In a matchup of two of the NBA’s four worst teams by record, the short-handed Houston Rockets are traveling to Orlando to face off with the similarly injury plagued Magic on Sunday night.
The Rockets trail the Magic by four games in the standings with only 16 left to play. Thus, in the battle to maximize 2021 draft lottery odds — which occurs if the Rockets are among the league’s three worst teams — a loss on Sunday would put them five back with 15 to play. To put it mildly, that gap is unlikely to be overcome over the season’s final month.
On the other hand, if the Rockets were to win and pull within three games with 15 left, that deficit would be much more manageable.
Houston crushed Orlando, 132-90 (box score), in their only other meeting of the 2020-21 season. As it turned out, that was the final victory of James Harden’s eight-plus seasons with the Rockets. Since then, the short-term outlook for the franchise has understandably dimmed.
Here’s when you should tune in to see Sunday’s game:
- Date: Sunday, April 20
- Time: 6 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest
- Live stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (14-42)
- Guard: Kevin Porter Jr.
- Guard: Avery Bradley
- Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
- Forward: Kelly Olynyk
- Center: Christian Wood
Orlando Magic (18-38)
- Guard: Cole Anthony
- Guard: Gary Harris
- Forward: James Ennis III
- Forward: Chuma Okeke
- Center: Wendell Carter Jr.
As usual, Houston’s injury report is extensive, with Sterling Brown (left knee), DJ Augustin (left ankle), Danuel House Jr. (right ankle), David Nwaba (right wrist), Dante Exum (right calf) and Eric Gordon (right groin) all out. In addition, because it’s the front end of a back-to-back, John Wall (left Achilles injury recovery) will rest for planned maintenance. That indicates that Wall is slated to play on Monday in Miami.
Meanwhile, Orlando has an injury report for Sunday’s matchup that is nearly as long as that of the Rockets. Otto Porter Jr. (left foot), Jonathan Isaac (left knee), Markelle Fultz (left knee), and Michael Carter-Williams (left ankle) are all out, while Mo Bamba (left hip) is questionable.
The Magic enter with seven losses in their last eight games, while Houston has dropped 10 of 11, overall. By net rating, Orlando ranks No. 29 in the NBA on offense (105.2), No. 23 on defense (112.9), and No. 29 overall (-7.7). Entering Sunday, the Rockets check in at No. 27 on offense (106.8), No. 26 on defense (113.3), and No. 26 overall (-6.5).
Note: This post first appeared on Rockets Wire. Follow us on Facebook!
