Wizards -Rockets    (lost)

 Houston Rockets have shown clear improvement in form recently. Following the All-Star break, the team put together a three-game winning streak and climbed back into the top three in the Western Conference. Although they suffered a surprising 105–115 road loss to the Miami Heat in their last outing, missing out on a fourth consecutive win, the defeat was largely due to poor shooting from supporting players rather than a systemic collapse. Houston shot just 9-of-36 from beyond the arc, which ultimately proved decisive. Despite the loss, Kevin Durant remained in outstanding offensive rhythm, especially from mid-range, where he has been nearly unstoppable.

In the paint, Alperen Şengün struggled in that matchup, finishing 6-of-14 with a team-worst -18 plus-minus. He had difficulty containing the interior presence of Bam Adebayo and Jaime Jaquez Jr., exposing some defensive vulnerabilities inside. Meanwhile, Amen Thompson continues to develop into a key engine for Houston, providing transition pace, defensive versatility, and athletic pressure. Against weaker defensive opponents, his impact remains highly effective.

The Rockets now continue their Eastern road trip against the Washington Wizards, a team fully committed to rebuilding. Despite acquiring Anthony Davis and Trae Young through recent trades, Washington’s primary objective this season remains securing a high draft position. Injury problems have severely weakened the roster — Davis, Young, and young center Alexandre Sarr are all unavailable, while Vukčević, Anthony Gill, and Kyshawn George are listed as questionable, leaving the team extremely short-handed.

The Wizards managed to stay competitive against the Raptors in their previous game thanks to bench contributions, but overall talent and rotation depth remain major concerns. In contrast, Houston holds clear advantages across the board with Durant, Şengün, and Thompson leading the lineup, providing superior offensive consistency and defensive intensity.

Considering roster health, competitive motivation, and overall matchup balance, Houston is expected to control the tempo and secure a comfortable road victory under head coach Ime Udoka.

 Pick: Rockets - 16.5