Houston beat Atlanta 121-114 on Oct. 24 and gets the rematch tonight at Toyota Center. Steven Adams is the one rotation absence with a firm date: Oct. 28.
Last season
Houston went 52-30 and lost to the Lakers in the opening series, though it forced a game 6 after trailing 3-0. Ime Udoka now starts his fourth year with Kevin Durant, 38, and a $205.5M payroll that sits above the $200.4M tax threshold.
Oct. 21-24
The Rockets beat Dallas 128-110, San Antonio 114-110 and Atlanta 121-114. Their ratings last season: 122.6 offense, 112.5 defense, +10.2 net, pace 98.8. Durant averages 24.0 points with a 3P% of 53.8. Alperen Sengun adds 23.0 points and 6.3 assists.
Sunday
The injury list shrank. Fred VanVleet was cleared. Adams was moved to out with a right calf problem and a return date of Oct. 28. Marcus Smart, listed with a left forearm injury, carries a return date of today. ESPN reported Reed Sheppard hit five threes in Atlanta.
Tonight
Atlanta is 2-1 and posted 120.6 offense and 105.8 defense last season. Jalen Johnson had 26 points, 16 assists and nine rebounds in the loss. Henri Veesaar and Mouhamed Gueye are out for the Hawks. Both teams had one day of rest.
This week
Houston plays at Milwaukee on Oct. 28 and at Dallas on Oct. 30, then hosts Oklahoma City on Oct. 31. That last stretch is the week's back-to-back. The open question is who covers Adams' center minutes if Smart is also limited.
Is Steven Adams playing against the Hawks?
No. He is listed as out because of a right calf injury, with a return date of Oct. 28.
What is the Rockets' record this season?
Houston is 3-0 and first in the West, riding a three-game winning streak.
