The Phoenix Suns are set to tip off against Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets on Friday, Dec. 5.
The Suns (13-9) are coming off a win against the division rival Los Angeles Lakers that snapped LA’s winning streak at seven games.
The Rockets (14-5) also won their most recent game — a 121-95 win over the lowly Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.
This will be the first time the Suns will play against Durant since trading him in the offseason. He missed the previous matchup between the two teams on Nov. 24 due to personal reasons.
Houston’s Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle), Tari Eason (hip) and Fred VanVleet (torn ACL) are all listed as out for the Rockets.
For Phoenix, Jalen Green remains sidelined with a hamstring injury that’s kept him out for all but five quarters this season. Devin Booker is listed as out after suffering a groin injury in the win against the Lakers that limited him to just 10 minutes of action. Fortunately for Suns fans, Booker's injury is not expected to be serious.
Grayson Allen (quad) and Isaiah Livers (hip) are listed as game-time decisions to play.
Here’s how fans can tune in.
What channel is the Suns vs Rockets game on? How to watch on TV, streaming
The matchup between the Suns and Rockets is available to watch on Arizona’s Family, Channel 3.
Fans in Houston can watch on Space City Home Network.
NBA League Pass customers can watch on that service.
What time does the Suns vs Rockets game start?
Tipoff for the game is scheduled for 6 p.m. MST.
What’s the all-time matchup record between the Suns and Rockets?
The Suns hold a very slight advantage in the all-time matchup against the Rockets, sporting a 118-116 record against Houston entering Friday’s game.
Suns vs Rockets prediction
The Suns avoided a three-game losing streak by snapping the Lakers’ seven-game winning streak last time out. They’ve had a few days to rest, but Green being out with the hamstring injury and now Booker joining him on the sidelines with a groin issue limits Phoenix’s depth.
The Rockets are 6-2 at home this season, while the Suns are 5-5 when playing on the road.
Dillon Brooks will likely aim to go Super Saiyan against his former team once again. He took a game-high 22 shots in the previous matchup vs. Houston, scoring a game-high 29 points in a 114-92 loss.
Even if Brooks sticks it to his former team, this is going to be a tough one for the Suns to win against KD and Co.
Prediction: Rockets win 116-101