Houston Rockets vs. Toronto Raptors Preview: How to Watch, Injury Reports, Lineups, More
The Houston Rockets will continue their four-game road trip Friday night during an interconference match against the Toronto Raptors. After a quiet trade deadline day, the Rockets will return to the court with the same team that left Indiana following a 132-129 defeat inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
With Fred VanVleet sidelined due to a left adductor strain, rookie Amen Thompson started in his absence and had his most impactful game. He finished with a near triple-double of 13 points (6 of 13 FG), 13 rebounds, six assists and three blocks — proving that the Rockets have a prominent two-way star.
"I felt good out there for my second start," Thompson said. "I felt defensively I was playing really hard. Offensively, the team was trying to push the pace, and I felt like we did a good job but could not get the win."
Thompson will start the second consecutive game in place of the injured VanVleet. However, the Raptors will look slightly different from the team that fell 135-106 to the Rockets a week ago.
The Raptors made a pair of trades Thursday afternoon. And now, they are coming into the Scotiabank Arena a bit short-handed. However, the Raptors still have first-time All-Star Scottie Barnes, who scored 28 points in the Raptors' blowout loss in Houston on Feb. 2.
Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) reacts while dribbling against the Toronto Raptors in the fourth quarter at Toyota Center.
Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Rockets vs. Raptors Broadcast Information
- Date: Friday, Feb. 9
- Time: 6 p.m.
- TV Channel: Space City Home Network
- Radio: 790 AM
- Live Stream: League Pass
Rockets vs. Raptors Injury Report
Houston Rockets
- Fred VanVleet (OUT - (Left Adductor Strain)
- Tari Eason (OUT - Leg)
- Steven Adams (OUT - Knee)
Toronto Raptors
- Ochai Agbaji (QUESTIONABLE - Pending Trade)
- Kelly Olynyk (QUESTIONABLE - Pending Trade)
- Spencer Dinwiddie (OUT - Not With Team)
- Jontay Porter (QUESTIONABLE - Lower Back Spasms)
Rockets vs. Raptors Projected Starting Lineups
Toronto Raptors
- PG Immanuel Quickley
- SG Gary Trent Jr.
- SF R.J. Barrett
- PF Scottie Barnes
- C Jakob Poeltl
Houston Rockets
- PG Amen Thompson
- SG Jalen Green
- SF Dillon Brooks
- PF Jabari Smith Jr.
- C Alperen Sengun
