GAME PREVIEW
Top storylines as Rockets look to rebound in battle with Pacers
Nov 19, 2024, 4:27 pm
The Rockets host the Pacers on Wednesday night. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.
The Houston Rockets aim to extend their impressive five-game home winning streak as they host the Indiana Pacers. The Rockets have thrived at Toyota Center, holding a 6-2 home record and sitting fourth in the Western Conference standings.
The Rockets' dominance in the paint has been a cornerstone of their success, ranking third in the Western Conference with 53.3 points per game in the paint. Alperen Şengün continues to lead the way inside, averaging 17.5 points and 11.6 points in the paint.
On the other hand, the Pacers have struggled on the road, posting a 2-6 record away from Indiana. Defense remains a challenge, with the Pacers surrendering 117.6 points per game and being outscored by 3.2 points on average this season. Tyrese Haliburton leads Indiana, contributing 16.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.
Both teams rely heavily on their three-point shooting. Houston averages 11.7 made threes per game, while Indiana allows 13.1. Meanwhile, the Pacers are hitting 12.6 threes per game, slightly outpacing the Rockets’ perimeter defense.
Recent Form
- Rockets: Houston is 7-3 in its last 10 games, averaging 115.1 points per game while holding opponents to 105.6 points on 46.0% shooting.
- Pacers: Indiana has gone 5-5 in its last 10, scoring 115.9 points but allowing 117.7 points per game on 48.7% opponent shooting.
Injury Report
- Rockets: Cam Whitmore (day-to-day, knee).
- Pacers: Myles Turner (day-to-day, calf), Aaron Nesmith (out, ankle), Andrew Nembhard (out, knee), Isaiah Jackson (out, calf), James Wiseman (out, calf), Ben Sheppard (day-to-day, oblique).
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Christian Walker homered in a three-run second, Ryan Gusto pitched well into the sixth and the Houston Astros beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1 on Wednesday night to sweep the three-game series.
CHRISTIAN SKYWALKER. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/EZxbda3HT3
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 24, 2025
Walker led off the second with a home run to left off Bowden Francis (2-3), Yainer Diaz tripled and scored on Zach Dezenzo's RBI single and Yordan Alvarez capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly.
Gusto (3-1) allowed one run on three hits with six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Gusto has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his three starts this season.
Bryan King pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and Bryan Abreu threw a scoreless eighth.
George Springer walked, and Ernie Clement doubled with one out in the ninth, but Josh Hader struck out Alejandro Kirk and induced a flyout by Myles Straw for his seventh save.
Houston has won five of its last six.
Springer hit an RBI double in the fourth for the Blue Jays. They have lost five straight games.
Francis surrendered three runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. He has allowed three runs or fewer in four of his five starts.
Key moment
Hader striking out Kirk and getting Straw to flyout to center to end it.
Key stat
The Astros swept the Blue Jays for the first time since they swept a four-game series in Houston on May 14-17, 2015.
Final Thoughts
Julia Morales caught up with Walker after the game.
#Astros beat the Blue Jays 3-1
Christian Walker 2-4, HR & spoke with @JuliaMorales after the @astros WIN#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/MyRYdVwidH
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) April 24, 2025
Up next
Houston starts a three-game series Friday at Kansas City, with RHP Hayden Wesneski (1-1, 3.91 ERA) starting the opener. Toronto RHP José Berríos (1-1, 5.02) starts Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at the Yankees.
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