With Houston still searching for its first victory of the 2020-21 regular season, the newly blue Rockets (0-2) host the surprising Sacramento Kings (3-1) on Thursday night at Toyota Center. If you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.
For the first time, the Rockets will be at close to full strength. While reserve guard Ben McLemore remains in self-isolation, all other rotation players who missed the initial two games due to a mandatory quarantine are cleared to play on New Year’s Eve. That includes starting point guard John Wall and key veteran reserves Eric Gordon and DeMarcus Cousins.
Here’s when you should tune in to see Thursday’s game:
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 31
- Time: 6 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest
- Live stream: fuboTV in Houston markets (watch for free)
The Kings finished No. 12 in the Western Conference last season with a 31-41 record, well below No. 4 Houston (44-28). But they’ve been a revelation early in the 2020-21 season, with two impressive wins over Denver (the West’s No. 3 team a year ago) and a third victory against Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and the rising Phoenix Suns. On ther other hand, the winless Rockets may have a greater sense of urgency.
Houston native De’Aaron Fox leads the Kings with averages of 20.3 points and 6.8 assists per game, which will present a challenge to John Wall. Now healthy, the five-time All-Star guard said Wednesday that he expects to be a strong defender this season, and Fox will present an early test.
Thursday will be Wall’s first regular-season NBA game in more than two calendar years, so he’s likely to be quite motivated.
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Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets
- Guard: James Harden
- Guard: John Wall
- Forward: Danuel House Jr.
- Forward: PJ Tucker
- Center: Christian Wood
Sacramento Kings
- Guard: De’Aaron Fox
- Guard: Buddy Hield
- Forward: Harrison Barnes
- Forward: Marvin Bagley III
- Center: Richaun Holmes
Thursday’s matchup will be the first home game for the Rockets of the 2020-21 season, since the scheduled opener versus Oklahoma City on Dec. 23 was postponed due to COVID-19 issues. Houston is one of a limited amount of NBA markets welcoming in-arena fans to start the new season, with a crowd of up to 4,500 expected at Toyota Center.
The Rockets and Kings will then play a rematch on Saturday afternoon in Houston, as part of the NBA’s strategic plan to minimize travel this season during the coronavirus pandemic.
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