Houston Rockets vs Brooklyn Nets Picks and Predictions February 1st 2025

Rockets Hope to Have All-Star Alperen Sengun Back Against Nets

The Houston Rockets will look to maintain their slim lead in the Southwest Division when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday, but their chances could depend on the availability of newly named All-Star center Alperen Sengun.

Rockets Dealing with Injuries Amid Tight Playoff Race

Sengun, who earned his first career All-Star selection on Thursday, missed his first game of the season that same night due to a bruised calf. Without their star big man, the Rockets suffered a heartbreaking 120-119 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, allowing Memphis to move within a half-game of Houston for the second seed in the Western Conference. The two teams are now tied in the win column for the division lead.

Listed as questionable for Saturday’s matchup, Sengun has been one of the Rockets’ most consistent contributors this season, averaging 19.1 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. His absence is even more significant given Houston’s growing injury concerns—starting forward Jabari Smith Jr. has been out since January 1 with a hand injury, and key reserve Tari Eason has played in just 31 games due to lingering leg soreness.

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Despite these setbacks, guard Jalen Green has remained a steady presence for the Rockets. Green, who leads the team in scoring at 21.3 points per game, has started 151 consecutive games dating back to February 2023. His durability has not gone unnoticed by head coach Ime Udoka.

“It’s something that you don’t take for granted. He hasn’t missed a game since I’ve been here,” Udoka said. “He plays through everything. He plays through injuries and pains and some things that most guys would sit out from. That takes a certain amount of toughness for sure.”

Udoka also praised Green’s ability to play through illness and swelling, highlighting his mental and physical toughness as an essential part of Houston’s success.

Nets Looking to Build Momentum After Ending Losing Streak

Brooklyn (21-29) finally snapped a seven-game losing streak on Wednesday with a dominant 104-83 win over the Charlotte Hornets. That victory provided a much-needed confidence boost for a team that had previously lost 12 of its last 13 games.

The Nets were missing several key players, including Cam Thomas (hamstring), Bojan Bogdanovic (foot), Noah Clowney (ankle), and Cameron Johnson (ankle), but they did get a lift from the return of Ben Simmons, who had missed the previous five games due to illness.

With a depleted roster, Brooklyn leaned on a balanced offensive approach, with six players scoring in double figures against Charlotte. Head coach Jordi Fernandez emphasized that ball movement was crucial to the team’s success.

“The ball’s got energy. If the ball moves and everybody scores, everybody touches the ball, that really makes a difference,” Fernandez said. “We’ve had seven games where we’ve had multiple guys in double digits, and that’s how we want to play for sure.”

Trendon Watford also made his return to action, scoring nine points and grabbing four rebounds in 18 minutes in his first game since December 16.

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What to Expect

If Sengun is able to return, Houston will have a strong chance to secure a bounce-back win at home. However, if he remains sidelined, the Rockets will need another big effort from Green and their supporting cast to hold off a Nets team eager to build momentum.

The key battle in this matchup will be Houston’s ability to control the paint and take advantage of Brooklyn’s injury-depleted roster. Can the Rockets stay on top in the Southwest Division, or will the Nets string together back-to-back wins for the first time in weeks? The answer awaits in Houston.