In what is effectively the rubber match of a three-game series between the teams over a nine-day span, the Houston Rockets will again face the Suns at Phoenix’s Footprint Center on Saturday night.
The Rockets (25-34) won last Friday’s game in Houston, while the Suns (35-24) won Thursday’s rematch in Phoenix.
The location of Saturday’s game could be bad news for the Rockets, who are a woeful 5-24 away from Houston this season. A lofty 20-10 home mark has kept the overall record fairly respectable.
For the reeling Rockets, whose odds of a run to the Western Conference play-in tournament continue to tumble, the biggest problem in Thursday’s loss was finding sources of offense outside of Jalen Green. While the third-year guard had a team-high 34 points and a season-high seven made 3-pointers, Houston shot just 33-of-99 overall and 11-of-45 from 3-point range (24.4%) as a team.
In particular, talented big man Alperen Sengun struggled with efficiency and foul trouble against Jusuf Nurkic before being ejected, and he’ll look to get back on track in Saturday’s rematch.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Saturday, March 2
- Time: 8 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 (25-34)
- Guard: Fred VanVleet
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Dillon Brooks
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Phoenix Suns (35-24)
- Guard: Devin Booker
- Guard: Grayson Allen
- Forward: Bradley Beal
- Forward: Kevin Durant
- Center: Jusuf Nurkic
Projected lineups are based on each team’s previous game, with the exception of Beal — who is listed as probable to return from injury — potentially replacing Royce O’Neale in a wing role.
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report lists Steven Adams (right knee PCL surgery) and Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) as out, while Nate Hinton and Jermaine Samuels Jr. remain in the G League.
Phoenix is listing Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery) as out for Saturday, while Nassir Little (left knee inflammation) is doubtful.
Eric Gordon (left groin surgery) is questionable to play, while Bradley Beal (left hamstring injury management) is probable to return.
March 2 uniform choices
- Rockets: White Association Edition
- Suns: Purple Icon Edition
Latest interviews
Fred VanVleet 21 PTS / 6 REB / 5 AST
He spoke with the media after the #Rockets 110-105 loss to the Suns pic.twitter.com/1CrkBf8nD9
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) March 1, 2024
#Rockets Jalen Green tonight vs PHX
🏀34 PTS🏀5 REB🏀3 STL🏀He spoke with the media after the game pic.twitter.com/N5hp0Tp5Wc
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) March 1, 2024
