Month: February 2023

Rockets Host Nuggets in First Home Game After Break

Finally Home.    No Joke.    Patiently Waiting.

The Rockets play their first home game in 20 days on Tuesday night, as they host the Denver Nuggets. Denver boasts the best record in the Western Conference, and is a legitimate title contender this season. They’re led by the reigning two-time MVP, Nikola Jokic, who looks poised to win the award once again this season.

This is going to be a tough matchup for Aleperen Sengun and the Rockets. Houston’s still minus their starting backcourt in Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr., although Coach Stephen Silas said they should be returning soon.

For now, look for KJ Martin and Aleperen Sengun to lead the squad and do most of the damage for the Rockets until the anticipated reinforcements arrive. It won’t be easy to snap their nine-game losing streak against this Denver team, but if the Rockets start hot, they might catch the Nuggets sleeping, and could potentially pull off a huge upset.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Denver Nuggets (43-19):  White

Houston Rockets (13-47):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Dame Time:  Lillard Explodes for 71 Points, as Rockets Lose to Blazers, 131-114

Dame’s Game.    Tough Loss.    Home Cooking Awaits.

Damian Lillard put on a performance for the ages, scoring 71 points, as the Trail Blazers fended off the Rockets, 131-114, on Sunday night. The loss is Houston’s ninth straight overall. The squad fought back from a 23-point deficit to cut the game to within five points, but this matchup simply featured too much Damian Lillard. “Logo Lillard” was on fire from the start. He scored 41 points in the first half en route to tying the NBA’s season high with 71 points, a mark Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell also achieved earlier this season.

Alperen Sengun and Jae’Sean Tate scored 17 points apiece to lead the Rockets. The squad now finally returns home for a two straight matchups on Tuesday and Wednesday against the West’s top teams in the Nuggets and Grizzlies.

Houston hasn’t played a home game since February 8th. Maybe a return to Toyota Center can inspire the squad to snap the losing streak this week.

Rockets Face Blazers in Final Game of Road Trip

Final Stop.    Wrong Time.    Coming Together.

The Houston Rockets battle well-versed Rocket-killer Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night. It’s the final game of a five-game road-trip for the Rockets. Containing Lillard is a key to beating Portland, as always when facing the Blazers. Dame has had some big games against Houston in his career, even ending their season in the postseason once last decade.

Unfortunately, the Rockets are facing Lillard at the wrong time. He didn’t play in Portland’s previous game, due to rest – initiated by weather delays which caused his team to arrive late to their previous game. So, this is Lillard’s first game after the All-Star Break, fresh off winning the NBA’s Three-Point Competition.
Houston will need to come together as a unit, and put on the best defensive effort all season if they want any chance to upset the Blazers tonight.

 

Moda Center:  Portland, Oregon

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (13-46):  Red

Portland Trail Blazers (29-30):  Black

 

Tip-Off:  8:00 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Can’t Contain Thompson, Fall 116-101 to Warriors

Rough Start.    Splashin’ Again.    One More Stop.

Houston got off to a rough start, and couldn’t stop Klay Thompson, as his 42 points propelled the Warriors past the Rockets, 116-101, on Friday night. KJ Martin led Houston with 22 points, as he continues to excel and evolve into the most consistent Rocket this season. Other than KJ, Houston didn’t have many bright spots. Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. returns are both on the horizon, but neither played in the Bay Area, and it showed against the Warriors’ lethal guards.

One more stop remains on this road trip for the Rockets, who haven’t played a home game since February 8th. They’ll travel to Portland to face the Trail Blazers on Sunday night in the finale of this five game All-Star road-trip.

Rockets Visit Warriors to Begin Post-All-Star Stretch

Season Reboot.    The Spoilers.    Stretch 24.    

The Rockets begin the final stretch of the season with a matchup against the defending champion Golden State Warriors. The Dubs are still missing Stephen Curry, but have plenty of other firepower on their roster. Houston will aim to keep Golden State from reaching the .500 mark, as the Warriors are currently 29-30 on the season. For the Rockets, they will be playing the role of spoiler in most of their remaining 24 games of the season. Houston has no chance to make the playoffs, and will be facing playoff or potential playoff teams for the rest of the season, as the majority of the league (25 out of 30 teams still have realistic shot at making the playoffs/play-in tournament).

The squad will still be without Jalen Green tonight, as he suffered an injury in the final game before the break in OKC. The Rockets are also still without Kevin Porter Jr., although Coach Stephen Silas said he’s nearing a return to action. For now, the Rockets will have to upset the Warriors with the guys they have on their roster. The season reboot is here.. can the Rockets make the final stretch a little more interesting? Tune in to watch the squad battle their former arch-enemies in the Bay Area tonight.

 

Chase Center:  San Francisco, California

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (13-45):  White

Golden State Warriors (29-30):  Blue

 

Tip-Off:  9:00 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Blown Out by Thunder, 133-96, in Final Game Before Break

Thundercrushed.    No Chance.    Much-Needed Intermission.

From the opening tip, it was evident this young Rockets team was focused on their upcoming break. They didn’t stand much of a chance against the Thunder on Wednesday night. OKC raced out to an early lead, and blew out Houston, 133-96, in the final game before All-Star Break. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points to lead OKC. The Rockets didn’t have a player score more than 15 points, as Jabari Smith Jr. led the team with that mark.

Houston now gets a much-needed break. After two tough close losses, the Rockets have lost these last pair of games in blowout fashion. It’s time for the group to re-group, and get ready for the final stretch of the season.

Only 24 games remain, and the Rockets will be playing the role of spoiler for the remainder of the campaign. For now, the team needs to have a safe, well-rested break, and hopefully those participating in events at All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City (Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, KJ Martin) will enjoy the festivities.

Rockets Battle Thunder in Final Game Before Break

Stopping SGA.    For the Win.    Last Stop.

The Houston Rockets visit the Oklahoma City Thunder for their final matchup before the NBA’s All-Star Break. Houston won’t play again after tonight until February 24th in the Bay Area. The Rockets are 2-1 against OKC this season, and they’ll try and win the season series with a victory tonight. In order to accomplish this, they’ll have to contain Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA is having breakout season, having propelled his game from All-Star to Superstar levels. 

If Houston can contain SGA, they have a chance. Games right before the break can be tough for young teams because young squads start to focus on the break or vacation. The Rockets need to stay locked in, and if they aren’t, it should be evident from the opening tip.

It’s Houston’s last chance for a win before we head into the final stretch. They’ll be short-handed without Jalen Green, but the Rockets have played well against OKC this season, besides giving up 153 points to the Thunder the last time these teams played. Houston needs to tighten up their defense heading into this final game before All Star Break, or they have no chance for an upset tonight.

 

Paycom Center:  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (13-44):  Black

Oklahoma City Thunder (27-29):  Orange

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Fall to Sixers 123-104, as Skid Reaches Six

Too Much Firepower.    Downward Trend.    One More Chance.

The 76ers had too much firepower, as they handed the Rockets a 123-104 defeat on Monday night. James Harden led Philly with 28 points. Joel Embiid scored 23 points, and Tyrese Maxey had 26 points off the bench as the Sixers made quick work of the Rockets.

Jalen Green led Houston with 29 points, but he didn’t shoot the ball as efficiently as in previous games. After two tough close losses, the Rockets look like they’re running out of steam, anxiously awaiting the All-Star Break so they can get a breather.

They’ll have one more chance to get a victory before the NBA’s intermission, as they head to OKC to battle the Thunder on Wednesday night.

Rockets Visit Philly for Matchup with Sixers

Keep Em Mad.    Miracle Sweep?    Opposite Directions.

The Houston Rockets will try and keep the Philly sports fans upset, as they take on the 76ers on Monday night. The Eagles lost the Super Bowl to the Chiefs last night, and Jabari Smith Jr. didn’t get any sleep, as he posted a clip of Eagles fans going berserk in the streets outside Houston’s hotel room. Hopefully, the Rockets will be ready for Joell Embiid, James Harden, and a tough Sixers team on Monday night.

Houston is looking for the miracle sweep tonight, as they beat the Sixers earlier this season in Houston when the Rockets had that brief stretch where they played well against good competition at home (this stretch also included victories over the Suns and Bucks). Can Houston find a way to re-ignite that magic that seemed to be over a season ago?

These teams are headed in opposite directions, as their records indicate. The Sixers are playoff bound, with anything less than an NBA Championship being considered a disappointing season. The Rockets are firmly in position for a front row seat in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes this summer. Philly’s led by veterans. Houston just traded their lone veteran in Eric Gordon before the trade deadline. Rockets rookies are averaging 21.6 points per game heading into this matchup. The Sixers rookies are averaging 0 points a night. It’s a battle of opposite styles and contrasting eras. Can Houston pull off the miracle sweep and keep the Philly sports fans mad? Tune in tonight to find out.

 

Wells Fargo Center:  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (13-43):  Red

Philadelphia 76ers (36-19):  Blue

 

Tip-Off:  6:00 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Lose to Heat on Final Play, Suffer Crushing 97-95 Defeat in Miami

Heartbreak: Part 2.    Herro Again.    Down to Two.

The Rockets lost on the final play of the game, 97-95, as the Heat found Jimmy Butler for a lob dunk with 0.3 remaining, the same amount of time on the clock in Houston’s previous loss to the Kings. This was another heartbreaking loss for the Rockets, albeit not at the hands of the refs this time. Houston let Tyler Herro have another nice game, as he lit up the Rockets for 31 points.

Jabari Smith Jr. led Houston with 22 points, as the team suffered another tough loss. The Rockets will look to rebound in Philly on Monday night as they try and sweep the Sixers. Philly will rocking either way, considering the Eagles play in the Super Bowl the night before.

Only two games remain for the Rockets before the All Star Break. Hopefully, they can muster a victory out of these last two games, and put these last two losses far in the past.