At 19-19, the Rockets are among the more surprising stories of the NBA’s 2023-24 season to date. Houston finished last or tied for last in the Western Conference in each of the past three years.
Because of that lowly track record, the Rockets weren’t given much national television exposure entering this season. But that changes in Monday’s matinee from Philadelphia, where first-year head coach Ime Udoka will lead his Rockets against the 76ers on NBA TV.
The bad news for the Rockets, of course, is that it’s a road game — and Houston is just 4-13 away from home. Another challenging factor is that Philadelphia might have Joel Embiid back in the lineup. The reigning MVP has missed seven of his team’s past nine games with left knee inflammation and a right ankle sprain.
Monday’s game could also be important, psychologically. In an extended stretch of two-plus months dating back to Nov. 6, the Rockets have only found themselves below .500 after one game. That would change with a loss to Philadelphia, which already won a close game at Houston approximately two-and-a-half weeks ago.
Now, in a matinee on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Rockets hope to get some revenge as they continue a six-game Eastern Conference road trip. At the moment, Houston is just 1-3 on that trip, which concludes Wednesday night in New York against the Knicks.