Game thread: Rockets vs. 76ers

Houston Rockets (3-1) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (1-3), Oct. 25, 2017, 6 p.m. CDT

Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

TV: AT&T SportsNet Southwest

Radio: KBME 790 AM/KEYH 850 AM (Spanish)/KNTE 101.7 FM (Spanish)/Streaming on Rockets App

Online: NBA League Pass, Rockets App

76ers SBNation Blog: Liberty Ballers

The Rockets head out east for their first game of a three-game east coast road trip as they face Joel Embiid and the 76ers.

Houston comes into the game tonight after their worst offensive performance in the D’Antoni era, managing only 90 points in their first loss on Monday to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Houston looks to bounce back tonight but it will be difficult as the Rockets are banged up. Tonight, Chris Paul, Nene, and Trevor Ariza will not suit up due to injuries.

Luc Mbah a Moute, former Sixer, will start in Ariza’s place. Mbah a Moute will be key in this game as he will look to stop promising Sixers rookie Ben Simmons, who achieved his first triple-double in the team’s first win at Detroit on Monday.

Mbah a Moute was actually critical in the development of Sixers center and fellow Cameroonian Joel Embiid. Clint Capela will be tasked with trying to contain the Process in the paint.

It would have been nice to have Nene in as a backup for Capela, but with his Achilles injury, look for Tarik Black to see a spike in minutes as well.

Chris Paul is also out, and will be for a while. As will Sixers’ top pick Markelle Fultz. He has a shoulder injury that his representatives can’t really explain perfectly, so that’s promising. Wishing strong and speedy recoveries to those who cannot play tonight.

For Houston, this game would put them back on the right foot. Losing the way they did on Monday sucked, and this is their chance for them to bounce back.