For whatever reason, Eastern Conference teams have been a relative problem for the Rockets in the 2023-24 regular season. Houston (16-15) enters Wednesday with a 14-9 (.609) record against Western Conference teams, but only a 2-6 (.250) mark against NBA teams from the East.
The good news for the Rockets is that one of those East wins came in Monday’s rout of Detroit, and they will have another opportunity as a home favorite when they face the struggling Brooklyn Nets (15-19) on Wednesday night at Toyota Center.
The Nets have lost nine of their last 11 games, and are on the second night of a tough road back-to-back after a blowout loss at New Orleans on Tuesday. Furthermore, if Houston needs any extra incentive, a victory over Brooklyn could boost its 2024 NBA draft outlook.
The Rockets own Brooklyn’s first-round draft pick this year as part of the blockbuster James Harden trade from January 2021, and the Nets are perilously close from falling out of the top 10 in the East standings. Should they finish outside the top 10, that would give Houston a lottery pick (top 14) in this year’s draft.
In facing Brooklyn Wednesday night, the Rockets have a chance to hand the Nets their 10th loss in their last 12 games.
The unprotected first-round pick Brooklyn owes Houston this year is currently slotted to be #10 (tied with Utah).
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 3, 2024