Score Prediction For Charlotte Hornets vs. Houston Rockets

The Hornets on SI Staff picks tonight’s matchup with tbe Rockets.

Jan 31, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) shoots over San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) during the second quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images | Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images

The Charlotte Hornets hit the road again, this time in Houston vs. Kevin Durant’s Houston Rockets, with a chance to extend their winning streak to eight games. Here is what our Hornets on SI Staff think ahead of tonight’s matchup:

Owen Watterson: Rockets 115, Hornets 101

Queue the Willie Nelson boys: we're back out on the road again. This time without Collin Sexton, and Hornets’ newly acquired PG Coby White’s status in this game is unknown. Even if he dresses, you can imagine it would take him a few days to acclimate, anyway. To the team, offense, all of it. Not the best timing with a seven-game win streak on the line in Houston versus KD and the Rockets, who have everyone healthy and rearing to go in their Western Conference seeding push. Charlotte will be outmanned and outgunned tonight, but I expect a valiant effort nonetheless in an attempt at the first eight-in-a-row streak since 1999.

Zachary Roberts: Rockets 117, Hornets 110

At some point, the Hornets are going to slow down. They can't keep winning forever, and the Rockets are, simply put, very good. They're also pretty healthy, so the Hornets won't get a boost from someone missing the game. A road contest against a Western Conference power just isn't ideal for the Hornets, but I fully expect the hot streak they've been on to at least keep it close.

Schuyler Callihan: Rockets 118, Hornets 111

Unfortunately, I'm going to agree with my colleagues here and say the fun comes to an end (for now). Houston poses a ton of issues offensively, especially when they have one of the best scorers on the planet in Kevin Durant. I get the sense that this could be another slow start, similar to the one they just had against New Orleans a few days ago. This time, though, digging out of a big hole is not going to be as easy. I'll take the Rockets comfortably winning with Charlotte knocking down a pair of meaningless buckets late.

The Hornets and Rockets will tip things off at 8 p.m. ET.

- MORE STORIES FROM CHARLOTTE HORNETS ON SI -

Hornets' Jeff Peterson is Cooking at the Trade Deadline and Sticking to His Blueprint

NBA Insider Believes Charlotte Hornets Plan to Re-Sign Coby White After Trade

Charlotte Hornets' Trade Deadline Activity is Bad News for Tre Mann

Who Should the Hornets Target Next Ahead of the Trade Deadline?