Before we start with the preview, I want to thank Holly and Xiane for stepping in and handling the game previews while I was celebrating my brother’s marriage. As always, I’m worried that you guys liked them way more than me and will try to get rid of me. For now, you’re still stuck with me, but you should definitely continue enjoying their writing. They’re both great and deserve your attention.
The Houston Rockets finally won the second game of a back-to-back last week against a shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves team. Those had been an issue for Houston because back-to-backs mean no Steven Adams. Now, Houston will be without Adams for an indefinite amount of time and have to navigate all games without their big Kiwi.
Their next test takes them to Philadelphia, where the 76ers have absolutely surprised a lot of people with their start to the season. We all knew Joel Embiid and Paul George would miss some games, and both have missed 19 contests so far. Still, Philly has thrived thanks to an MVP-level campaign from Tyrese Maxey, solid play from Quentin Grimes, and potential Rookie of the Year frontrunner V.J. Edgecomb. Those three have been the backbone of the squad with veterans like Kelly Oubre Jr. and Andre Drummond, the Sixers look to be in much better shape moving forward than they have at times in previous years.
And that doesn’t count Jared McCain, who was looking like the no-doubt Rookie of the Year last season before injuries ended his season early and then another one took him down right before this season started. He’s struggled so far this season and is with the G-League. If he figures things out, he adds another layer to Philly’s strategy and makes them even more difficult to defend.
Tip-off
6pm CT on January 22, 2026
How To Watch
Space City Home Network
Injury Report
Rockets
Steven Adams: OUT
Sixers
Joel Embiid: GTD
Paul George: GTD
The Line (as of this post)
N/A
Check here for updates
Looking ahead because we can
Friday night on the road against the Detroit Pistons
