Last week was something of a missed opportunity for the Houston Rockets (21-24), who went 1-2 in a three-game span against opponents that all had worse records in the 2023-24 season to date.
Now, as a three-game homestand begins, the Rockets have a pair of tougher matchups against the Los Angeles Lakers (24-23) on Monday and the New Orleans Pelicans (26-20) on Wednesday.
Should the Rockets win one or both of those games at Toyota Center, it could undo some or all of the damage of those missed opportunities. However, accomplishing that is easier said than done.
From a roster perspective, Houston appears to have reinforcements on the way, since head coach Ime Udoka said over the weekend that he expects Jabari Smith Jr. to return to the lineup on Monday. The second-year forward has missed four straight games for the Rockets with a left ankle sprain, and Houston is 1-3 in those games.
The Lakers are coming off a dramatic double-overtime win at Golden State on Saturday, so it remains to be seen how fresh the legs will be for superstar forwards LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Both are listed as questionable to play, as of Sunday evening.
The Lakers are 2-1 against the Rockets this season, with the home team winning each of the three games. In the last meeting from early December at Los Angeles, Udoka and James had a heated exchange that led to technicals for both and an ejection for Houston’s coach.