The Houston Rockets have started the season off 3-0, and they'll be looking to extend their streak against the Atlanta Hawks to start the week. They just defeated the Hawks a few days ago, as they had control for most of the game with a small slip-up toward the end. Luckily, the Rockets were able to execute well enough to walk away with the win.
The Rockets were without two of their guards in that game, which included Marcus Smart and Fred VanVleet. For Smart specifically, he was dealing with a forearm injury, and he's listed on the injury report ahead of their rematch against the Rockets.
Smart is questionable for the matchup, so it'll be interesting to see if he suits up this time around.
It would be good for the Rockets to have him on the court, as he brings more defensive intensity and can also knock down shots from the perimeter. He's shown throughout his career that he can change a game with his defense, and it makes sense why the Rockets were interested in him during the offseason.
Not only is having Smart good for the Rockets, but also having VanVleet back in the rotation makes them a hard team to beat. Kevin Durant shared those sentiments after their win against the Dallas Mavericks.
Article Continues Below“Last year we started in our backcourt, Twin (Amen Thompson) and Josh Okogie. And a lot of the time those guys are being left at the 3-point line. And their men are helping guard guys in the paint. So when we've got Fred and Marcus Smart out there who can keep the defense honest at the 3-point line and then Twin just roaming around just doing everything. Grabbing offensive rebounds, making assists, dunks, floaters, everything,” Durant said.
Hopefully, the Rockets can have both of them available at home against the Hawks.