Three straight wins have turned the Houston Rockets into one of the early season’s fastest-moving teams. Three straight losses have left the Washington Wizards searching for a spark. On Sunday night, those paths meet in Washington, where Anthony Davis and Alperen Sengun could turn the paint—the area close to the basket—into the game’s main stage.

As of Friday, Nov. 13, Houston stands 10-3 and Washington is 4-9. The Rockets arrive after beating Utah, Golden State, and Denver, three different opponents that showed the same Houston strength: balance. The Rockets score 116.2 points per game, but they do not rely on one scorer to do every job. They share the ball for 26.8 assists per game, meaning teammates are often creating clean shots for one another.

Sengun is the center of that teamwork. He scores with spins, fakes, and soft close-range shots, yet he also sees cutters and open shooters like a guard. His 7.6 assists per game are a huge number for a big man and make him difficult to trap near the basket. Washington must decide whether to send extra defenders at Sengun or stay home on Kevin Durant, whose high-release jumper can soar over outstretched arms.

Amen Thompson gives Houston another powerful piece. The 6-foot-7 guard-forward grabs seven rebounds per game and races the ball up the floor. His energy can change a missed shot into a quick attack. Houston also shoots 37.2 percent from three-point range, far stronger than Washington’s 30.5 percent, so the Wizards cannot lose track of Rockets shooters when Thompson and Sengun create openings.

Still, Washington has its own giant answer in Davis. He is averaging 25.6 points and 10.5 rebounds, bringing force around the rim on both ends. When Davis controls missed shots, he can stop Houston from getting second chances and give Trae Young a chance to lead the break. Young’s 8.8 assists per game show how often he puts teammates in scoring spots. His pick-and-roll work, where he uses a teammate’s screen to find space, can challenge Sengun and pull Houston’s big defenders away from the hoop.

The Wizards also need Alex Sarr’s length beside Davis. Sarr’s 7.4 rebounds per game can help Washington match a Houston team that holds a small edge on the boards. At the other end, rookie forward AJ Dybantsa adds another exciting part to Washington’s growing story. His size, ball-handling, and leaping ability give Young another target as the Wizards build toward a brighter future.

Washington’s recent losses showed its biggest problem: stopping opponents consistently. The Wizards allow too many big scoring nights, while Houston owns a plus-8.8 average scoring margin, a sign that its victories have often come with room to breathe. The home team has the star power to make this tight, especially if Davis rules the glass and Young finds Dybantsa early. But Houston’s deeper attack, sharper outside shooting, and winning rhythm make the Rockets the likely winner.

Anthony Davis and Alperen Sengun Set the Tone in Washington