Washington Wizards at Houston Rockets on Friday, January 15 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Rockets about a 91% chance, and the Wizards would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Rockets 91%, with a projected score of Washington Wizards 106, Houston Rockets 120. The rating gap is 301 points in favor of the Rockets, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Rockets on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 11 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Wizards are 1-1 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -9. The Rockets are 2-0 this season and 4-1 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +5.4.
The Wizards were beaten 140-117 at home by MIA not long ago.
The Rockets' best recent win was 115-96 at home against LAL.
The Rockets were beaten 98-78 at home by LAL not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Tristan Vukcevic (WAS), expected back Nov 2, 2026, Jamir Watkins (WAS), expected back Apr 2, 2027, AJ Dybantsa (WAS), expected back Oct 26, 2026, Fred VanVleet (HOU), expected back Oct 26, 2026, and Steven Adams (HOU), expected back Oct 26, 2026.
Day to day or questionable: Reed Sheppard (HOU) and Marcus Smart (HOU). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Rockets lead 4-0, with the Rockets outscoring the Wizards by an average of 16.5 points per game. The last meeting was HOU 123, WAS 118.