The Houston Rockets (22-12) face the Portland Trail Blazers (18-20) on Friday, January 9, at 10:00 PM ET at Moda Center, with both teams dealing with significant injuries. Houston comes off a narrow 100-97 win over the Suns but dropped their previous game to the Mavericks, while Portland is riding a four-game winning streak, including a 103-102 victory over the Rockets earlier this month.
Houston will be without Alperen Sengun (right ankle sprain), Fred VanVleet (right knee, ACL recovery), and Isaiah Crawford (illness), while Tristen Newton remains sidelined as a two-way G League player.
Kevin Durant leads the Rockets with 26.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, with Amen Thompson adding 18.2 points and 5.3 assists. Jabari Smith Jr. averages 15.2 points and 6.8 rebounds, and Reed Sheppard contributes 13.1 points per contest.
Portland faces multiple absences, including Damian Lillard (left Achilles tendon), Jerami Grant (left Achilles tendonitis), and Scoot Henderson (left hamstring tear). Jrue Holiday is doubtful with a right calf strain, while Kris Murray, Matisse Thybulle, and Blake Wesley are also sidelined.
Deni Avdija leads the Blazers with 26.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game, with Shaedon Sharpe adding 21.5 points and Toumani Camara 12.8 points and 5.2 rebounds.
This matchup marks the third meeting of the season, with Houston taking the first matchup 140-116, while Portland claimed a 103-102 victory in their most recent game.
