Month: November 2023

Rockets Finish L.A. Series with Battle Against Lakers

L.A. Part Two.    Front Half.    Pretend Playoffs.     

Coming off their most heartbreaking loss of the season, at the hands of James Harden and the new-look Clippers, the Rockets close their L.A. weekend series with a matchup against LeBron James and the Lakers. This is the second game in a row Houston will play in L.A., and it’s also the second time these two teams are squaring off this season. The Rockets won the first matchup in blowout fashion, 128-94, back on November 8th in Houston. Expect tonight’s contest to be much more competitive, as the Lakers are 4-1 since the Rockets crushed them nearly two weeks ago. L.A. is also an impressive 5-1 at home, and will be looking for some revenge after Houston throttled them in the first matchup.

Tonight is also the front half of the Rockets’ first back-to-back of the season. Houston’s in the middle of a tough three games in four nights stretch. After facing the Lakers, they’ll meet a desperate Golden State Warriors team who has lost six straight games. Hopefully the young squad learned from their previous loss to the Clips on Friday night. It was a game the Rockets handed over to the Clippers. Houston outplayed L.A., but made some poor decisions down the stretch that cost them the game. The officials didn’t help, and don’t expect them to be any kinder in LeBron’s house tonight. Jalen Green played well throughout his young career against the Lakers. Hopefully that trend continues tonight as Green seeks to become a more consistent player on a nightly basis.

Friday night’s game, as most In-Season Tournament games this season, had the atmosphere of playoff game. And while tonight’s contest isn’t an In-Season Tourney matchup, the Lakers are playing with a renewed sense of urgency since the Rockets last saw them. If Houston can match this sense of desperation and play harder than the Lakers, the squad has a chance to come out of this L.A. series with a victory. Anthony Davis, who didn’t play in the first tilt between these teams, is expected to suit up tonight. Which essentially means Alperen Sengun has a challenging workload ahead. If Sengun’s shown anything this season, it’s his refusal to back down from any challenge, a quality that also epitomizes these young Rockets. Houston may not win tonight, but don’t expect a blowout from the Lakers. After their opening night dud in Orlando, the Rockets have been competitive in every game this season. It’s a trend that should continue tonight… as Houston looks to put heartbreak in the past and get back on the winning track.

 

Crypto.com Arena:  Los Angeles, California

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (6-4):  Black

Los Angeles Lakers (7-6):  White

 

Tip-Off:  8:30 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Hardened Heartbreak: Rockets Collapse in Final Minutes, Fall to Clippers, 106-100

Clock Mismanagement.    Snapped.    Desperation Road.

Houston held a 99-94 lead with a little over two minutes remaining in their battle against Los Angeles on Friday night. The Rockets would only score one more points, as the Clips closed on a 12-1 run to defeat Houston, 106-100. James Harden hit a go-ahead three-pointer and got fouled with a little over six seconds remaining that put the game out of reach for the Rockets. This was Harden’s best game since joining the Clippers six games ago. The Beard finished with 24 points on an efficient 8-for-11 shooting, and also had 9 boards and 7 assists. Jae’Sean Tate fouled Harden on the play, but the Rockets lost this game way before that shot.

Clock mismanagement was a huge issue down the stretch for Houston. The squad loves to play at a fast pace, but when there’s roughly two minutes left in the game, and you have a five-point cushion, you need to use the clock to your advantage. And the Rockets pushed the ball and committed way too many turnovers that gave the Clips extra chances. 14 of Houston’s 18 turnovers were in the second half. Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 23 points and 8 boards. Fred VanVleet had another solid game with 19 points and 10 assists. Jalen Green added 20 points, and Tari Eason provided a boost off the bench by scoring 12 on the night. Houston now falls to 1-1 in the West Group B Standings for the In-Season Tournament. The Clippers improved to 1-2. The Rockets are in third and have remaining tournament games hosting the Denver Nuggets and finally traveling to play the Dallas Mavericks. This is by far the toughest group in the entire league. If the Rockets somehow find a way to advance into knockout play, it would be extremely impressive.

This young Houston squad competed toe-to-toe with one of the most talented, and desperate teams in the NBA. The Clips weren’t going to keep losing forever. It’s a shame they had to snap their six game losing -skid at the expense of the Rockets’ six-game winning streak. It’s a tough loss for Houston, who lost their first close game of the season (not including the overtime that got out of hand in San Antonio earlier in the campaign), after coming off two straight close nail-biting come-back victories. The Rockets got a little taste of their own medicine tonight. But this team has nothing to be ashamed of, they left it all out on the floor. The Clippers benefited from some late mistakes by a young Houston team, and hit some clutch shots. This is the type of loss the Rockets will definitely learn from moving forward in the season. Losses like these and necessary. It’s part of the growing pains that come with a rebuilding, rising team, like Houston.

Up next, the journey doesn’t get any easier as the Rockets continue traveling on Desperation Road. After facing a desperate Clippers team that had lost six straight, Houston now faces the other L.A. team, the Lakers, who are desperately trying to stay above .500 with a record of 7-6. LeBron and company is seeking revenge after the Rockets blew them out in Houston back on November 8th. Since that blowout, the Lakers have gone 4-1, and are a very impressive 5-1 at home. It’s a tough task for the Rockets, who then face a Golden State Warriors team the next night looking to snap a six-game losing streak. It’s the longest skid of the Steve Kerr era (which began 8 years ago) for Golden State. At least Houston won’t be traveling for their second road game of this three-game trip. They’ll stay in the same city and play in the same building when they meet the Lakers on Sunday night. For now, the squad needs to keep their confidence, and get some rest on this brief off-day, before embarking on their first back-to-back of the season.

   

Rockets Face Clippers in Tourney Match as Road Trip Begins

On the Road Again.    Sinking Ship.    Tourney Time, Part 2.

After enjoying the rare luxury of four days off during the NBA season, the red-hot Rockets hit the road to begin a stretch of three road games in four nights. On Friday night, Houston will face a few familiar foes as they battle former Rockets James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and the Los Angeles Clippers. Harden and Westbrook are new members to the Clippers this season, with Harden joining the team five games ago in a mid-season trade with the 76ers. The Clips are winless since Harden joined their club. After starting 3-1, Los Angeles is now 0-6 since, and 0-5 since acquiring Harden a few weeks ago. After battling the Clippers tonight, the Rockets have their first back-to-back on Sunday and Monday when they face-off against the Lakers and Warriors, both for the second time this season. For now, Houston will try and keep the former face of their franchise (Harden) winless with his current team. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are both expected to play, as they’ve played more games since the NBA issued their new rule prohibiting stars from “resting.” Despite the Clips record, they have plenty of weapons, and came up just short in Denver against the champs. If Houston isn’t prepared, they could be in a for a long start to this road trip.

These squads are currently heading in opposite directions. The Rockets have won six consecutive games, whilst the Clippers have lost six straight games. Houston will aim to seep their winning streak alive on the road, as the squad searches for their first road win of the season. Of the Rockets’ nine games, seven have been in Houston so far, and the team is winless on the road in two tries. However, the Rockets have shown serious improvement since the first two games of the season. Houston is undefeated in the month on November, and will look to continue that trend as they battle the Clippers tonight. Russell Westbrook recently announced his decision to come off the bench to try and solve the Clip’s slumping struggles. His move to the second unit could be the medicine L.A. needs to get their season back on track. Regardless, the Rockets will try and deal Harden another loss, as this is part of the core he left to rot as rookies when he departed Houston nearly three years ago. These young rooks are much improved now, and seeking revenge on an aging Harden, who’s playing nowhere near the peak level he reached in Houston.

Tonight’s matchup marks the second In-Season Tournament Game for the Rockets this season, and their first on the road. Houston is 1-0 in Group B play, with their victory over the Pelicans last Friday night. Group B is arguably the toughest of all the In-Season Tournament Groups. Besides the Clippers, the Pelicans, Mavericks, and defending champion Nuggets are in Houston’s group. Los Angeles is 0-2 in Group B play, with losses to the Mavericks and most recently, the Nuggets. The Rockets can essentially knock the Clippers out of contention with a victory in their group-play matchup tonight. Houston is red-hot, but all of their wins have come at home. The squad will aim to secure their first road win of the season, and keep the Clippers reeling with a victory tonight. The Rockets may be a little rusty after enduring their longest break of the season so far, but expect the squad to wake up by the second period. Hopefully the squad can contain a fired-up Westbrook and desperate Clippers team seeking their first win in seven tries. Ime Udoka’s been the Coach of the Year so far during this early season, and he won’t allow his young squad to have a letdown. Like the majority of the league’s In-Season Tournament Games, expect a close and competitive matchup tonight as the Rockets seek their seventh straight win.

 

Crypto.com Arena:  Los Angeles, California

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (6-3):  White

Los Angeles Clippers (3-7):  “City Edition” Blue

 

Tip-Off:  9:30 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Stun Nuggets, Rally for 107-104 Comeback Win

How Sweet It Is!    The Rise of Sengun.    Breather.

“How Sweet it Is!”, as the former voice of the Rockets on radio, Gene Peterson, used to say on airwaves for 33 years after every Houston win. On Sunday night, Houston rallied in the fourth quarter to shock the best team in the NBA, the Denver Nuggets. The Rockets overcame a slow start, en route to winning their sixth consecutive game. Houston trailed 30-23 after the first quarter, but slowly crept back into the game, cutting the deficit to two entering the final period. The squad took the lead in the final minutes, toppling the champs for another upset victory, resulting in Houston’s most impressive win this season. The win concludes the longest home-stand of the year for the Rockets, as they finished with a 6-1 record, winning the last six games after opening with a heartbreaking loss to the Golden State Warriors. And each victory seemingly came against a better opponent, as Houston passed six of their first seven tests at home.

Fred VanVleet had a stellar performance for Houston once again, leading the squad in scoring with 26 points, and some key plays down the stretch. Alperen Sengun continues to make his case for being an All-Star this season. Sengun registered 23 points, 8 boards, and 5 assists. Houston’s big man also held his own against Denver’s Nikola Jokic. Arguably the best big man in the NBA, The Joker went off for another triple-double, recording a ridiculous 36 points, 21 rebounds, and 11 assists on the evening. Regardless, Sengun outplayed Joker down the stretch when the game mattered most, and the Rockets were able to pull-off the upset victory over the defending champs. Sengun held Jokic to 6-for-17 shooting form the floor as his primary defender. The Joker shot 7-for-9 against everyone else combined. Sengun’s defensive improvements have been a marvel to witness. Michael Porter Jr. was the biggest threat besides Jokic, but the Rockets weathered an efficient shooting night from MPJ, which resulted in 25 points, to stave off the Nuggets. Jeff Green, who has quietly been fantastic for Houston off the bench as a new addition to this unit, had arguably his best game of the season. Going up against his former team (Green played for Denver last season), Uncle Jeff scored 13 of his 15 points in the final period, and was a force on defense, calling out familiar plays for Houston on the defensive end. The other Green, Jalen, had his worst shooting game of the year, going 1-for-13 from the floor for only 9 points. However, Green had his best game of the season in terms of contributing in other areas for the Rockets. Houston’s young star secured 8 rebounds and dished out 5 dimes, big improvements over Green’s averages, and tying Sengun for the most of any Rocket on the night as he stay focused and locked-in during the contest. Green also avoided any turnovers or missed free throws, areas he’s struggled in to begin this season.

Houston has now won six games in a row, their longest winning streak since December of 2021. Head Coach Ime Udoka has the Rockets playing with a level of defensive intensity and focus on offense never witness during the Stephen Silas coaching era. Houston’s defense currently ranks 3rd in the entire league after being in the bottom four during Silas’ tenure. If Udoka ensures the Rockets continues to play at a high level on a nightly basis, he will be the front-runner for Coach of the Year. Besides the new coaching staff, the biggest reason the Rockets are playing at a high level is the rise of their young Center, Alperen Sengun. The big man has been the best Houston player overall all season so far. Not only is Sengun receiving more recognition in H-Town, he’s starting to put the entire league on notice. After holding his own against Jokic, New Orleans’ Zion Williamson, and Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis (twice), all Rocket victories, Sengun has shown he can outplay some of the NBA’s best big men. These guys may still be putting up big numbers, but Sengun is outplaying his opponents down the stretch as they fade and tire out. If Houston continues their winning ways, expect to hear Sengun’s name up for All-Star consideration. He’s off to a fantastic third year to begin his season, averaging 19.4 points on 60% shooting, while also registering 8.2 rebounds and 6 assists per game. Sengun’s expanded his game. He can attack off the dribble, back guys down and use a jump hook with any hand. Houston’s big man’s also developing a floater and he’s improved his jumper. The Rockets need Sengun to keep playing at a high level if they want to continue their winning streak on the road next weekend.

The squad now gets a bit of a breather, as the team has four days off before they embark on a three-game west coast road-trip starting Friday night in Los Angeles. Houston needs to rest up, as they’ve played every other night for nine days. The road trip begins with a matchup against the struggling Clippers. The Rockets then face the Lakers and Warriors in their first back-to-back of the season starting next Sunday.  Hopefully, the winning ways continue on the road for Houston, one of the surprise teams of the NBA to begin this young season. Extending this victory by beating former Rocket James Harden and the Clippers would be, as Gene Peterson would say… “How Sweet It Is!”

Rockets Welcome Nuggets to Wrap Up Home-Stand

Early Finale.    Championship Mirror.    No Joke.

Houston rides a five-game winning streak as they host the defending champion Denver Nuggets on Sunday night. This marks the end of a seven-game home-stand for the Rockets, who have gone 5-1 so far. The squad will embark on a three-game road-trip next weekend, after getting a rare four straight days off after tonight’s tilt. The Nuggets will be without All-Star guard Jamal Murray, who’s expected to miss a few more weeks. Denver’s been fine without Murray, as they’ve cruised to an NBA-best 8-1 record to start their season. Their lone loss came at Minnesota, and the Timberwolves are off to one of their best starts in franchise history, boasting a record of 6-2, good for third in the West at the moment. Superstar center Nikola Jokic has played at an MVP-level all season, carrying the Nuggets since Murray went down with an injury.

This will be the toughest test yet for Houston, but especially Alperen Sengun. The Rockets’ big man has been their best player all season, as he’s been playing at an All-Star caliber level. Sengun will face his toughest matchup all season tonight when he squares off against “The Joker.” The Rockets need to help Sengun defensively, and continue the incredible team defense they’ve displayed over the last few games. Houston has held their opponents below 100 points in three of their last four games, with the exception being the 101 points New Orleans scored on Friday night. Jokic will be handful for this young Rockets team. He’s the best passing big man in the NBA, and  is a triple-double threat on a nightly-basis. If Houston can somewhat contain Jokic, they have a chance to pull off the upset.

A victory tonight would be the most impressive of the season for the Rockets. The Nuggets are motivated to show people last season was no fluke. Denver is dead-set determined to repeat as Champions. They have one of the league’s most disciplined coach in Mike Malone, who influences them to play hard on every possession. Besides the Joker, the Nuggets have several role players who can explode for 20-plus points on any given night. These include most notably Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Reggie Jackson. Jokic is the focal point on defense for Houston, but the Rockets need to avoid letting any of the aforementioned players get hot, or Denver could steamroll to an easy victory. Houston has played extremely well during their current five-game win-streak. However, tonight’s matchup is by far another animal compared to the teams the Rockets have faced so far this season. Sunday night’s battle will be the best indicator of how good this Rockets team really is at the moment, as they’ll have a chance to stare straight into the face of a Championship Mirror. If Houston can continue to play together, and somehow manage to contain Jokic, they have a shot to upset the defending champs tonight… and close their early-season home-stand with a huge statement win.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Denver Nuggets (8-1):  Blue

Houston Rockets (5-3):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  6:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Pluck Win Late From Pelicans, 104-101, as Streak Reaches Five

Bringing the Sauce.    Culture Shift.    Cautious Optimism.

Entering the final period, the Rockets trailed by 9 points, with their winning streak in jeopardy. However clutch plays by Fred VanVleet, Alperen Sengun, and Dillon Brooks helped fuel a 104-101 comeback win over the Pelicans, as Houston extended their winning streak to five games. This was the most impressive victory so far for the Rockets on this young season. VanVleet had some huge clutch threes late, including the go-ahead shot that put the Rockets up for good in the closing minutes. FVV registered 20 points and 8 assists in another impressive outing as the leader on the court for this young Houston squad. Sengun was spectacular on both ends of the floor all evening. The big man recorded 24 points and 8 boards on the evening. More importantly, Sengun had several tremendous hustle plays and some of the best defense we’ve seen from him in his entire career. This contest was also the first In-Season Tournament Game for both teams, and the Rockets are now 1-0 in their group. The group also includes the defending champion Denver Nuggets, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Los Angeles Clippers. Houston now stands at 1-0 in the group, pushing New Orleans to 0-1.

If you haven’t been watching Rockets basketball, it’s clear Sengun should be in the All-Star conversation. The big man has brought the sauce all season long as Houston’s weathered a tough early season schedule. Dillon Brooks got into foul trouble, yet was still superb defensively as the Rockets withstood 31 points from Brandon Ingram to lead New Orleans. Zion Williamson scored the majority of his 26 points early in this contest, and Houston managed to weather that early storm. Jalen Green once again led the Rockets in scoring with 25 points. Green is slowly becoming a more efficient shooter, resulting in better overall performances. This is the third straight game Green’s scored at least 23 points, and he’s becoming more aggressive attacking the basket. His shot selection has also improved, aiding the improvement in his three-point percentage.

This was a game the Rockets would have never won during the Stephen Silas era. The culture shift in Houston’s locker room is evident. The team is responding to new veteran leadership from VanVleet, Brooks, and Jeff Green, resulting in a more cohesive and productive unit on the court. Houston faced double-digit deficits in both halves against New Orleans, yet rallied each time to stay in the game, eventually resulting in victory. Despite winning five straight games, the Rockets have gotten breaks with several teams missing key players. De’Aaron Fox missed both victories over Sacramento, Anthony Davis missed the win over the Lakers, and C.J. McCollum didn’t play for New Orleans. At least the Rockets are protecting home court, as this winning streak has occurred entirely at Toyota Center. Houston will get their toughest test yet when they host the defending champion Denver Nuggets on Sunday night to close out this seven-game home-stand. Denver will be without Jamal Murray, but they haven’t been fazed. The Nuggets have the league’s best record at 8-1 and have steamrolled through their early schedule. After beating the Pelicans in impressive fashion, the Rockets will aim to make their loudest statement yet in their final step of this home-stand by defeating the champs.

Rockets Begin Their In-Season Tournament, Host Pelicans

Tourney Time.    Big Question.    Strive for Five. 

The Rockets play their first ever In-Season Tournament Game on Friday night, as they host the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans are reeling at the moment, having lost three straight. Zion Williamson didn’t play in their previous game for personal reasons, but he’ll be back in action tonight at Toyota Center. The Pelicans are an even 4-4 on the season. Houston is aiming for their fifth straight victory, after starting the season with an 0-3 record. The Pelicans are without All-Star guard C.J. McCollum, who has a collapsed lung and his timetable to return is uncertain. Regardless, the Pelicans have Zion Williamson, one of the most unstoppable forces in the NBA when he’s healthy. And when he’s played this season, he’s been healthy, creeping closer to achieving the dominant potential that was heaved on him when he arrived in the league. The Rockets will need to work as a team to contain Zion, as Houston aims to hold an opponent under 100 points for the fourth straight game.

The biggest question for the Rockets tonight is Alperen Sengun’s status. He is currently questionable for tonight’s contest after suffering an ankle injury in Houston’s win over the Lakers. If Sengun can play, the Rockets should win tonight. If the big man can’t give it a go, Houston will be tested for the first time all season without Sengun. The Rockets’ center has been the best player so far this season. The best teams find ways to win without their best players. Houston’s shown their lineup is deeper than most expected, and the squad has been playing at a very high, consistent level during this winning streak. Of the teams that currently have a top ten rating on both ends of the floor, the Rockets join only these contenders: the 76ers, Celtics, and defending champion Nuggets.

Houston will look to extend their streak to five as they begin their In-Season Tournament play on Friday night. How does the In-Season Tournament work? To summarize as efficiently as possible, the league created 6 groups of 5 teams each. Each team will play all four group opponents once before moving on the knockout stage. The group stage includes two games at home and on the road for all teams. So essentially, tonight’s contest means little more than the average game. This matchup will count in the regular season standings, but it will also count towards seeing who makes it out of their group. Two teams from each group advance. There will also be two wild-card teams from each conference to ensure there are 16 teams that make it to the knockout round. The Rockets strive for five straight wins tonight, trying to start their tourney play with a victory as the home-stand continues on Friday night.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

New Orleans Pelicans (4-4):  Navy

Houston Rockets (4-3):  “City Edition” White

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Dismantle Lakers in 128-94 Blowout, Win Fourth Straight

Locked Up Lake Show.    Selection Show.    Easy Recipe.

“Unselfish offense, aggressive defense… it’s a pretty easy recipe,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said after Houston demolished the Lakers in a 128-94 victory. The win is the fourth consecutive for the Rockets, who started the season 0-3, but now stand at 4-3. Despite no Anthony Davis and several other players, Houston’s latest victory was another impressive showing in this early season. LeBron James was held to just 18 points, which for him, is the equivalent of being “locked up.” Dillon Brooks had a stellar game defensively, and the squad did as a whole. This was the third straight game the Rockets prevented their opponent from scoring 100 points. Jalen Green led Houston with his most efficient performance of the season. The Rockets’ young star scored a season-high 28 points on 11-for-15 shooting. Green had added motivation from Coach Udoka before the game, who reminded him that Austin Reaves was selected ahead of Green for Team USA this past summer. Green did his best impersonation of the “Dunkstronaut”, after a steal on Reaves and flashy dunk.

Houston’s new uniforms looked very slick, and the court was a fresh spin on the usual hardwood we see at Toyota Center. In their latest blowout, the Rockets had contributions from nearly the entire team. The squad had 13 different players score on Wednesday night. Even Boban Marjanovic got to wow the crowd near the end of the game. Houston led from the opening tip in this one, and didn’t look back. Alperen Sengun registered 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, as he continues to show people why he’s one of the cornerstones of this franchise. In his first game of the season, Tari Eason was spectacular. Eason scored 9 points and grabbed 9 boards in only 14 minutes of action off the bench. He showed why he should be considered one of the best bench players in the entire league. Fred VanVleet didn’t shoot well, but dished out 10 assists. And Jae’Sean Tate scored 14 points, as he’s quietly been one of the most consistent Rockets so far this season.

Houston still has yet to play a team with a winning record, but one has to be blind to not recognize the difference in this Rockets team this season. Their defense has exponentially improved, and they’re sharing the ball on offense with more fluidity and efficiency, resulting in more controlled, productive play. These Rockets poke bears, spoil contenders’ hopes, and are in the midst of quietly gaining the attention of the NBA world. Up next, Houston hosts the New Orlean Pelicans on Friday night in their first In-Season Tournament game. The Rockets will have a different court on Friday as well, albeit a much brighter one than fans are used to seeing. The Pelicans will prove to be a tough challenge, and most In-Season Tournament games the NBA’s seen so far have been close and competitive. Expect conditions to be a little tougher against the Rockets on Friday night as Zion Williamson, one of the league’s best talents, comes to town. As Coach Udoka said, the Rockets need to focus on playing with unselfish offense, and aggressive defense, a blueprint for success that’s worked for Houston in their past four games… an easy recipe.

Rockets Eye Four Straight Wins, Host LeBron’s Lakers on Wednesday Night

Homecourt Heroes.    Break the Throne.    Urgency Test.

It’s been a long time since the Rockets had winning record during the season. Not since February 1st, 2021, when Houston was 10-9 during the end of the James Harden era have the Rockets had a record above .500. Houston aims to change that tonight, as they will look to win their fourth straight game and improve to 4-3 on the season. The squad welcomes LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers into the friendly confines of Toyota Center on Wednesday night. LeBron James is still playing at an absurdly high level, despite nearing age 39. James had 30 points in the Lakers latest game, a one point loss in Miami on Monday night. L.A. is 0-4 on the road this season, compared 3-0 at home. Expect LeBron and the Lakers to come out hungry for their first road win tonight. The Rockets are aiming to prevent that, as they debut their Hometown Heroes court and jerseys tonight. The threads honor Houston legends Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, who helped bring the Rockets their first titles in the 90’s. The uniforms are white with red lettering, and look very slick with a retro appeal.

The Rockets face their toughest test of the young season so far on Wednesday night. Dillon Brooks has already mentioned he’s going to “lock him up” when asked about James. Hopefully Brooks didn’t give James any extra motivation. Dillon the Villain’s been off to a sensational start, but LeBron is still one of the best players in the world, and it’s going to take a complete team-effort on defense to prevent James from delivering a monster performance. Anthony Davis left the game in Miami early and is considered questionable for tonight. The Lakers will be seeing the return of Rui Hachimura to the lineup after he missed several games with an injury. Can Houston push L.A. into an early season 3-5 hole, or will LeBron’s leadership be too much for this young Rockets team to handle? Tonight’s contest is the most intriguing so far on the season. We’ll find out soon enough. Isn’t it time someone showed James he’s over-the-hill? Father time is undefeated… why not start showing signs now? Houston needs to help Brooks on defense, who will be James’ primary, but certainly not only, defender. Besides LeBron, and potentially Anthony Davis, the Rockets need to keep an eye on Austin Reaves. The young guard can be deadly from the perimeter for the Lakers. If the squad leaves Reaves open, they could be in for a long, disappointing evening. Ex-Rocket Christian Wood is also returning to Toyota Center. Wood has been a nice addition for L.A. so far this season, and he’ll be seeking revenge against his former team.

Houston has fared extremely well at home after disappearing late against the Warriors in their home opener. The Rockets are now 3-1 at Toyota Center, compared to 0-2 on the road. This will be the biggest challenge Houston has faced in this early season. Other than the Warriors, they haven’t faced a team with a winning record. Despite having a losing record at 3-4, the Lakers will be playing with a “winning record” mentality. Houston’s young squad has shown vast amounts of confidence playing at home. And they get a jolt of energy in the return of Tari Eason tonight. Eason will make his season debut tonight after being out with an injury he suffered in the preseason. Last year, Eason was an energizer bunny for the Rockets. He should mesh back into his role seamlessly, although he may be on a minute-restriction for his first game. Expect tonight’s matchup to be closer than either of the Sacramento games. We’re likely in for a close game tonight, if the NBA doesn’t interfere. LeBron James has already started compiling about his lack of free throws, which won’t help the Rockets against an aggressive LeBron tonight. Regardless, whichever teams plays with a greater sense of urgency wins tonight’s contest. Hopefully Houston continues to move the ball on offense, attack the glass, and minimize their turnovers. If the Rockets can hone in on these areas… they’ve got a great shot to obtain their first winning record in a long time.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Los Angeles Lakers (3-4):  Purple

Houston Rockets (3-3):  “City Edition” White

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Dethrone Kings in 122-97 Romp, Win Third Straight

Something in the Air.    Clamping Down.    Home, Sweet, Home.

The Rockets battered and beat down the Kings for a second straight game, en route to a 122-97 romp. Houston led by as many as 40 points, as they put on another impressive performance, improving to 3-3 on the season. It’s the first time the Rockets have been at .500 since October 22nd, 2021, when the team was 1-1. And for the first time in over three years, something feels different about the air in Houston. Gone are the days of blowout losses, and disappointing letdowns. This Rockets team won’t win every game, but they won’t let their fans down in the process. Ime Udoka has done a tremendous job early in the season, especially considering Houston’s 0-3 start that featured a couple of heartbreaking losses. Jalen Green led the way in scoring with 23 points for the Rockets on a night where most rotational players were out of the game by the fourth quarter. Keon Ellis led Sacramento with 15 points off the bench in game the Kings never made interesting. Houston was in complete control from the opening tip, and didn’t look back on Wednesday night, as they swept this early two-game set with Sacramento.

One of the most notable differences in the Rockets recent string of victories has been their improvement on defense. After giving up over 105 points in each of their first four games, Houston held Sacramento below 100 points in both contests. The squad’s increased effort on the glass was a major reason the defense improved, and they’ll look to continue staying aggressive, attacking the basket for rebounds on both ends of the court. Alperen Sengun continues to be the best player on the Rockets. Sengun dished out career-high 12 assists against the Kings on Monday night. The big man also contributed 17 points and 8 boards on an efficient night at the office. Houston’s upcoming three-game stretch to end this home-stand is a little more difficult than the Sacramento Kings team the Rockets just faced. The squad needs to be prepared to stay focused, and be determined to outlast their opponent’s intensity. 

The Rockets have now won three straight games, all at home, and they’ll look to add to that win streak when they host the Lakers on Wednesday night. Houston has four games remaining on this lengthy seven-game home-stand. The Rockets have taken advantage so far, as the squad is 3-1 at home, compared to winless 0-2 on the road. The Lakers are winless on the road as well, and will be hungry for their first road win. L.A. is coming off a one-point loss in Miami on Monday night. If Houston continues to play together and follow their coach’s lead, they’ll have a great shot to keep a road win out of L.A.’s grasp. Nevertheless, the effort the Rockets showed in dismantling the Kings over two games should boost this team’s confidence. Houston’s ready to welcome anyone to Toyota Center. Besides the heartbreaking loss to the Warriors in their home opener, the Rockets have protected home-court, and they’ll look to continue that on Wednesday night.