After a long and distinguished run in Toronto that included the 2019 NBA championship, Fred VanVleet returns to Scotiabank Arena on Friday as a member of the visiting Houston Rockets.
Unfortunately, due to a left adductor strain, VanVleet will have to watch his tribute video and applause from the sidelines. Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) remains out, as well.
Nonetheless, with no changes at Thursday’s trade deadline, the Rockets have most of the group that routed the Raptors last Friday in Houston. Rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore each posted career-high scoring totals in that game, and they will likely be asked to take on more playmaking duties in VanVleet’s absence.
The Raptors will be short-handed, as well, after moving veteran guard Dennis Schroder to Brooklyn at Thursday’s deadline.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Friday, Feb. 9
- Time: 6:30 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 (23-27)
- Guard: Amen Thompson
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Dillon Brooks
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Toronto Raptors (18-33)
- Guard: Immanuel Quickley
- Guard: Gary Trent Jr.
- Forward: RJ Barrett
- Forward: Scottie Barnes
- Center: Jakob Poeltl
Projected lineups are based on each team’s previous game.
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report lists Steven Adams (right knee PCL surgery), Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management), and Fred VanVleet (left adductor strain) as out for Friday’s game. The latter two could return within the next week. Nate Williams is in the NBA G League.
Toronto is listing Spencer Dinwiddie (not with team) as out for Friday, while Jontay Porter (lower back spasms), Kelly Olynyk (trade pending), and Ochai Agbaji (trade pending) are all questionable.
Markquis Nowell is in the G League.
Feb. 9 uniform choices
- Rockets: White Association Edition
- Raptors: Black Statement Edition
