The 2021-22 Rockets are now the first team in NBA history to win four straight games after a losing streak of 15 or more. When Orlando visits Toyota Center on Friday night, it could be a golden opportunity for Houston’s young squad to extend its magical turnaround to five games.
The Magic are one of two teams in the league with a worse record than Houston, so on paper, the Rockets enter Friday’s contest in a relatively strong position. However, Stephen Silas’ team definitely won’t be at full strength, since Jalen Green (left hamstring strain) remains out and Christian Wood (right ankle sprain) and Kevin Porter Jr. (left thigh contusion) are probable and questionable, respectively.
Wood and Porter suffered their injuries during Wednesday’s win at Oklahoma City, though indications on Thursday were that neither is expected to be a long-term absence. With Wood listed as probable, that indicates that Houston expects its star big man to be back in the lineup.
Here’s when you should tune in to see the game:
- Date: Friday, Dec. 3
- Time: 7 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (5-16)
- Guard: Eric Gordon
- Guard: Armoni Brooks
- Forward: Garrison Mathews
- Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
- Center: Christian Wood
Orlando Magic (5-18)
- Guard: Cole Anthony
- Guard: Gary Harris
- Forward: Franz Wagner
- Forward: Wendell Carter Jr.
- Center: Mo Bamba
Projected lineups are from each team’s official game notes.
Orlando has five players listed as out on its injury report: Markelle Fultz (left knee), Jalen Suggs (right thumb fracture), E’Twaun Moore (left knee sprain), Jonathan Isaac (left knee), and Michael Carter-Williams (left ankle). Besides the aforementioned trio of usual starters, Houston also lists rookie forward Usman Garuba as out with a right thigh contusion.
This post originally appeared on Rockets Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
HOU ranks through losing streak:
OFFRTG: 30 (95.8)
DEFRTG: 20 (109.0)
NETRTG: 30 (-13.2)HOU ranks through winning streak:
OFFRTG: 9 (115.4)
DEFRTG: 15 (108.9)
NETRTG: 10 (+6.5)— RedNinetyFour (@RedNinetyFour) December 3, 2021
