Rockets vs. Thunder Pre-Game 2/1/23

Rockets Aiming to Build Off Previous Win, Host Thunder

Rested and Ready.    Incoming Storm.    Rising Stars.

Fresh off a rare victory, only their 12th of the season, the Rockets return home to host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. OKC is one of the surprise stories of the season. Most people expected them to be alongside Houston in the Wemby Sweepstakes this summer. Although, the Thunder have surpassed expectations, and sit just outside the final Play-In Spot in the Western Conference. Their improvement is due almost completely to Shai Gilegeous-Alexander, commonly known as “SGA”, who is having a breakout Superstar season. If the Thunder had a winning record, and were higher up in the standings, SGA would be the MVP. Take a look a this OKC roster, and it’s shocking they’re at 24-26 on the season. In my opinion, SGA is more valuable to this Thunder team than any single NBA player is to their team in the entire league. The players who will be participating in the NBA’s Jordan Rising Stars at All-Star Break were announced on Tuesday, and this matchup features five members. For Houston, Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr. were named to the pool of players. OKC’s Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams were selected as contestants. Wednesday’s catchup features a plethora of some of the league’s longest talent. Along with these young players in the Rising Stars game, at age 24, SGA is one of the best young superstars in the NBA. He’s been playing at an MVP-caliber level all season long for the Thunder.

The Rockets are rested and ready. Well, they should be. Houston has had a nice and long three days off since their victory in Detroit over the weekend. The Thunder are coming off a tough loss at home to the Warriors, and sit only a game behind the Utah Jazz for the final Play-In Spot. Alperen Sengun is returning for the Rockets after missing the previous game in Detroit. Kevin Porter Jr. is still without a timetable for a return from his injury. And Jalen Green also remains out for Wednesday’s matchup with a thigh contusion that he suffered in Thursday’s loss to the Cavaliers. Houston will still be undermanned, but the return of Sengun is a good sign. They get a starter and playmaker back. Sengun is the best passer on the team, and if the Rockets run the offense through him, and use Sengun like an offensive hub, they have a great chance to upset the upstart Thunder on Wednesday night.

Houston actually won the first matchup between these teams, 118-105, at Toyota Center, back on November 26th. The Rockets will try and repeat that result as the teams square off in Houston for the final time, followed by two matchups in the near future in OKC before the All-Star Break to close the season series. The squad has had plenty of time off to get over the “Winner’s Hangover” Houston has suffered all season long. The Rockets have struggled mightily to win twice in a row all season. Can the return of Sengun give Houston the jolt they need to upset the Thunder? The squad has a decent chance in what should be an entertaining game featuring a handful of the game’s rising stars.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Oklahoma City Thunder (24-26):  Blue

Houston Rockets (12-38):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass