The Charlotte Hornets travel to Houston aiming to extend their recent surge, riding a seven-game winning streak that has propelled them back into play-in contention despite a middling overall record. The Rockets, holding strong as the fourth seed in the West, look to rebound from a recent loss to Boston while leveraging their elite defense (fourth in points allowed at 110.1 PPG) against a Hornets offense that’s averaged 116.0 PPG during their streak. This interconference matchup features intriguing contrasts: Charlotte’s high-volume three-point shooting (13.7 made per game, league average) against Houston’s perimeter defense, and the Rockets’ rebounding dominance (49.4 RPG, first in NBA) exploiting the Hornets’ weaknesses on the boards (46.0 RPG, fifth).
Venue Location
Toyota Center, Houston, Texas.
Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PST).
Injury Report
The Rockets are managing multiple long-term absences in their backcourt and frontcourt, while the Hornets’ injuries are more minor but could impact depth. Recent trades have not directly affected availability for this game.
Charlotte Hornets:
Out: KJ Simpson (hip – expected back Feb. 7), Mason Plumlee (groin – surgery, reevaluated in six weeks).
Questionable/Day-to-Day: Tidjane Salaun (illness).
Houston Rockets:
Out: Fred VanVleet (knee – ACL, out for season), Steven Adams (ankle – surgery, out for season), Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle – injury management).
Questionable/Day-to-Day: Kevin Durant (ankle – sprain, probable but on back-to-back).
Key Player Matchups
Injuries force adjustments, with Houston’s projected starters: Amen Thompson (PG), Reed Sheppard (SG), Dillon Brooks (SF), Kevin Durant (PF – if available), Alperen Sengun (C). Charlotte’s lineup: LaMelo Ball (PG), Brandon Miller (SG), Miles Bridges (SF), Moussa Diabate (PF), Ryan Kalkbrenner (C). These battles emphasize Houston’s size advantage inside against Charlotte’s guard-driven offense.
LaMelo Ball vs. Amen Thompson (Point Guards): Ball (averaging 24.0+ PPG in recent wins, with triple-double potential) faces Thompson (18.1 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.4 SPG), whose athleticism could disrupt Ball’s rhythm on a back-to-back for Houston.
Alperen Sengun vs. Ryan Kalkbrenner (Centers): Sengun (21.1 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 6.3 APG) dominates with playmaking; Kalkbrenner (defensive anchor but limited offensively) will struggle to contain him in the paint.
Brandon Miller vs. Dillon Brooks (Wings): Miller (20.6 PPG) is Charlotte’s secondary scorer, but Brooks’ tenacious defense (holding opponents to low FG%) could limit his efficiency.
Other Notes: If Durant plays (26.5 PPG), he mismatches against Bridges (versatile but undersized). Reed Sheppard (12.6 PPG, 2.4 3PM) exploits perimeter gaps vs. Miller.
Recent Team Forms
Charlotte Hornets (7-3 in last 10 games): Averaging 116.0 PPG while allowing 114.2. They’ve won seven straight, including a 102-95 home victory over New Orleans on Feb. 2 (Ball: 24 PTS) and road wins at Miami (Jan. 28) and Washington (Jan. 26). The streak includes three as road underdogs. Road form: 4 straight wins, 6-4 in last 10 away.
Houston Rockets (7-3 in last 10 games): Averaging 116.0 PPG while allowing 110.0. They lost 114-93 to Boston on Feb. 4 but won 118-114 at Indiana on Feb. 2 (Sengun: 25 PTS, 12 REB). Highlights include a 111-107 home win over Dallas (Jan. 31). Home form: 17-5 overall, 7-3 in last 10 home.
Series History
The Rockets lead the all-time series 51-20.
In recent meetings, it’s split 5-5 over the last 10, with Houston winning the most recent on Dec. 23, 2025 (114-101 at Charlotte) and Charlotte taking Oct. 23, 2025 (110-105 at Houston). The Rockets are 30-12 at home all-time vs. Hornets.
Betting Trends
Spread (ATS): Hornets 30-21 ATS overall (58.8%), 11-4 as road underdogs recently. Rockets 22-27 ATS (45.8%), 15-22 as favorites of 3.5+ points. bleachernation.com +4
Over/Under: Over has hit in 27 of Rockets’ 49 games (55.1%) and 40 of Hornets’ 51 (78.4%), with combined averages at 231.5 PPG in series history.
Game Odds
Charlotte Hornets 216.5
Houston Rockets – 2.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, February 4, 2026
