Rockets Look to Close Decade on High Note, Host Nuggets in Big West Showdown
Questionable Concerns. Fine Line. Shuffling for Seeding.
Start ringing in the new decade in style. Come out and support the Rockets as they return home to host the Denver Nuggets for their annual New Year’s Eve game on Tuesday night. Houston is coming off a tough loss in New Orleans. The shorthanded Rockets played so well through three quarters, but ran out of gas in the fourth. Houston might be shorthanded again tonight. Russell Westbrook’s back for sure. James Harden and Clint Capela are questionable, and look to be game-time decisions. But should they even play, if they’re not fully healthy. Only the players know, and hopefully Harden and Capela can both give it a go. If they can’t, the Rockets are in for a rough end to the decade.
Denver is one of the hottest teams in the NBA, going 9-1 over their last ten games. The Nuggets currently have the second seed, and are two games ahead of Houston in the loss column. This is as must-win a game can get before the calendar year turns. A win puts the Rockets within a game of Denver, a loss pushes Houston three games back. The Nuggets won the first meeting this season earlier in Denver. A win tonight would tie the season-series, otherwise Denver is in the driver’s seat for the tiebreaker if the squads finish with even records. Nikola Jokic gets the most attention, but this is a deep Nuggets team with a plethora of capable bodies on both ends. Michael Porter Jr. has seen a surge in his play and minutes of late, scoring 19 in Denver’s last game. Jamal Murray and Will Barton are lethal perimeter threats who can get red-hot if they find a groove.
Houston’s in a tough position. Healthy or not, beating the Nuggets isn’t easy. Despite the ugly loss earlier this season, the Rockets have generally owned Denver during the Harden Era. If the Beard and Clint Capela play, Houston should beat this Nuggets team at home. However, minus Harden and/or the Big Swiss, it’s going to be very difficult. Capela has matched up well against Jokic, and contained Denver’s All-Star, in recent matchups. The Rockets are currently walking a fine line. Harden and Capela certainly feel pressure to play.. this game is huge. A loss ends the decade with a damper, a win allows the squad to ring in the New Year on a positive note. Not to mention, Houston is tied in the loss column with the Clippers and Mavericks for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th spots. A win over the Nuggets would knock Denver back to within a game of the pack. A loss puts the Rockets a game behind Dallas and the Clippers. However, the last thing Houston wants is a long-term injury to Harden or Capela. It’s not the end of the world if the Rockets lose tonight… just the end of the decade. But a win would sure end it style.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Denver Nuggets (23-9): White
Houston Rockets (22-11): Black
TV: 6 PM CT – NBA TV, AT&T Sportsnet SW