In the finale of a seven-game homestand, the longest of the season, the Rockets will welcome back Christian Wood to Toyota Center for the first time since the June trade sending the big man from Houston to Dallas. Friday’s game is the team’s last before its Christmas holiday, as well.
The Rockets enter with four straight home defeats, including back-to-back uninspiring losses to the Spurs and Magic, their rebuilding rivals. Thus, on paper, it’s an ideal opportunity for Wood, Luka Doncic and the Mavericks to show out against their in-state rivals.
Yet, with five losses in their last eight games, it’s not as if Dallas is setting the league on fire, either. At the moment, the Mavericks are tied for 10th in the Western Conference, i.e. the final spot in a play-in tournament.
Could this be the ideal spot for the Mavs to start turning things around? The Rockets will be somewhat short-handed. Eric Gordon is sidelined by a left thumb contusion and Jae’Sean Tate remains out due to the right ankle issue that has cost him most of the 2022-23 season. KJ Martin appears likely to start in Gordon’s place.
Eric Gordon is out for Friday's game with a left thumb contusion. Expect #Rockets to start KJ Martin in his place
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) December 22, 2022
When and How to Watch
- Date: Friday, Dec. 23
- 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 (9-22)
- Guard: Kevin Porter Jr.
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: KJ Martin
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Dallas Mavericks (16-16)
- Guard: Luka Doncic
- Guard: Spencer Dinwiddie
- Forward: Reggie Bullock
- Forward: Tim Hardaway Jr.
- Center: Christian Wood
Projected lineups are based on each team’s previous game, with the exception of Martin over Gordon, who is out with a thumb injury.
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report lists Jae’Sean Tate (right ankle soreness) and Eric Gordon (left thumb contusion) as out, while Garrison Mathews (non-COVID illness) is questionable.
Dallas will be without Dorian Finney-Smith (right adductor strain), Josh Green (right elbow sprain), Maxi Kleber (right hamstring tear), and Kemba Walker (left knee injury recovery).
