The Houston Rockets (3-3) will look to bounce back from a dismal performance in their previous game as they face the struggling Washington Wizards (1-4) at the Verizon Center on Monday, Nov. 7.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 7:00 p.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru the NBA League Pass.
Preview
Houston has been mercurial lately under new head coach Mike D'Antoni's new system with James Harden being utilized as the point guard. Harden is currently fourth in scoring with 31.5 per game and leads the league in assists with 12.3 a night, but the Rockets could not win consistently, losing two of their last three games.
The team is coming off a 112-97 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on the road at the Philips Arena last Saturday for their third defeat in their first six games this season, as per the Houston Chronicle.
It was the first time the Rockets played against former center Dwight Howard since he joined Atlanta in free-agency during the summer.
As usual, Harden led Houston with an almost triple-double performance of 30 points, nine rebounds, and 12 assists as he went 10-for-19 from the field including a 4-for-8 stint from the three-point line.
Three other Rockets starters scored in double figures, namely Ryan Anderson, Clint Capela, and Trevor Ariza, who had 12, 12, and 10 points respectively.
Off the bench, shooting guard KJ McDaniels contributed 13 points and two boards in only 19 minutes of floor time.
Meanwhile, the Wizards are worse than the Rockets, losing four of their first five games so far in the season.
Their latest defeat was in the hands of the Orlando Magic, 88-86, also last Saturday on the road at the Amway Center in Orlando, SB Nation reported.
Head coach Scott Brooks' squad played without team leader John Wall, who was given the restriction of not playing in the second night of back-to-backs until further notice.
Wall had undergone separate procedures on both of his knees during the offseason and both player and coach agreed to the plan ahead of the new season. He is expected to suit up against the Rockets, though.
The offense has evidently slumped without Wall, with power forward Markieff Morris top scoring with 18 points. Wall's backcourt partner, Bradley Beal, had a dismal game with 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists, shooting 6-for-17 from the field.
Small forward Otto Porter Jr. had a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds in a solid performance.
Prediction
The Wizards are not at their best right now and it is hard to see them outscore the Rockets in this match. Houston in a double-digit victory is predicted.