The Houston Rockets are set to face the Washington Wizards on January 7, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. This matchup features two teams at opposite ends of the standings, with the Rockets boasting a record of 23 wins and 12 losses, currently placing them second in the Western Conference. By comparison, the Wizards have been struggling significantly, posting only six wins against 27 losses, placing them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Houston enters the game on the heels of a three-game road winning streak, hoping to extend this to four. Meanwhile, Washington has struggled at home, with just five wins against 14 losses. Defensively, the Wizards are allowing 121.8 points per game, which puts them among the worst defensive teams, as they have been outscored by 12.9 points on average this season.
The Rockets' recent performance has seen them average 112.3 points per game, positioning them as the 13th highest-scoring team in the league. They have also featured strong defensive metrics, giving up only 106.7 points on average, which ranks them third overall. Their scoring differential stands at +196, and they are outscoring opponents by 5.6 points per game.
Individually, guard Jalen Green leads the Rockets with an average of 20 points per game, alongside Alperen Sengun, who contributes 10.4 rebounds per game, ranking 11th in the league. Unfortunately, the Rockets will miss Jabari Smith Jr. due to a hand injury and have two players listed as questionable: Tari Eason (injury management) and Jalen Green (knee issues).
The Wizards will also be operating at less than full strength, listing key players on their injury report. Jordan Poole's status is questionable due to hip issues, and the Wizards' lineup will be missing Marvin Bagley III, Saddiq Bey, and Malcolm Brogdon. Washington has only managed to average 108.9 points per game, ranking them 24th across the league, and their rebounding statistics show they are being outrebounded by 4.1 boards per game (44.2 rebounds per game, allowing 48.3). Poole, if he plays, leads the Wizards with 21.8 points per game, solidifying his position as the team's primary scorer.
From shooting metrics, the Rockets sink 11.8 three-pointers per game but struggle from beyond the arc, ranking 26th with 32.6% accuracy. The Wizards, meanwhile, are slightly more prolific at hitting 12.2 three-pointers on average. If Poole plays, he is expected to be pivotal as he is shooting 3.6 threes per game, placing him among the best shooters.
The significance of this game is underscored by both teams' needs to adjust to their injury crises and improve their standings. For the Rockets, maintaining momentum on the road is key, and success on January 7 could boost their confidence moving forward. Meanwhile, the Wizards desperately need to turn their season around and find any semblance of consistency. All eyes will be on how both teams adapt their game plans considering the current injuries.
The upcoming matchup has drawn attention not only because of the raw statistics and standings but also due to the individual performances expected from the players involved. How will the Rockets manage the absence of Smith Jr.? Will Poole’s health allow him to impact the game? These questions lead to anticipation for what promises to be an exciting encounter.
"Houston will try to keep its three-game road win streak alive when the Rockets take on Washington," noted the Associated Press, highlighting the importance of this game for Houston’s confidence. Fans and analysts alike will be tuning in to see if the Rockets can capitalize on their current form or if the Wizards can make a surprising comeback on their home court. The stage is set, and both teams will look to seize this opportunity as they head toward the mid-point of the season.