Game Details
The Houston Rockets (20-10) will face off against the Brooklyn Nets (10-20) in an Eastern vs. Western Conference matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM ET.
It will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, the home arena of the Nets.
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Television coverage includes YES for the local Nets broadcast and Space City Home Network (SCHN) for Rockets fans.
This marks the second meeting between the teams this season, following Houston’s dominant 137-109 victory over Brooklyn on October 27, 2025.
Recent Team Forms
The Rockets are in excellent form, riding a three-game winning streak that includes a 126-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers in their most recent outing.
Over their last 10 games, Houston has gone 7-3, with strong offensive output averaging 118.2 points per game while holding opponents to 110.5. Their defense has been particularly stout, ranking in the top 5 league-wide in points allowed. Key to their success has been balanced scoring and rebounding dominance.
The Nets, however, have been inconsistent, dropping their last game 107-120 to the Golden State Warriors.
In December, they showed signs of improvement with a 7-4 record and the league’s best defense, holding opponents under 105 points per game in several contests.
But overall, they’ve gone 3-7 in their last 10, plagued by offensive inefficiencies (averaging just 108.4 points) and a rebuilding roster featuring multiple rookies.
Brooklyn’s youth movement, including five first-round picks on the roster, has led to growing pains but occasional flashes of potential.
| Team | Last 5 Games | Streak | PPG (Last 10) | Opp PPG (Last 10) |
| Houston Rockets | W-W-W-L-W | W3 | 118.2 | 110.5 |
| Brooklyn Nets | L-W-L-L-W | L1 | 108.4 | 114.7 |
Injury Report
Houston faces several question marks in their frontcourt. Alperen Sengun is game-time decision (GTD) with a left soleus strain (previously listed as calf), which could impact their interior presence.
Steven Adams is questionable with a right ankle sprain, Clint Capela is questionable due to illness, and Tari Eason is also questionable with illness.
Additionally, point guard Fred VanVleet is out for the season with a torn ACL, a major blow to their playmaking.
For Brooklyn, Michael Porter Jr. is out for personal reasons, depriving them of a key scoring wing who has averaged 25.7 points per game this season.
The Nets have four players listed overall, but specifics on others like rookies Egor Demin (who recently tied a career high) are not detailed in reports.
This leaves Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton as the primary healthy contributors.
| Team | Player | Status | Injury/Details |
| Houston Rockets | Alperen Sengun | GTD | Left soleus strain |
| Houston Rockets | Steven Adams | Questionable | Right ankle sprain |
| Houston Rockets | Clint Capela | Questionable | Illness |
| Houston Rockets | Tari Eason | Questionable | Illness |
| Houston Rockets | Fred VanVleet | Out | Torn ACL (season) |
| Brooklyn Nets | Michael Porter Jr. | Out | Personal reasons |
| Brooklyn Nets | Others (TBD) | Questionable/Out | Four total listed, details limited |
Key Player Matchups
This game features intriguing battles, particularly if injuries don’t sideline key bigs.
Kevin Durant (Rockets) vs. Nets Wing Defense: Durant, averaging 25.5 points on 52.2% shooting for Houston, returns to Brooklyn where he once starred.
With Porter Jr. out, the Nets may rely on rookies like Egor Demin or veterans to contain him, but Durant’s scoring versatility could exploit mismatches.
Alperen Sengun (Rockets) vs. Nic Claxton (Nets): If Sengun plays (22.7 PTS, 9.4 REB, 6.8 AST), his playmaking from the post will test Claxton’s rim protection (averaging 11.2 PTS, 9.8 REB, 2.1 BLK).
This matchup could dictate rebounding control, where Houston holds a +4.2 edge per game.
Cam Thomas (Nets) vs. Rockets Backcourt: Thomas (21.4 PTS) is Brooklyn’s top scorer and will face Houston’s perimeter defense, potentially without VanVleet.
Rookies like Nolan Traore for the Nets could see expanded roles.
Overall, Houston’s star power gives them the edge in most individual duels.
Series History
The Rockets hold a commanding all-time advantage over the Nets, with 67 wins to Brooklyn’s 40 in 107 regular-season meetings (62.6% win rate for Houston).
In recent years, the series has been more competitive, with the Nets winning 7 of the last 10 games outright.
However, Houston dominated the first matchup this season, 137-109, at home.
At Barclays Center, the Nets have won 4 of the last 8 encounters, including a narrow 99-97 victory in their most recent home game against the Rockets on February 4, 2025.
Betting Trends
Trends show the Rockets are 19-9 as favorites this season but just 3-7 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 games overall.
The Nets are 9-20 as underdogs but have covered the spread in 6 of their last 10 home games. The over has hit in 7 of the last 10 head-to-head meetings, reflecting high-scoring affairs.
Brooklyn’s defensive surge in December could push games under, but Houston’s offense (top-10 scoring) often inflates totals.
Game Odds
Houston Rockets – 11.5
Brooklyn Nets 218.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 31, 2025
