Keep this list handy – these absences have the potential to completely tilt the course of the game.
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Injury Report:
Houston:
Outside: Center – Steven Adams (ankle)
Outside: Forward – Kevin Durant (individual)
Outside: Forward – Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle)
Outside: Forward – Tari Eason (hip)
Outside: Guard – Fred VanVleet (ACL)
Golden State:
day to day: Center – Draymond Green (foot)
day to day: Forward – Alex Toohey (knee)
Outside: Center – Al Horford (sciatica)
Outside: Forward – Jonathan Kuminga (knee)
Outside: Guard – D’Anthony Melton (knee)
When: Wednesday, November 25 @ 9:00 PM CT
Where: pursuit center
Where to watch:
espn
FuboTV (with subscription)
ESPN Unlimited (with subscription)
What immediately stands out is the absence of Kevin Durant, and how quickly it changes Houston’s offensive identity. Durant is there to draw doubles and collapse the defense, making kickouts easier, because the opponent cannot guard everyone.
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The Rockets have several shooting options around the perimeter, such as Josh Okogie, Reid Shepard, Jabari Smith Jr. and Aaron Holiday. Without Durant, Golden State may be surrounded by shooters. His strengths lie in perimeter discipline, and he loves to jump out of passing lanes and turn lazy kickouts into quick transition points. Houston can score, but they have to work for it.
The Warriors haven’t been strong in the paint, but Adams being out means more than some people think. Adams is the reason the Rockets survived non-season minutes. He is key to knocking down the boards that lead to those clutch Amen Thompson breaks and second chance looks that keep the Rockets alive when Sengun is kept on the bench. If anyone gets doubled in this game, it will be Sengun, who could tire him out, so Adams’ absence is a real problem.
Where Houston could take advantage is speed. Golden State doesn’t have the physically threatening interior team that Denver did in the last game, and they don’t stop the transition as well as before. Thompson should be able to take it down low, and if Shepard and/or Holiday catch fire early, it could completely change the game.
Smith’s length will matter against Moses Moody and Gary Payton II, who will avoid backdoor cuts, especially if Houston falls asleep again in the third quarter. The swing factor will be just that – the Rockets can’t afford to miss a third quarter against the Warriors, especially if Curry starts cooking from deep.
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This won’t be the Rockets’ biggest or even fairest test, but it will be a revealing game that shows who Houston is without their safety valve. Each possession will require control and intent rather than relying on Durant’s seriousness. If the Rockets dominate in this one, it won’t be because they’re healthier or hotter – it’ll be because they’re simply better.
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