Wednesday’s lineups, injury reports, broadcast and stream info
The top 2022 NBA rookies will face off in a matchup of teams headed in opposite directions. The Orlando Magic’s No.1 draft pick Paolo Banchero takes his Orlando Magic into Toyota Center Wednesday to take on No. Jabari Smith Jr., the struggling Houston Rockets is 3rd pick.
The Magic (11-21) won six of their seven previous games. Their lone loss was in Atlanta on Monday. The Rockets (9-21), on the other hand, have lost three straight home games at Toyota Center, including back to back blowout losses in San Antonio and Portland.
No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren out for the season in Oklahoma City due to injury, Banchero and Smith are the NBA’s top active rookies by draft status. However, Banchero has been more physically fit than many anticipated in his first season, just as many predicted before the draft.
Banchero is scoring 21.8 points per game (44.8% on FG, 31.3% for 3-pointers), and 6.6 rebounds. Smith is scoring 11.9 points (37.6% on FG and 34.1% on 3-pointers), and 7.1 rebounds in just 30.3 minutes.
How and when to watch
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Date: Wednesday, Dec. 21
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Time: 7 p.m. Central
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TV Channel AT&T SportsNet Southwest, NBA League Pass
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Live Stream fuboTV (watch for free In Houston markets
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (9-21).
Orlando Magic (11-21)
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Guard: Markelle Fultz
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Guard: Franz Wagner
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Bol Bol
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Forward: Paolo Banchero
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Center: Moritz Wagner
Projected lineups are based on each team’s previous game.
Reports on injuries
Houston’s injury report lists Jae’Sean Tate (right ankle soreness) and Garrison Mathews (non-COVID illness) as out.
Jalen Suggs (right foot soreness), Wendell Carter Jr.(right plantar facia strain), Gary Harris (1-1/2 hamstring strain), Jonathan Isaac (2-1/2 thigh injury recovery), Chuma Okeke (3-1/2 thigh surgery).
Franz Wagner is questionable after suffering a right-side ankle sprain.
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