The Houston Rockets return to the Toyota Center to host the Golden State Warriors in a win-or-go-home matchup for the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup. The winner of the contest will travel to Las Vegas to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinals Saturday.
"Let's go get it done," head coach Ime Udoka said. "It's good to play in meaningful games."
Rockets forward Tari Eason is returning to the lineup after missing two straight games in concussion protocol.
The other half of the "Terror Twins," Amen Thompson, is coming off a 22-point performance in a 117-106 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Thompson is "such a great driver and slasher," Udoka said. "He doesn't have to be reliant on jump shots."
The Warriors are on a 15-game win streak against the Rockets, including being 2-0 this season. The last time the Western Conference foes faced each other was December 5 in San Francisco, as the Warriors won 99-93. Golden State was missing starters Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, and Jonathan Kuminga recorded a career-high 33 points. However, both Curry and Green are available for Wednesday's matchup.
"They do play very differently when Curry is back," Udoka said.
Green serves as the leader for the Warriors' defense and draws comparisons to Dillon Brooks in the sense of getting under the skin of the opponent.
"Use it as motivation, and don't back down and shy away from it," Udoka said. "To some extent, try to bully the bully."
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