Fresh off their most feel-good victory in quite some time, the Houston Rockets will look to build on the momentum from Wednesday’s buzzer-beating win in Washington when they kick off a three-game homestand with Friday’s visit from the in-state rival Dallas Mavericks.
As a welcome change, the Rockets aren’t expected to be the short-handed side when Friday’s game tips off at Toyota Center. With no known medical, disciplinary, or back-to-back scheduling issues, Houston should have its biggest names (Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Eric Gordon, and Christian Wood) all available. Meanwhile, superstar Luka Doncic is listed as doubtful for the Mavs due to a sprained right ankle.
Then again, there are reasons beyond Doncic as to why the Mavericks are the No. 5 team in the Western Conference standings and with four straight wins. By contrast, the Rockets are continue to be dead last.
Friday’s game isn’t likely to change the trajectory of the 2021-22 season for either team, with Dallas all-in on trying to win now around their perennial All-Star and MVP candidate. Yet, if the young and rebuilding Rockets could pull off a win over a probable West playoff team — even a short-handed version — it would be an impressive brand victory as they approach the season’s halfway point and build toward the future.
Mavs are listing Luka Doncic as doubtful for tomorrow’s game vs. Rockets due to a right ankle sprain. He turned the ankle late in last night’s win over the Warriors. Doncic missed time due to a sprained left ankle earlier this season.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 6, 2022
