The ongoing six-game road trip for Houston (18-17) — the Rockets’ longest in more than a decade — didn’t get off to an ideal start thanks to Monday’s seven-point loss to the Miami Heat.
On Wednesday, the Rockets have an opportunity to make amends when they face the Bulls (17-21) in Chicago. On paper, they need to.
After facing losing teams, Chicago and Detroit (3-33), the Rockets will wrap up the road trip with a difficult three-game stretch. On the second night of a back-to-back, they head to Boston on Saturday. The Celtics (28-8) own the NBA’s best record.
The Rockets then travel down the East Coast to face the 76ers (23-12) on Monday and the Knicks (21-15) next Wednesday.
Thus, Houston needs to take advantage of an opportunity to improve its record in these matchups against lesser teams. Even so, Wednesday’s game in Chicago could be more challenging than it first appears, since the Bulls enter with seven wins in their last 11 outings.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Wednesday, Jan. 10
- Time: 7 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 (18-17)
- Guard: Fred VanVleet
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Jae’Sean Tate
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Chicago Bulls (17-21)
- Guard: Coby White
- Guard: Alex Caruso
- Forward: DeMar DeRozan
- Forward: Patrick Williams
- Center: Andre Drummond
Projected lineups are based on each team’s previous game.
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report lists Victor Oladipo (left patellar tendon repair), Dillon Brooks (right oblique strain) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) as out. Nate Hinton, Jermaine Samuels Jr. and Nate Williams are with the team’s NBA G League affiliate.
On the other side, Chicago is without Lonzo Ball (left knee surgery) and Torrey Craig (right plantar fascia sprain) due to injury, while Adama Sanogo, Henri Drell and Onuralp Bitim are in the G League.
Patrick Williams (right ankle strain), Zach LaVine (right shoulder soreness, right foot inflammation) and Alex Caruso (cervical strain) are probable to play in Wednesday’s game against the Rockets.
Jan. 10 uniform choices
- Rockets: Black Statement Edition
- Bulls: White Association Edition
Latest interviews
#Rockets lose the 1st game of their 6-game road trip to Miami 120-113
Fred VanVleet
32 PTS / 7 3'S / 7 AST / 5 REB / 2 BLK@HoustonRockets back in action Wednesday at Chicago pic.twitter.com/5o8JNUuiWm— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 9, 2024
#Rockets fall to the Heat 120-113
Cam Whitmore
17 MIN / 11 PTS / 5-8 FG / 6 REB@HoustonRockets road trip continues Wednesday in Chicago pic.twitter.com/ZXcNfg62gu— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) January 9, 2024
