Ben DuBose, editor of The Rockets Wire, joins Next Up to preview the Houston Rockets traveling to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder tonight in a Western Conference matchup. The Thunder are currently ranked No. 2 in the Western Conference, while the Rockets sit behind the Golden State Warriors for the final spot in the Play-In Tournament. The Rockets could earn 10-straight wins if they defeat the Thunder tonight.
The Thunder, led by point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, garnered their 50th win against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday and return to back to Oklahoma City to finish out a back-to-back. However, Gilgeous-Alexander is battling a quadricep injury, so his availability tonight is a "huge variable" in the Rockets matchup according to DuBose. "It's really, really tough" for the Rockets if Gilgeous-Alexander is on the floor, and "do [the Rockets] have the fire power without [Alperen Şengün]" to counter other Thunder starters like Chet Holmgren?
DuBose also comments on the Rockets continuing to stay "physical" on defense despite being undersized and makes a case for Ime Udoka to win NBA Coach of the Year.
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