Rockets Host Suns in First Meeting of Season
First Look. Weakened Flames. Celestial Showdown.
For the first time this season, the Rockets and Suns face-off in a celestial showdown on Wednesday night at Toyota Center. In their previous game, Houston snapped a season-high six game losing streak with a win over the Toronto Raptors on Super Bowl Sunday. And the Rockets got some well deserved rest with two days off before tonight’s matchup. Meanwhile, Phoenix is coming off a home loss last night to the Memphis Grizzlies. So, this matchup is the second part of a back-to-back for the Suns. Houston has slipped to the fifth spot in the Western Conference, but the Rockets are still only a game behind the loss column for the third and fourth place. Coming into this matchup, the Suns find themselves in 11th place in the West, on the outside looking in. Yet Phoenix is only one game in the loss column out of the eighth spot in the crowded and brutally competitive beast of teams that is the NBA’s Western Conference.
Both teams will be heavily hindered entering this contest. Houston is still without Fred VanVleet and Jabari Smith Jr., although the team did announce Bari’s is eyeing a return on February 21st, a home match against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the first game after the All-Star break. After exiting the win over the Raptors with a lumbar spasm early in the game, Alperen Sengun is questionable for tonight’s contest, and is listed as a game-time decision. On the other hand, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, and Cody Martin are all out for the Suns entering tonight’s game.
Regardless, Phoenix still has Kevin Durant. And despite all the drama before the trade deadline that could potentially have repercussions for Phoenix’s future, Durant is still one of the best players in the world, and a nightmare for opposing defenses. Amen Thompson, Dillon Brooks, and Tari Eason will have their hands full trying to contain the “Slim Reaper” tonight.
With both teams missing key players in this matchup, anything could happen in this celestial showdown. Expect Durant to have an explosive offensive game, and the Rockets will need Jalen Green to bring more scoring, especially if Sengun can’t suit up. Houston is aiming to creep back up in the standings to gain home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Phoenix is simply trying to stay in the Play-In mix, and not fall too far out of the race. Given all the injuries, and the fact that 90% of Rockets games seem to go down to the wire… expect another wild, unpredictable, and exciting matchup tonight at Toyota Center.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Phoenix Suns (26-27): Purple
Houston Rockets (33-20): “City Edition” White
Tip-Off: 7:30 PM CT
TV: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass