Rockets vs. Thunder Preview: How to Watch, Injury Reports, Lineups, More

The Houston Rockets will close their home-and-home series against the Thunder on Tuesday night inside the Paycom Center.

Author:
Coty M. Davis
Publish date:
Feb 27, 2024 9:00 AM EST

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Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets will close their home-and-home series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night inside the Paycom Center. The game will mark the first of a three-game road trip for Houston, ending with a two-game set against the Phoenix Suns. The Rockets have the league's second-worst road record at 5-22.

They still have their eyes on making the Play-In Tournament. The Rockets will enter Oklahoma City four games behind the Golden State Warriors for the 10th and final Play-In Spot. Houston sustained a disappointing loss to the Thunder Sunday night despite holding a 16-point lead midway through the second quarter.

"It was a tale of two halves," coach Ime Udoka said. "We executed the game plan well during the first half until the last few minutes. But we have to be mature enough to do it again.

"At times, when the offense isn't going, the defense begins to slip. Guys started to do too much one-on-one. It's a growing process of maturity, understanding what is going to win us the game and sticking with it."

Houston's final regular-season meeting against the Thunder will also mark the third career meeting against Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr. The No. 2 and No. 3 picks of the 2022 NBA Draft put on a show inside the Toyota Center.

Holmgren led the Thunder to a comeback victory with 29 points on 11 of 16 shooting from the field, eight rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and a steal. Smith finished with 20 points and 17 rebounds in the loss.