This weekend, the Houston Rockets wrap up a seven-game homestand at Toyota Center — tied for their longest of the 2023-24 season — with a tough back-to-back versus two of the NBA’s elite.
Thus far, results have been mixed. The Rockets (17-15) opened the current homestand with three straight losses, though it’s worth noting they had late leads in two of those three (Indiana and Philadelphia). Since then, Houston has won two straight — both by double digits — versus outmanned Detroit and Brooklyn teams.
But the competition is about to get much more challenging, and for some time. Minnesota (24-9) and Milwaukee (25-10) visit on Friday and Saturday night, respectively, and those lofty records ranked second- and third-best in the league entering Thursday’s games.
Then, once the homestand concludes on Saturday night, the Rockets set out on a six-game Eastern Conference road trip.
So, can Alperen Sengun and the Rockets continue to impress as the schedule stiffens? We’ll find out starting Friday, which is when Anthony Edwards leads a tough Timberwolves team into Houston.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Friday, Jan. 5
- 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 (17-15)
- Guard: Fred VanVleet
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Minnesota Timberwolves (24-9)
- Guard: Mike Conley
- Guard: Anthony Edwards
- Forward: Jaden McDaniels
- Forward: Karl-Anthony Towns
- Center: Rudy Gobert
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. Nate Hinton, Jermaine Samuels Jr. and Nate Williams are in the NBA G League.
Minnesota is without Jaylen Clark (right Achilles tendon rupture rehab), while Luka Garza (low back spasms) is questionable.
Jan. 5 uniform choices
- Rockets: White City Edition
- Timberwolves: Blue City Edition
Latest interviews
#Rockets beat the Nets 112-101
Fred VanVleet –
🏀21 PTS🏀10 AST🏀6 REB🏀
🏀6 3-POINTERS🏀2 BLK🏀He spoke with our @SportsVanessa after the WIN@HoustonRockets on SCHN pic.twitter.com/ZiJ9oB0M4j
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 4, 2024
Alperen Sengun 7⃣-straight games with 20+ PTS
Alpi with 3⃣0⃣ tonight vs Brooklyn@HoustonRockets WIN 112-101 pic.twitter.com/HXge7kQfn0
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 4, 2024
#Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore tonight vs Brooklyn
16 MINUTES
11 POINTS
3 3-POINTERS
2 REBOUNDS
2 STEALS@HoustonRockets WIN 112-101 pic.twitter.com/FTdg2n9Dn6— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 4, 2024
