Month: April 2021

Rockets Prep for Wolves After Rare Two-Day Break

The Last Chance.    Broken Wall.    Best of the Eleven.

Houston hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night at Toyota Center. Besides the Rockets, the Wolves have the worst-record in the league. So, tonight’s game is very winnable for Houston, granted they’re inspired enough to give the needed effort required for a win. Tonight could be the Rockets last chance at getting a win this season, or the squad could be stuck on 15 wins when the season’s over. After tonight, Houston ends the season on a brutal 10-game stretch against playoff teams, including several elite contenders. If the Rockets can’t beat Minnesota on Tuesday night, expect the tank show to be in full effect after tonight.

It was announced on Monday that John Wall would miss the rest of the season. The Rockets are making the smart move and finally shutting down their injury-riddled All-Star point guard. In the action he saw this year as a Rocket, Wall was better than expected. Injuries were the former All-Star’s only downfall.

The best of the eleven games begins tonight in Houston. It might not be the best game, but it’s certainly the best chance the Rockets have at tasting victory for the rest fo this season… Tune in to see if Houston causes the Wolves to draw blood.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Minnesota Timberwolves (18-44):  “City Edition” Black

Houston Rockets (15-46):  Red

 

TV:  8 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Shorthanded-Rockets Run Out of Gas in Denver, Lose to Nuggets, 129-116

The Shorthanded Bowl.    Proud Seven.    Surprise of the Lamb.

Despite having the league’s bare minimum of seven eligible players required for a team to play, the Rockets almost pulled off a stunning comeback, but the squad never recovered from an early hole, and lost to the Nuggets 129-116, in Denver on Saturday night. Sure the Nuggets were shorthanded as well, playing without Jamal Murray and Will Barton. But Houston barely fielded a squad to hit the court. And they hit it hard.

All seven Rockets who saw court time played their hearts out. Newest Rocket Armoni Brooks led the team in minutes, seeing 43 minutes of action, while recording a balanced 12 point, 7 rebound, and 5 assist stat line. D.J. Wilson was tremendous, showing signs of his future potential as a possible star in this league. Wilson led Houston with 25 points on an efficient 10-for-17 shooting. Kelly Olynyk continues to be spectacular in every game he plays in a Rocket uniform. Olynyk finished with 21 points including an impressive 11-for-11 showing from the charity stripe), 11 dimes, and 8 boards. But the biggest surprise on Saturday night came elsewhere, from a player who NBA.com has yet to place a picture of his face next to his name: Anthony Lamb.

Lamb had the game of his life, and surprised many doubters with his sharpshooting. Lamb scored a career-high 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including draining 4 of his 9 attempts from distance. K.J. Martin added 18 points, and Jae’Sean Tate supplied 14, as Houston continues to build chemistry with all these new faces in Houston. Up next, the Rockets host Minnesota on Tuesday night. A game Houston could possibly win… if they don’t let the Wolves dig the Rockets an early hole.

Rockets Limp into Denver, Face Mountainous Task in Tilt with Nuggets

Dirtiest Dozen.    Who’s In or Who’s Out?    Mission Impossible.

Houston travels to the Mile High City on Saturday nigh for a task higher than a mile, with a matchup with the Denver Nuggets in store. It’s the second of a back-to-back for the Rockets, which means, since he played last night, no John Wall tonight for Houston. And he’s by far not the only Rockets player who’ll be sidelined on Saturday night. Houston will also be without Christian Wood, Kevin Porter Jr., Danuel House… actually, with all the injuries, might as well just announce who’s playing rather than who will be on the sidelines.

Available tonight for the Rockets are: Jae’Sean Tate, Kelly Olynyk, Armoni Brooks, K.J. Martin, D.J. Wilson, and introducing… DaQuan Jeffries. Denver did suffer a setback in their latest outing, losing Will Barton to an injury, but it’s nothing compared to the battery Houston’s absorbed this season. Without Wood, Olynyk will need as much help as possible on MVP-candidate Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets superstar center who’s having the best season of his career.

So, it’s pretty much Mission Impossible tonight for the Rockets. It’s the first game of a brutal dozen matches to finish the season for Houston, eleven of which are against legitmate playoff contenders. as for tonight, one can only pray the Rockets play their hearts out, and hope the guys suiting up are on fire shooting the basketball. Otherwise, Houston is entering a mountain they can’t possibly climb. But, if there’s any season the Rockets could win a game like this, it might be this one. Nuggets Coach Mike Malone even admitted his team has a tendency to overlook hampered teams and play down to their competition at times. Houston has to take advantage if Denver comes out sleepwalking tonight. It’s been a weird NBA season, for obvious reasons. Regardless, the Rockets have to prep for the league’s version of Mount Everest tonight… get ready for the climb.

 

Ball Arena:  Denver, Colorado

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (15-45):  White

Denver Nuggets (38-21):  Blue

 

TV:  9 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Collapse as Clippers Rally for Victory in Houston, 109-104

Missed Opportunity.    Silver Linings.    Tough Finish.

For a second, it actually seemed like the Rockets were going to hold-off the Clippers in Houston. The squad led L.A. by four points heading into the final period, 80-76, after holding the Clips to only 11 points in the third quarter. However, Reggie Jackson hit three early threes to start the fourth period to fuel the Clippers rally, as the Rockets lost to the Clippers, 109-104, on Friday night at Toyota Center. Houston played their hearts out, they just couldn’t hang on and execute late in the game when it mattered most. Paul George led a Kawhi Leonard-less Clippers with 33 points, 14 boards, and 4 dimes. John Wall had another fantastic game, scoring 27 points while dishing out 13 assists, and almost leading the Rockets to an impressive victory.

Despite the loss, Christian Wood and Kelly Olynyk continue to impress as a dynamic duo in the interior for Houston. The duo combined for 47 points and 19 boards as the pair’s chemistry improves with each passing game. Wood scored 24 points and pulled down a monstrous 19 boards, while Olynyk tallied 23 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and also snagged 4 steals for good measure. Hopefully the Rockets keep Olynyk in the off-season. His chemistry with Wood gives the Rockets an inside presence they never had in the James Harden-era. Armoni Brooks also saw heavy action, seeing 30 minutes of playing time. Brooks continue to impress with his shot from outside. The newest Rocket scored 9 point on 3-of-8 shooting from long range.  With the development of Kevin Porter Jr. Jae’Sean Tate, Armoni Brooks, and other playmakers, Houston has a bright future ahead of this season.

Friday night’s meltdown against the Clips was tough. But it only gets tougher for the Rockets. Eleven of Houston’s twelve remaining games are against playoff teams. And most of them elite squads. The Rockets have by far the toughest finish this season in the entire league. And on Saturday night, Houston travels to Denver to face a tough Nuggets team in the altitude, without John Wall. It’s not going to be easy, but if the Rockets just focus on each possession at a time, they might, for a second… have a chance at a huge upset.

Rockets Welcome Clippers as the Tough Times Continue

CE-Out.    The Spoiling Game.    Wall-In.

Houston plays their first game after being officially eliminated from playoff contention tonight. The Rockets has the playoff-bound Los Angeles Clippers, as Houston hopes to play the spoiler role for the remainder of this season.

The big news of the day in Houston was the resignation of CEO Tad Brown, who is deciding to move on from the Rockets. In a matter of three years. The Rockets lost their previous starting five, head coach, general manager, and CEO. If you didn’t know who’s team it was, you know by now: Tilman Fertitta. Houston’s owner continues to burn the team into the ground as he salivates over his profits from Landry’s and his other business ventures. If only he cared more about the team he ludicrously purchased. But, that’s asking a lot from a man who titled his first book, “Shut Up and Listen.”

John Wall will play tonight, as Friday night’s bout with the Clippers is the first in a back-to-back for the Rockets. Houston travels to the Mile High City to take on the Denver Nuggets tomorrow night. Another tough playoff-bound team. Only 13 matchups remain in the season for the Rockets… let the spoiling games begin.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Los Angeles Clippers (42-19):  White

Houston Rockets (15-44):  “Earned Edition” Black

 

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&t Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Silenced by Jazz, 112-89

Tune of a Beatdown.    Payback.    Fat Lady Sings.

Houston got thrashed in a game that was never close by the team with the NBA’s best-record, the Utah Jazz. The Jazz obliterated the Rockets 112-89, and controlled the game from start to finish.

Utah got some payback for recent playoff exits Houston dealt them in the past, but this payback only helps the Rockets’ lottery chances.

After the loss to the Jazz, Houston has now been officially eliminated from playoff contention. In other words, the fat lady’s sung her swan song on this season for the Rockets. Houston has to focus on working towards next year by building chemistry and seeing who will be in town for the long-term.

Rockets Host Jazz in Tough, Tall Task

Best in the West.    Reverse Payback.    Worst in the League.

The Rockets host the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, as Houston hopes to miraculously beat one of the NBA’s best teams this season. In fact, judging by record, Utah is the best in the West this season so far, and they have the best mark in the entire league. Houston has a tall task in trying to slow Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, and the Jazz, who have been atop the West for months.

Two of the last three seasons, the Rockets ended Utah’s season in the playoffs. The Jazz haven’t forgotten about that. Expect Utah to come out in full force, and try and obliterate a Rockets team who’s still trying to discover themselves.

After their latest loss in Miami, Houston now officially has the worst record in the NBA. it bodes well for their draft chances, although it’s still a long shot to land one of the top picks. The Rockets hopefully can play hard and improve on building more chemistry for next season.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Utah Jazz (43-15):  Navy

Houston Rockets (15-43):  “City Edition” Blue

 

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Sunburnt:  Rockets Smothered by Heat in Miami, 113-91

Back to Normal.    Florida Blues.    14 To Go.    

Well that didn’t last long. Houston’s winning streak ended at one game as the Rockets got squashed by the Heat, 113-91, on Wednesday night.

Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood led the Rockets with 18 points apiece. Houston managed to hold a one-point halftime edge, but a third quarter burst by Miami  put any hopes of a Rockets victory to bed.

Only 14 games remain in the season, as Houston continues to play will they win or will they tank? Up next, two of the best in the West: the Jazz and the Clippers. A victory would be nice, but with the worst record in the league, Houston now has a chance at landing one of the top picks in this year’s draft. Winning hurts their chances, but I’ve never been a fan of tanking. Hopefully the squad plays hard until the wheels on this season finally fall off.

Rockets Cruise into Miami Aiming for a Florida Weekend Sweep

The Hard Part.    Noladipo.    Stripping Down to the Essentials.

Ok, so we’ve reached the hard part of Houston’s weekend Florida road-trip. The Miami Heat are a much better team than the Orlando Magic, the squad the Rockets just beat on Sunday.

An old-face, Victor Oladipo is on Miami’s roster, but is dealing with another injury and won’t play tonight.

The Rockets have a chance to win tonight, but they’re going to have to be nearly perfect during the hardest part of their Florida trip.

 

AmericanAirlines Arena:  Miami, Florida

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets: (15-42):  Black

Miami Heat (29-28):  White

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Fend-Off Magic for Rare 114-110 Victory

Magic Act.    Solid in the Post.    KPJ’s Growth.

They won a game! Houston finally ended their five-game skid with a 114-110 victory over the Magic on Sunday night.

Christian Wood and Kelly Olynyk combined for nearly 50 points again, this time garnering 49 points as their chemistry continues to build with each game.

Kevin Porter Jr. continues to grow and work on his game. He’ll have to work harder in Houston’s next game if the Rockets want any chance to beat the Heat in Miami.