The Philadelphia 76ers once dominated the Houston Rockets with a historic run of winning eight out of nine games, their sole defeat coming in double overtime. However, last season saw a shift as the Rockets swept the series with two overtime victories. Currently, Houston (26-15) is on a three-game winning streak against Philadelphia (23-19) and aims to extend it to four when they face off at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. The Rockets, with a solid 4-1 home record after a 111-106 win over the Spurs, have struggled on the road, losing four consecutive away games.
Alperen Sengun has been a standout player for Houston in 2024-25, posting 22 points and 14 rebounds in a road win against Philadelphia, and following up with another double-double in a home victory. The 23-year-old Turkish center averages 21.5 points this season and recently notched his 20th double-double, ranking sixth in the NBA. In contrast, the 76ers, suffering from Joel Embiid’s ankle injury, slipped to 1-3 on their six-game homestand with a loss to the Suns. Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP, is expected to return against the Rockets.
Thursday’s NBA lineup features seven more games, including a matchup between the Miami Heat and the Portland Trail Blazers at 10 p.m. ET, with Portland holding the recent edge. In the NHL, eight games are scheduled, highlighted by a clash between the division-leading Vegas Golden Knights and Boston Bruins at 7 p.m. ET. Both teams recently lost their winning streaks, with Vegas falling to the Flyers and Boston to the Stars.
In college basketball, a Big Ten game between the University of Wisconsin and Penn State will take place at 7 p.m. ET in University Park, Pennsylvania. Wisconsin has won their last four games, while Penn State has lost five straight. Betting odds favor the Rockets, Trail Blazers, Golden Knights, and Wisconsin.
For viewing, the Rockets vs. 76ers game will be on NBA League Pass and streaming via Fubo’s free trial, with SportsLine favoring the Rockets and predicting a strong scoring night from Embiid. The Trail Blazers vs. Heat game is also on NBA League Pass and Fubo. The Bruins vs. Golden Knights NHL game airs on ESPN+ and Fubo, with experts backing Boston to cover the spread. Wisconsin vs. Penn State college basketball is broadcast on FS1 and streaming on Fubo.
Fan Take: This update demonstrates the dynamic shifts in team performances that keep hockey, basketball, and college sports intriguing for fans. For hockey followers, the end of winning streaks for the Golden Knights and Bruins signals a more competitive and unpredictable Pacific Division, exciting for the sport’s growth and fan engagement.
