Houston Rockets vs Brooklyn Nets Prediction: Lowly Rockets counter iffy Nets

We have now hit a crucial window in the NBA story as the Postseason remains just a month away or so. This has been a great window where we have seen the rise and fall of a variety of squads so the picture is rather fuzzy with the Play-in and Playoffs spots at stake. In this NBA game, the Houston Rockets are going to take on the Brooklyn Nets.

The Rockets come into this contest after piercing through the Spurs 142:110 as Jalen Green erupted for 31 points to continue his amazing scoring season. This was their second straight win, both victories coming against the listless Spurs. Before the wins, Houston had a customary losing streak, conceding 11 games. The Rockets have 49 losses and just 15 wins, well on their way toward the lottery draft. Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr look like a solid backcourt and Alperen Sengun has been playing a condensed version of Nikola Jokic but overall, the Rockets have a long way to go. The development of Jabari Smith Jr. is crucial for the Franchise.

The Nets come into the affair after defeating the Hornets 102:86 behind a 33 points performance by Mikal Bridges. They have now won two in a row which followed a four-game losing streak. Since trading Kyrie and Durant, and bringing talents like Bridges, Johnson, Dinwiddie, etc., the Nets have compiled four wins and six losses. Thanks to some great play earlier, the Nets have put up 36 wins and 28 losses. Mikal has hit the 30+ points mark in four of the seven games and has been the oxygen for a so-so offensive set-up. The current roster has a lot of talent but they will take time to gel.

The Rockets are one of the worst squads in the league right now and even at home, their vulnerabilities are on full display. The Nets are seeking their identity after acquiring a bunch of role players and a budding star Mikal Bridges but they remain an interesting squad because of their Playoffs First Round ranking which means they are still in a shot to make it to the First Round. I predict a scoreline of 121:112 in favor of Brooklyn.