After a 1-5 road trip, the Rockets (19-21) are currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the play-in tournament picture within the Western Conference. Teams need to finish in the top 10 to secure a berth in either the playoffs or the play-in tournament, and Houston has slipped to No. 11 in the West standings.
One of the teams that passed Houston in recent days is Utah, and the Rockets will have an opportunity to rectify that situation when the Jazz (22-21) visit Toyota Center on Saturday. It’s the start of a three-game homestand for Houston, which is 15-6 at home this season.
The Rockets enter with a rest advantage, having not played since Wednesday’s loss in New York. However, head coach Ime Udoka will still have back-to-back factors to consider, since Houston has another game looming on Sunday night versus Boston.
The limited silver lining is that Sunday’s game is also in Houston, so the Rockets won’t have any travel between games.
In contrast to the Rockets, the Jazz enter with considerable momentum, having won 12 of their past 15 games.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 20
- Time: 7:00 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (19-21)
- Guard: Fred VanVleet
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Dillon Brooks
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Utah Jazz (22-21)
- Guard: Collin Sexton
- Guard: Kris Dunn
- Forward: Simone Fontecchio
- Forward: Lauri Markkanen
- Center: John Collins
Projected lineups are based on each team’s previous game.
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report for Saturday lists Victor Oladipo (left patellar tendon repair) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) as out, while Reggie Bullock (lower back pain) is questionable. Nate Hinton and Jermaine Samuels Jr. are in the NBA G League, while Nate Williams was recently recalled and is with the Rockets.
Utah does not have any listed injuries. With a healthy roster, young prospects Taylor Hendricks, Johnny Juzang, Micah Potter, Jason Preston, and Brice Sensabaugh are in the G League.
Jan. 20 uniform choices
- Rockets: White City Edition
- Jazz: Black Statement Edition
