In a nationally televised game of longtime Texas rivals, the Houston Rockets (3-6) will try to get back on track Thursday night when they visit the improving San Antonio Spurs (6-5).
The Spurs have won four of their last five games, while Houston has lost four of its last five. However, Houston’s start to the 2020-21 season has been overshadowed by the trade demand from superstar guard James Harden, who was finally dealt away on Wednesday in a deal bringing Victor Oladipo, Dante Exum, and Rodions Kurucs to the Rockets.
In some ways, Houston could benefit from a fresh start — but it might not be Thursday night. Given the enormous complexities of all sides in the four-team trade completing physicals, it appears doubtful that any of the three newcomers will be cleared to play by Thursday’s tipoff. Moreover, veteran guard John Wall is out with left knee soreness, and backcourt mate Eric Gordon is questionable due to left lower leg tightness.
Thus, Houston could be quite shorthanded in the Alamo City versus Dejounte Murray, LaMarcus Aldridge, and the Spurs, who are rounding into form under the guidance of legendary coach Gregg Popovich.
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Here’s when you should tune in to see Thursday’s game:
- Date: Thursday, Jan. 14
- Time: 6:30 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: TNT
- Live stream: fuboTV (watch for free)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets
- Guard: Eric Gordon (questionable)
- Guard: Ben McLemore
- Forward: David Nwaba
- Forward: PJ Tucker
- Center: Christian Wood
San Antonio Spurs
- Guard: Dejounte Murray
- Guard: Lonnie Walker IV
- Forward: Keldon Johnson
- Forward: Trey Lyles
- Center: LaMarcus Aldridge
The projected lineups are from NBA.com’s official game notes for each team. DeMar DeRozan, who leads San Antonio in per-game scoring for the season as a whole, is questionable after missing the last two games for personal reasons. If he starts, Walker would likely go to the bench.
The Rockets and Spurs will play again on Saturday, also at AT&T Center, as part of the NBA’s plan to minimize travel for teams during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that game will likely look much different on the court, since Houston’s newly acquired players (Oladipo, Exum, Kurucs) would likely be eligible to play by that time. For now, Stephen Silas and the Rockets will try to make the best of challenging situation.
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