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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Ben DuBose

Trail Blazers at Rockets, Jan. 24: Lineups, how to watch, injury reports, uniforms

After Sunday’s short-handed loss to Boston, the Houston Rockets are hoping to be back to nearly full strength when they finish a three-game homestand on Wednesday night versus Portland.

Second-year forward Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) remains out, but Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr. and Jeff Green are expected to return versus the Trail Blazers after missing the second half of Houston’s weekend back-to-back with minor injuries.

The Rockets (20-22) are 3-7 in their last 10 games, but they’re entering a weaker stretch of their schedule. After ending this homestand versus the Trail Blazers (12-31), Houston has a road back-to-back on Friday and Saturday at Charlotte (10-31) and Brooklyn (17-25).

Thus, on paper, it’s an opportunity for Houston to make up ground and atone for some of those recent struggles. The Rockets will also have a rest advantage versus Portland, which will be on the second night of a road back-to-back after losing at Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.

When and How to Watch

Probable starting lineups

Houston Rockets (20-22)

  • Guard: Fred VanVleet
  • Guard: Jalen Green
  • Forward: Dillon Brooks
  • Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
  • Center: Alperen Sengun

Portland Trail Blazers (12-31)

  • Guard: Malcolm Brogdon
  • Guard: Anfernee Simons
  • Forward: Jabari Walker
  • Forward: Jerami Grant
  • Center: Deandre Ayton

If Jalen Green (illness, questionable) is unable to play, rookie guards Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore would see increased minutes for Houston, with one of the two likely to start.

Injury reports

Houston’s injury report lists Victor Oladipo (left patellar tendon repair) and Tari Eason (left leg injury management) as out, while Jalen Green (illness) and Reggie Bullock (lower back strain) are questionable. Nate Hinton and Jermaine Samuels Jr. are in the NBA G League.

The Blazers are not required to issue a report until a few hours before tipoff, owing to the back-to-back. On Tuesday, Portland was without Shaedon Sharpe (lower abdominal strain), Robert Williams III (right knee ligament tear) and Moses Brown (left wrist fracture).

Jan. 24 uniform choices

  • Rockets: Black Statement Edition
  • Trail Blazers: Red Statement Edition

(via LockerVision)

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