Pat Sullivan - AP

4 months ago: Memphis Grizzlies' Marc Gasol (35), from Spain, is surrounded by Houston Rockets' Chuck Hayes, center, Shane Battier (31) and Luis Scola, left, during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009 in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

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Definitely must-win.

David Zalubowski - AP

3 months ago: Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola, left, of Argentina, goes up for a shot as Denver Nuggets forward Chris Andersen covers in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Denver on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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This isn't quite "must win," but the Rockets are at a point where losing any more games is going to all but destroy their hopes for the postseason. So, yeah, it's kinda must-win.

Pat Sullivan - AP

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All the Rockets/Nets pictures sucked.

Pat Sullivan - AP

16 days ago: Houston Rockets' Kevin Martin (12) tries to maintain control of the ball under pressure from Toronto Raptors' Sonny Weems during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 1, 2010, in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

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They're starting games at 6:00 now? When did that start?

Ron Schwane - AP

2 months ago: Houston Rockets' Carl Landry, center, puts up a shot between Cleveland Cavallers' LeBron James, right, and Shaquille O'Neal during the second quarter in an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

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Also, thanks to Armin for a great preview!

Frank Gunn - AP

3 months ago: Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh, right, and Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola chase down a loose ball during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009. Bosh scored 27 points as the Raptors won 101-88. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,Frank Gunn)

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Trevor's a GTD, Lowry's still injured, Battier will presumably play. Maybe the defense will be un-putrid tonight. Calderon's out for Toronto.

Steve C Wilson - AP

4 months ago: Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer (5) has the ball knocked loose by Houston Rockets guard Kyle Lowry (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Steve C. Wilson)

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The Rockets meet up with their classic nemesis tonight - on their home court, no less. And all of the Rockets' starters (save Chuck) played more than 40 minutes last night, while the bench isn't in the best shape, either. Not the best conditions to take on Sloan's crew.

But Utah comes off a tough loss to Sacramento (in which Carl Landry contributed 15 points), and it's not like Boozer and Williams played that many fewer minutes than Martin, Brooks, and Scola.

Just like last night, the Rockets are 1-1 against their opponents, and it's going to take a similar effort to win. Utah lost Ronnie Brewer since then, and while that's a big loss (particularly when it's part of a straight salary dump), I doubt that it radically changes the Rockets' chances. Nothing has changed on the injury front: Ariza and Lowry are still out. Utah appears to be uninjured.

Final note: this game will be on NBATV, which means that those of you (like myself) with League Pass Broadband won't be able to see the game. Sucks, I know. But please don't ask for (or post links to) illegal streams here. SBN rules.

Eric Gay - AP

about 1 month ago: Houston Rockets' Kyle Lowry (7) moves the ball around San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker, right, of France, during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, in San Antonio. Houston won 116-109. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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The Rockets are once again up against a quality team - not exactly the prescription for success when you're sitting at .500. The Spurs were thought by most to be a contending team coming into the season, and while their record doesn't really show that, a few other indicators do. In any case, they're still a pretty deadly team.

The Rockets are 1-1 against San Antonio this season. The last time they met (January 22nd), the Rockets won by a decent margin, but that was partly the result of big games by Lowry and Landry. Yet again, the backcourt is going to have to really excel to pull this one out, and it would certainly help if the big guys could stop Timmy (also, please no more Hilton Armstrong. I said it when the trade happened - he sucks. A lot. Still, I imagine Chuck needs the rest, and Andersen hasn't really been tearing it up... I really miss Yao).

Trevor's still out, as is Lowry. Parker's out for the Spurs (listed as stomach illness - too many snails GET IT HE'S FRENCH AMIRITE).

John Raoux - AP

2 months ago: Houston Rockets guard Aaron Brooks (0) passes the ball as he is guarded by Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson (14) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009. Orlando won 102-87. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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Quick preview: the last time the Rockets met Orlando, they lost by 25. Somewhat ironically, that game was T-Mac's 2010 Season debut, while this will be Kevin Martin's starting debut.

Ariza and Lowry are out, which means that the Rockets already-iffy defense is even more suspect. They're facing a legit contender: top-10 offense, one of the best defenses in the game. The Rockets are going to need a pretty phenomenal shooting performance from Martin, Brooks, and Budinger to pull a win out of this, but it's certainly possible.

Rockets sticking with regular starting lineup tonight. Adelman says he expects to get Martin on the floor sometime in the 1st quarter.


- Jason Friedman's twitter