Sixers vs. Rockets 7:30 p.m., CSN
Wells Fargo Center
Last meeting
The Rockets scored at least 33 points in three of four quarters, shot 56 percent from the field and cruised to a 125-103 victory over the Sixers on Dec. 19 at the Toyota Center.
James Harden led all scorers with 33 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the floor and a 17-for-18 performance at the foul line. Jeremy Lin added 18 points and six assists and Omer Asik picked up a double-double with 17 points and 15 boards.
For the Sixers, a sprained left foot sidelined Jrue Holiday for the contest. Nick Young led the way with 21 points off the bench, and Dorell Wright dropped 20. Overall, the Sixers bench outscored Houstons 65-34.
Records
Sixers: 15-22 (fourth place in Atlantic Division)
Rockets: 21-16 (third place in Southwest Division)
Previous games
The Sixers return home for the first of four straight games in South Philadelphia following Wednesdays 90-72 loss in Toronto. In that contest, they shot just 39.2 percent (including 20 percent on 2-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc). After trailing by two at the half, the Raptors outscored the Sixers by eight in both the third and fourth frames.
Overall, the Sixers losing streak sits at five games, and theyve lost 13 of their last 16 only four of which, however, came at home.
The Rockets have dropped two consecutive road tilts, including a 103-91 defeat at Boston on Friday night. They have, however, won 10 of their previous 14.
Who's hot
Jrue Holiday didnt have his best game Wednesday night, hitting on just 7 of 18 shots for 16 points while adding four assists, three rebounds and three turnovers. But for the month, the All-Star hopeful has averaged 17.2 points, 8.2 assists and 4.5 boards in six games.
Who's not
Evan Turners shooting over his last five contests has been atrocious 20 for 62 (32.3 percent), including 2 for 12 (16.7 percent) from distance. Hes also turned the ball over (18 times) almost as often as hes dished out assists (21).
Jason Richardson, who missed Wednesdays game, has averaged just 7.8 points this month and has made just four three-pointers in 18 attempts (22.2 percent) across five contests.
Probable starters
Sixers
Jrue Holiday (18.3 ppg, 8.8 apg )
Jason Richardson (10.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg)
Lavoy Allen (6.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg)
Thad Young (14.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg)
Evan Turner (13.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg)
Rockets
Chandler Parsons (14.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
Marcus Morris (9.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg)
Omer Asik (10.2 ppg, 11.1 rpg)
James Harden (26.4 ppg, 5.3 apg)
Jeremy Lin (12.2 ppg, 6.3 apg)
Injuries
Andrew Bynum (bone bruise) is out indefinitely.
For the Rockets, Royce White (suspension) is out.
E-mail Mike Wisniewski at mwisniewski@comcastnets.com
