Nuggets vs. Rockets Preview: Jalen Green Returns, Kevin Porter Jr. Questionable

As the Houston Rockets attempt to end their nine-game losing streak, Jalen Green will return to the lineup Tuesday night in a western conference match against the Nuggets.

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets (13-46) will play the first half of a two-game homestand Tuesday night against the Denver Nuggets (43-19) inside the Toyota Center.

Jalen Green will return to the lineup following a two-game absence due to a groin injury.

Green will give the Rockets an additional boost on the offensive end when going head-to-head against the seventh-highest scoring team in the league. The Nuggets are currently averaging 117.0 points.

Before his injury, Green was averaging 23.8 points on 39.4 percent shooting. He sustained a groin injury on Feb. 15 in the Rockets' loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Green left the game late in the second quarter after he scored 11 points in the period. He finished with 14.

Green's return comes as the Rockets try to avoid their second double-digit losing streak of the season. Houston dropped their ninth consecutive game Sunday night in a 131-114 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Damian Lillard scored a career-high 71 points, which marked the eighth-highest scoring performance in league history.

Rockets vs. Nuggets Broadcast Information:

• Date: Tuesday, Feb. 28
• Time: 7:00 p.m.
• TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet
• Radio: 790 AM
• Live Stream: League Pass

Rockets Injury Report:

• Kevin Porter Jr. (left foot contusion) QUESTIONABLE
• Jae'Sean Tate (right ankle maintenance) OUT

Nuggets Injury Report:

• Collin Gillespie (right leg fracture) OUT
• Zeke Nnaji (right shoulder sprain) OUT
• Aaron Gordon (left rib contusion) PROBABLE
• Jamal Murray (lower back pain) QUESTIONABLE

Kevin Porter Jr. could make his return from injury:

For the first time since Jan. 11, the Rockets could take the court with Kevin Porter Jr. in the lineup. After missing 19 consecutive games due to a left toe contusion, Houston listed Porter as questionable on their latest injury report.

In the eight games before his injury, Porter had averaged 22.8 points on 49.2 percent shooting, 42.3 percent from deep, 6.4 assists and 5.9 rebounds. He was playing arguably the best basketball of his career, and Houston's offense has looked disjointed on several occasions since his absence.

Slowing down two-time league MVP winner Nikola Jokic:

Nikola Jokic is on the verge of winning his third consecutive MVP award, and the Rockets will have to find a way to contain the Nuggets' star.

In their previous game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, Jokic recorded a game-high 40 points (14-21 FG, 12-15 FT), 17 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals for his 23rd double-double of the season.

In the two games played against the Rockets, Jokic is currently averaging 24.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 10.0 assists. The Nuggets hold a 2-0 regular season lead against Houston.

Will the Rockets get better production from Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr.?:

The frontcourt pairing of Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. has been underwhelming since the Rockets returned from the All-Star break. 

Sengun has been benched the previous two games due to his horrendous play on the defensive end, while Smith has averaged 11.0 points on 25.9 percent shooting, 10.0 percent from behind the arc. Houston will need improved production from Sengun and Smith on both ends to avoid another regular season sweep by their opponent.

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You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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