A bit maddening lately for the Rockets, who have lost three straight away, but playing for just the second time in a week, the batteries should be charged for tonight at Smoothie King. Nothing wrong with the effort on Monday at Denver, however, when Houston was unfortunate not to have won regulation time. Getting Alperen Sengun back on the floor after missing a recent loss at Dallas has been a plus, and the Rockets' big lineup has been able to extend many margin this season vs. lesser opposition. That category fits the Pels, despite two wins on the spin, even with and Zion Williamson (knock on wood) back in action. Note NO has ten losses by DD margins already this campaign. Play Rockets

Zion was limited to 27 minutes in his return from (another) injury on Sunday in Chicago and came off the bench but still scored 18. I'd expect him to start tonight and get at least 30 minutes. Our model has him at 22.1 points. I know Kevin Durant is one of Williamson's idols, so he should be duly motivated against KD. I never say I love a prop because it can be not relevant at all to the game result and obviously injuries, foul trouble can happen. But this does seem low to me.