Rockets vs. Hornets
When/where: 7 p.m.; Toyota Center. TV/radio: ATTSN; 740 AM, 790 AM, 1010 AM (Spanish).
So far: Rockets 2-15, Hornets 14-8.
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH
Who starts?
1
The Rockets went small against the Bulls, benching center Daniel Theis and starting Christian Wood at center with Alperen Sengun as his backup. Theis was still in the game plan, but with Wood and Sengun playing well, Theis sat out. The Hornets’ small frontcourt would allow the Rockets to stay with one big man. But Jalen Green’s injury likely will move Eric Gordon to the shooting guard spot. Coming off by far his best game of the season, Danuel House Jr. could get the nod to match up with Gordon Hayward at small forward, with Jae’Sean Tate staying at power forward and defending Miles Bridges. The Rockets also could stick with Garrison Mathews playing with point guard Kevin Porter Jr. and Gordon, as they did Wednesday to start the second half when Green was out.
How do the Rockets replace Jalen Green?
2
As much as Green has been viewed in terms of development, rather than judged by immediate contributions, in the past five games he has been the Rockets’ leading scorer and second-best shooter, making only a slightly smaller percentage of shots than KJ Martin. Gordon, the ;likely starter at shooting guard, has made just 38.3 percent of his shots in the past five games. The Rockets got a huge lift Wednesday from House, who made all four of his 3-pointers. But he is making just 31.9 percent of his shots this season. Mathews and Armoni Brooks played extended minutes Wednesday and might have to contribute consistently while Green is out.
Play keep-away
3
As much as the Rockets improved in some areas against the Bulls, they remained turnover prone. They committed 21 turnovers, leading to 35 Bulls points. They give up by far the most points off turnovers in the NBA, 23.3 per game, with the Hornets averaging 18.4 points off opponents’ turnovers, tied for fifth-most in the league. The Rockets got away with an especially large number of points off turnovers allowed, even for them, but they don’t want to try that again.
It starts with the starters
4
The Rockets believe they broke through for their second win with execution down the stretch, winning Wednesday in just their fifth close game of the season. They even spent much of Friday’s practice working on late-game execution. But they also avoided the sort of slow start that marked the more recent games of the losing streak and the third-quarter flops that led to blowouts.
Only three starting lineups score fewer points than the Rockets’. Only three starting fives score more than the Hornets’, with LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges especially having outstanding seasons. The Rockets will have to change their lineup again without Green, who was key to Wednesday’s fast start. But they must avoid falling into an early hole.
Will the Hornets have their usual energy?
5
The Hornets will be playing the second game in as many nights, with a late arrival from Charlotte after playing the Timberwolves on Friday. The Hornets trail only the Rockets and Lakers in pace. They are typically at their best in the open court with Ball creating. But that requires their usual energy. The Hornets lost in the second game of each of their first four back-to-backs this season. The Rockets have had the rest disadvantage often in the first month of the season, but now that will begin to even out. They have been off since Wednesday, allowing time for an off day, a practice Friday and a shootaround Saturday.
INJURY/STATUS REPORT
Rockets: Guards John Wall (not injury related), Jalen Green (hamstring), Josh Christopher (G League assignment) and Daishen Nix (G League assignment) and forward Usman Garuba (G League assignment) are out.
Hornets: Center Mason Plumlee (strained calf) is questionable. Center Vernon Carey Jr. (G League assignment,) forward J.T. Thor (G League assignment), forward Arnoldas Kolboka (G League assignment) and guard Scottie Lewis (G League assignment) are out.