Coming off the heels of their biggest victory of the season last week, a 131-103 shelling of the New York Knicks, Jeremy Lin, James Harden, and the Houston Rockets (6-70) could keep that momentum going tonight when they host Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors (3-11) at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
But while coming off a great victory, the organization is also dealing with a painful loss, as coach Kevin McHale is absent dealing with the recent death of his daughter Alexandra, 23, who passed away this weekend.
"He's doing funeral arrangements for his daughter," acting coach Kevin Sampson said of McHale to NBA.com. "He's very emotional. Tough time. That's his baby girl. Nothing else has to be said."
The Rockets, who have lost four of their last 10 games, are on a two-game winning streak and could reach .500 for the first time since the start of the season, when they won the first two games, but lost the next two. A win tonight against the Raptors, who have lost four in a row, would extend their winning streak to three,
One-on-One: Can Jeremy Lin Contain a Red-Hot Kyle Lowry?
Lin played a key role in Houston's win over New York Friday, netting 13 points with seven rebounds and three assists, while Harden's 33 points and 31 from second-year standout Chandler Parsons--averaging 20.1 in his last seven games--powered Houston's offense.
But Lin faces a tough challenge tonight when he matches up against Toronto point guard--and former Houston Rocket--Kyle Lowry, who is averaging 18.3 points and 6.1 assists this season, and is netting 20.0 points in the last three games.
Lowry was traded to Toronto for a draft pick in July, replaced shortly afterwards by Lin, who was heavily coveted by the Rockets.
"I understand it's a business," Lowry said. "I never take anything personal involving trades. This league, you can't get too caught up in what happens when you get traded."
More known for his offense than his defense, Lin has the tough task of keeping Lowry in check during a very impressive offensive stretch that his predecessor is enjoying.
"He can do it all," Lin said of his opponent tonight. "He's a really good point guard, and I think he's underrated in a lot of ways, so I'll have my hands full."
And on a side note, tonight's Rockets-Raptors matchup will mark the first time that ex-Knicks Lin and Landry Fields will meet one-on-one. As many hoops fans remember, Fields, a close friend of Lin, let Lin sleep on his couch in his New York apartment when Lin became an overnight star during his sensational play in February last season.
Game time starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are still available in Houston.