CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — The Houston Rockets will seek to avenge a recent loss and solidify their playoff positioning when they visit the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night at Spectrum Center. Houston (33-20) enters the contest having dropped two of its last three, including a 102-105 home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. The Rockets also fell to Charlotte 109-99 at home just 14 days ago on Feb. 5. Kevin Durant, the veteran forward and focal point of the Houston offense, scored 31 points in that defeat. He is averaging 24.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists over his last 10 games, including a 21-point, 8-rebound, 6-assist performance against the Clippers. The Hornets (26-29) have been one of the league’s hotter teams, winning eight of their last 10 to climb back into the Eastern Conference play-in conversation. They are coming off a 110-107 home victory over Atlanta on Wednesday, fueled by a career-high 31 points from second-year forward Brandon Miller. Miller, a leading candidate for the Most Improved Player award, is averaging 22.4 points and 6.1 rebounds over the same 10-game stretch and was instrumental in the earlier win over Houston with 11 points. The matchup features a contrast in styles. The Rockets, favored by 2 points according to FanDuel Sportsbook, rely on Durant’s scoring and the interior play of Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr., who combined for 32 points and 21 rebounds in the last meeting. Charlotte counters with a dynamic backcourt of LaMelo Ball and rookie Kon Knueppel, alongside Miller’s versatile scoring. The over/under is set at 215. Houston holds the superior record, but Charlotte’s recent form and home-court advantage set the stage for a compelling interconference clash. The Hornets will look to prove their recent surge is sustainable, while the Rockets aim to demonstrate their contender status by securing a critical road victory.