The Houston Rockets are reeling, having lost each of their last three games to fall back to third place in the Western Conference, one and a half games ahead of the fourth-place Denver Nuggets. They’ve been competitive without their sole All-Star, center Alperen Şengün, who has been out with a calf strain. In three games without Şengün, Houston has lost narrowly to the Memphis Grizzlies, Brooklyn Nets, and New York Knicks.
Thankfully for the Rockets, Şengün looks set to make his return for the rematch against the Nets tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET, as Houston has officially limited him as probable for the contest. With only Jock Landale, Jabari Smith Jr., and Fred VanVleet out, the Rockets will roster a mostly healthy squad against an extremely banged-up Brooklyn unit that is just 3-7 in its last 10 games despite winning each of its last two.
Houston got out-rebounded, 46 to 44, against the Nets on Saturday, and it shot just 40.0% from the field and 30.8% from deep. With Şengün — who averages 10.4 rebounds per game and has posted a respectable 54.0% true shooting percentage this season — it is unlikely to do so again. Overall, Brooklyn has allowed the 13th-fewest points, ninth-fewest rebounds, and 10th-most assists per game to opposing players, although its offense plays at the league’s slowest pace.
The Rockets are 10-point favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook, with the point total set to 212.
