The young Houston Rockets are starting 2022 on a seven-game losing streak and coming off a series of troubling off-court incidents involving point guard Kevin Porter Jr. and center Christian Wood. Monday’s road game at Philadelphia isn’t likely tomake things much easier.
Led by Joel Embiid, the 76ers have won three straight and appear to again be a contender when the perennial All-Star center is available.
The good news for the Rockets is that after a week of very short-handed rosters, they do have at least some reinforcements on the way, with Garrison Mathews and DJ Augustin cleared from health and safety protocols. Unfortunately, Armoni Brooks is now in the protocol.
Even if Wood is with the team and puts Saturday’s incidents behind him, the defensive matchup versus Embiid doesn’t seem to be ideal. Thus, expect veteran big man Daniel Theis to continue having at least some role — particularly with rookie Alperen Sengun still sidelined by injury.
Rookie Jalen Green led Houston with 29 points (one short of his career-high) on impressive efficiency in Saturday’s loss to Denver, and they will likely need that to continue to have any chance in Philadelphia.
