On the eve of James Harden’s first return visit to Houston since being traded, the Rockets announced Tuesday that his No. 13 jersey would eventually hang in the rafters at Toyota Center. For now, he has an opportunity with the Nets to give his old team a 13th straight loss.
On paper, Wednesday’s matchup appears to be a mismatch. Brooklyn (23-13) has the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, while the Rockets (11-22) are on a 12-game losing streak and have the second-worst mark in the West. They’re 0-12 without star center Christian Wood, who remains sidelined by a right ankle sprain suffered on Feb. 4.
Unfortunately for the Rockets, Wood isn’t nearly the only medical concern in the final game before the All-Star break. Defensive ace David Nwaba is out with a right wrist strain, while Eric Gordon (left knee soreness) and Danuel House Jr. (right knee contusion) are each questionable. The Rockets will have a week off after Wednesday’s game to let those injuries heal, but the question is whether they’ve already dug themselves too deep of a hole to potentially make a playoff push later in the season.
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Here’s when you should tune in to see Wednesday’s game:
- Date: Wednesday, March 3
- Time: 6:30 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live stream: fuboTV (watch for free)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (11-22)
- Guard: John Wall
- Guard: Victor Oladipo
- Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
- Forward: PJ Tucker
- Center: Justin Patton
Brooklyn Nets (23-13)
- Guard: Kyrie Irving
- Guard: James Harden
- Forward: Bruce Brown
- Forward: Joe Harris
- Center: DeAndre Jordan
The Nets also aren’t at full strength, with Kevin Durant out (left hamstring strain) and Jeff Green (right shoulder contusion) and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (right knee soreness) each doubtful. But unlike Houston, they have two other superstars in Harden and Kyrie Irving who are able to pick up the slack. Brooklyn enters with nine wins in its last 10 games.
John Wall seemed to take it personally when Harden wanted to leave Houston, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the five-time All-Star play inspired basketball on Wednesday. With the playoff odds for the Rockets becoming less likely by the day, a homecoming game versus their former MVP on national television might be their most anticipated matchup for the remainder of the 2020-21 season. But even if they’re highly motivated, the question is whether Wall’s group has enough talent and depth to compete against Harden, Irving, and the surging Nets.
Note: This post first appeared on Rockets Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
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