Rockets Hope Winning Ways Travel, Begin Four-Game Trip in Denver
Rocky Road Ahead. Altitude Adjustment. Mile-High Two Step.
Jalen Green and the Houston Rockets look to continue streaking in the right direction, as they battle Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets tonight in the Mile High City. Monday’s match is the first of four straight on the road for the Rockets, including the first of two in a row in Denver. These squads will square up for a rematch on Wednesday night. The Nuggets are off to a 12-7 start, and will likely be contending for the Western Conference throne come May. Denver has All-Star guard Jamal Murray back in the fold after he missed the entire season last year due to injury. Along with “The Joker”, the Nuggets boast one of the best duos in the entire league.
For now, Houston needs to hope the momentum from winning two straight for the first time all season travels with them on the road. They’ll need to adjust to the altitude in Denver, as it really does have an effect on the players’ performances. Maybe the Rockets are young enough to withstand the altitude, and play on sheer drive to earn a tough victory. Jabari Smith Jr.’s play seems to improve with each game, and Houston will need another solid outing from their rookie if they want to upset the Nuggets tonight. Expect different schemes of rotations tonight, as some players will be hampered by the altitude more than others.
This is the first of two in a row against the Nuggets, with the second match coming Wednesday. Will the Rockets still be suffering from winners’ hangover after securing their first streak of the season? Expect a closer game than most expect tonight. For many Rockets, this is their first game playing in the altitude. If Houston’s going to pull the upset in Denver over one of these next two games, tonight puts the odds slightly more in the Rockets favor compared to Wednesday. Houston will be the underdogs this entire road trip, and expect the squad to scare, and maybe even upset the Nuggets tonight. The Rockets are on a roll, and have been playing consistently better in the past few weeks… anything’s possible tonight.
Ball Arena: Denver, Colorado
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (5-14): Red
Denver Nuggets (12-7): Navy Blue
Tip-Off: 8:00 PM CT
TV: AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass