Rockets vs. Thunder: Limiting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Again Will Not Be An Easy Feat

The Houston Rockets will attempt to replicate their defensive performance on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Saturday night against the Thunder.

The Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder will compete against each other in a classic battle of rest versus fatigue.

The Rockets will be competing in the second half of a back-to-back following a loss to the Toronto Raptors Friday night. But the Thunder have not played a game since sustaining a 112-106 loss to the Rockets on Wednesday.

Tari Eason had his best performance of his rookie campaign with a career-best 20 points and 13 rebounds in the win.

"Down the line, he is going to be pretty damn good," Eric Gordon said. "I just love the way he plays. He plays hard and has a knack to find the ball with his rebounding and scoring."

Rockets vs. Thunder Broadcast Information:

• Date: Saturday, Feb. 4
• Time: 7:00 p.m.
• TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet
• Radio: 790 AM
• Live Stream: League Pass

Rockets Injury Report:

• Kevin Porter Jr. (left foot contusion) OUT
• Jalen Green (right calf contusion) QUESTIONABLE

Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report:

• Luguentz Dort (right hamstring strain) OUT
• Chet Holmgren (right foot surgery) OUT
• Aleksej Pokusevski (left tibial plateau) OUT

Three things to watch:

Limiting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander again:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came into the Toyota Center on Wednesday fifth in the league in scoring, averaging 30.9 points. And after scoring 31 points in a loss to the Golden State Warriors two nights prior, Gilgeous-Alexander had recorded five straight 30-plus performances.

But against one of the league's top scorers, the Rockets had one of their best defensive performances. They limited SGA to 24 points on an inefficient 7-of-23 shooting.

Coach Stephen Silas described the defense played on SGA as a team effort. He credited several players for their defensive play. But Silas emphasized the defensive performances of Daishen Nix and Jae'Sean Tate as Houston's top contributors.

Who's in and who's out:

The Rockets have been short-handed over the past seven days due to the absences of Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. Silas announced before Friday's contest that Green could make his return against the Thunder. But Jae'Sean Tate and Eric Gordon are unlikely available due to injury management.

Sustaining their dominance:

Dating back to the 2020-21 season, the Rockets have recorded victories in six of their last eight meetings against the Thunder. The Rockets are 2-0 against the Thunder this season.

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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