center (due to Jakob Poeltl’s injury), which should be more favorable to Sengun. Houston was out-rebounded versus New Orleans, 56-29, and Sengun shot an uncharacteristic 4-of-11 from the field (36.4%).
Friday’s game is also the first time Fred VanVleet will face his former team since signing with Houston in 2023 free agency. Thus, both teams may have this circled on their calendars, and VanVleet would love to bounce back versus his old team after shooting just 27.9% on 3-pointers over his past 11 games. He should be due!
When and How to Watch
- Date: Friday, Feb. 2
- 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 (22-25)
- Guard: Fred VanVleet
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Dillon Brooks
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Toronto Raptors (17-30)
- Guard: Dennis Schroder
- Guard: Gary Trent Jr.
- Forward: Bruce Brown
- Forward: Scottie Barnes
- Center: Thaddeus Young
Projected lineups are based on each team’s previous game.
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report lists Victor Oladipo (left patellar tendon repair) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) as out. Eason has advanced to 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 drills in recent practices, and the Rockets hope he can resume playing in games next week.
Tari Eason has started playing 1-on-1 and 2-on-2. Ime Udoka said he could return to game action next week
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) February 1, 2024
Alperen Sengun (illness) is listed as questionable to play for Houston, though he was able to go on Wednesday night.
The Raptors are listing RJ Barrett (left knee swelling), Immanuel Quickley (right quadriceps contusion), and Jakob Poeltl (left ankle sprain) as questionable for Friday. All three have recently missed time with those injuries. Javon Freeman-Liberty, Kira Lewis Jr., and Markquis Nowell are playing in the NBA G League.
Feb. 2 uniform choices
- Rockets: White City Edition
- Raptors: Black Statement Edition
Latest interviews
Fred VanVleet will face his former team for the 1st time tomorrow when the #Rockets host the Raptors
Our @HoustonRockets game coverage will begin Friday at 6:30pm on the Pregame Show with Kevin & Calvin pic.twitter.com/wXLwA3LbqZ
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) February 1, 2024
