Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
TV: Space City Home Network (SCHN) / Monumental Sports Network (MNMT)
Radio: Rockets Radio Network / Wizards Radio / SiriusXM NBA Radio / NBA League Pass
Game Context
The Rockets sit 3rd in the Western Conference and are battling for homecourt advantage in the first round, coming off a tough road loss but holding a strong 17-15 road record. The Wizards are 13th in the Eastern Conference and have been eliminated from realistic playoff contention for months. Washington is on a four-game losing skid and owns one of the league’s worst home records (11-20). A Rockets win would improve their road record and keep pressure on the top West seeds; the Wizards are simply playing for pride, lottery positioning, and development.
Recent Form
Houston Rockets (3-2 in last 5):
- L 105-115 at Miami (Feb 28)
- W 113-108 at Orlando (Feb 26)
- W 128-97 vs. Sacramento (Feb 25)
- W 125-105 vs. Utah (Feb 23)
- L 106-108 at New York (Feb 21)
Houston is averaging 118+ PPG in wins during this stretch while posting elite defensive numbers. The offense flows through Alperen Şengün and Kevin Durant, with Reed Sheppard providing elite shooting off the bench.
Washington Wizards (1-4 in last 5, 4-game losing streak):
- L 125-134 vs. Toronto (Mar 1)
- L vs. recent opponents (including blowout losses)
- Struggling to score efficiently and allowing 120+ PPG in the skid.
Washington ranks near the bottom in defensive rating and has been particularly poor at home.
Injury Report
Houston Rockets
- Jabari Smith Jr. (F) — OUT (right ankle sprain; expected return ~March 5)
- Jae’Sean Tate (F) — OUT (knee; expected return ~March 10)
- Steven Adams (C) — OUT for season (ankle surgery)
- Fred VanVleet (G) — OUT (knee; long-term / season-ending concern)
Houston is thin in the frontcourt but has adapted well with Tari Eason, Dillon Brooks, and Amen Thompson stepping up.
Washington Wizards
- Anthony Davis (F) — OUT for season (finger fracture)
- Cam Whitmore (F) — OUT for season (shoulder)
- Alex Sarr (F) — OUT (hamstring)
- D’Angelo Russell (G) — DAY-TO-DAY (illness)
- Trae Young (G) — DAY-TO-DAY (right knee contusion)
The Wizards are extremely shorthanded. Even if Young and Russell play, their minutes will likely be limited.
Key Player Matchups
- PG: Reed Sheppard / Amen Thompson vs. Trae Young / D’Angelo Russell (if active) — Sheppard’s shooting and Thompson’s athleticism exploit Washington’s depleted backcourt.
- Wings/Forwards: Kevin Durant / Tari Eason vs. Bilal Coulibaly / Kyle Kuzma — Durant (still elite scorer) should feast against a Wizards frontcourt missing Davis and Sarr.
- Frontcourt: Alperen Şengün vs. thin Wizards bigs — Şengün dominates the paint and glass; Washington has no answer inside.
- Bench/Depth — Rockets have far superior rotation pieces; Wizards are relying on G-League call-ups and overworked starters.
Series History
- 2025-26 season: Rockets won the only prior meeting 135-112 on Nov 12 in Houston (Durant led scoring).
- All-time regular season: Rockets have won the last 6 straight meetings and 8 of the last 10.
- Recent trend: Houston has covered the spread in 5 of the last 6 vs. Washington and dominated by double digits repeatedly.
Betting Trends
- Rockets are 8-2 ATS as 10+ point favorites this season and 6-4 ATS on the road.
- Wizards are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 and have failed to cover as home dogs in most recent games vs. strong Western teams.
- Total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston’s last 6 and in 6 of Washington’s last 8 home games.
- Rockets 17-15 on the road but dominate weak Eastern opponents; Wizards 1-4 SU in last 5.
Game Odds
Houston Rockets – 15.5
Washington Wizards 224.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, March 1, 2026
