Rockets vs. 76ers Pre-Game 12/29/23

Rockets Seek to Get Back on Track at Home, Host 76ers

Big Break.    The Wizard’s Night?    More Effort.

Losers of two straight at home, the Rockets aim to reclaim their winning ways at Toyota Center as they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night. The Rockets started the season winning twelve of their first fourteen games. They’ve now dropped two contests in disappointing fashion. They’ll look to get back on track against a  Sixers team who will be without their best player, Joel Embiid, the NBA’s reigning MVP. That’s a big break for the Rockets, as Embiid is having another MVP-caliber season this year. Houston needs to take advantage of his absence. The Rockets are shorthanded themselves, missing two starters, as Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. are both out tonight with injuries. That means more minutes and opportunities for the likes of Aaron Holiday, Amen Thompson, Jae’Sean Tate, and Cam Whitmore. Tari Eason carries a questionable tag into this contest, but if he can suit up, expect more minutes for Eason as well.

Without Embiid on the court, Philly is a little thin on the frontline. Alperen Sengun has a great opportunity to have another monster performance tonight. Expect “The Wizard” to possibly score over 30 points again, as he’ll be asked to carry even more of an offensive load with Brooks and Smith Jr. sidelined. Jalen Green had a bounce-back performance, scoring 23 points in the previous game to Phoenix, but it came in a loss. And in a game in which Houston wasn’t competitive throughout. Green did take the most shots last game, 20, but the Houston was never in the contest. The Rockets are a better team when the offense runs through Sengun. The Wizard is clearly the best player on Houston’s roster, and he should have the most shot attempts during most games. Keep an eye on Green tonight, as it would be nice to see the young guard play well in a winning performance. If Green can find his shot, he plays harder. And effort is something that Green’s lacked this season. It’s why he’s been benched in certain fourth quarters, and hasn’t seen the minute volume one would expect for the youngster. The Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has made it clear, if you don’t bring the energy and effort, you’re going to find yourself sitting on the bench, watching the game like the rest of us. Hopefully, Coach Udoka has his team fired up after one day of rest.

The loss to Indiana two games ago took a lot of effort out of Houston, and they had tired legs in the loss to Phoenix the next night. Coming into tonight’s matchup against the Sixers, the Rockets have had a day of rest, and should be sharper on the court. Expect the team to play with that Tari Eason-level of energy and intensity, especially if Eason is able to lace it up tonight. In a battle between two undermanned teams, this matchup will be decided by whoever plays with more effort. Can Houston bring the intensity needed in order to snap their two-game losing streak at home? With Embiid sidelined, the opportunity is there for the taking for Sengun’s Rockets… expect a closer game at Toyota Center on Friday night… as Houston aims to protect home-court and end their skid.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Philadelphia 76ers (21-9):  Red

Houston Rockets (15-14):  “City Edition” White

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass