Houston Rockets Aim for a Historic Fifth Consecutive Road Victory Against the Charlotte Hornets!
Get ready for an exciting basketball showdown on Thursday, February 18, 2026, as the Houston Rockets (33-20, 4th in the Western Conference) travel to Charlotte to face the Charlotte Hornets (26-29, 9th in the Eastern Conference). This game, scheduled for 7 p.m. EST in Charlotte, North Carolina, has the Rockets favored by 2.5 points, with an over/under set at 216.5 points.
The Rockets are on a remarkable four-game road winning streak, and they're looking to push that to an impressive fifth straight win away from home. This streak highlights their growing confidence and ability to perform under pressure on the road.
But here's where it gets interesting: The Hornets have a solid 12-14 record in home games, showing they can be a tough out in their own arena. However, Charlotte averages 15.0 turnovers per game, and they struggle when they lose the turnover battle, holding a 6-8 record in those instances. On the flip side, the Rockets are 15-13 on the road and are masters of protecting the ball, averaging just 14.3 turnovers per game. Their record when committing fewer turnovers than their opponents? A stellar 13-5.
And this is the part most people miss: The Hornets are prolific from beyond the arc, averaging a league-leading 15.4 made 3-pointers per game. That's a significant 3.1 more threes per game than the Rockets typically allow. However, Houston's overall field goal percentage is 47.1%, just slightly lower than the 47.2% that Hornets' opponents have shot this season. This suggests that while the Hornets can light it up from deep, Houston's defense might be able to hold its own in other areas.
This marks the second encounter between these two teams this season. The Hornets took the first game on February 6th, with a 109-99 victory. Kon Knueppel was instrumental in that win, dropping 24 points for Charlotte.
Key Players to Watch:
* For the Hornets, Kon Knueppel is averaging 18.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. In his last 10 games, Brandon Miller has been on fire, averaging an impressive 22.4 points.
* Leading the Rockets is Alperen Sengun, who is putting up 20.7 points per game and 9.4 rebounds. Jabari Smith Jr. has been a consistent threat from deep, averaging 2.3 made 3-pointers over his last 10 games.
Recent Performance (Last 10 Games):
* Hornets: A phenomenal 9-1 record, averaging 114.6 points, 48.1 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 6.6 steals, and 4.2 blocks, while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.2 points.
* Rockets: A strong 6-4 record, averaging 104.8 points, 47.9 rebounds, 23.8 assists, 9.5 steals, and 6.6 blocks, shooting 43.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.6 points.
Injury Report:
* Hornets: Coby White is out with a calf injury, and Liam McNeeley is day-to-day with an ankle issue.
* Rockets: Fred VanVleet is out for the season with an ACL injury, Dorian Finney-Smith is day-to-day with rest, and Steven Adams is out for the season with an ankle injury.
Here's a thought-provoking question for you: With the Hornets' potent 3-point shooting and the Rockets' strong road momentum, which team do you believe has the edge? Will Houston continue their streak, or will Charlotte defend their home court? Let us know your predictions in the comments below!
