Relative to 2023-24 preseason forecasts, the Houston Rockets (15-13) are among the NBA’s most overachieving teams, and the star-studded Phoenix Suns (14-14) are among the biggest underachievers.
Now, as the calendar approaches a new year, will those trends continue? Or is a course correction due in relatively short order?
Wednesday night’s matchup at Houston’s Toyota Center could offer clues. The second night of a home back to back for the Rockets offers the first meeting between the teams this season.
Besides welcoming in stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, Wednesday’s game also marks the first time longtime Rockets guard Eric Gordon will play against his former team. He was dealt at the 2023 trade deadline in February. Expect a tribute video to honor Gordon’s six-plus seasons of strong play in Houston.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 27
- 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 (15-13)
- Guard: Fred VanVleet
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Tari Eason
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
The inclusion of Eason as a projected starter in place of Dillon Brooks is due to the right abdominal oblique strain Brooks suffered in Tuesday’s loss to Indiana. A return timetable is not known.
Phoenix Suns (14-14)
- Guard: Grayson Allen
- Guard: Devin Booker
- Forward: Eric Gordon
- Forward: Kevin Durant
- Center: Drew Eubanks
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report on Tuesday listed Victor Oladipo (left patellar tendon repair) as out and Tari Eason (left lower leg soreness) and Reggie Bullock (illness) as questionable. Both were later deemed available to play. Because of the back-to-back, Wednesday’s report is not required to be issued until a few hours prior to tipoff, though it is likely to include Dillon Brooks due to Tuesday’s right oblique strain.
Phoenix’s report lists Bradley Beal (right ankle sprain) and Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery) as out. Jusuf Nurkic (personal reasons) and Josh Okogie (right ankle soreness) are each probable.
Dec. 27 uniform choices
- Rockets: White City Edition
- Suns: Black Statement Edition
