Month: January 2024

Rockets Aim to Snap Losing Streak, Host Lowly Pistons

New Leaf.    Twin Night.    Record Lows.

The Rockets kick-off 2024 by hosting the Detroit Pistons for a New Year’s Day matchup at Toyota Center. Detroit snapped their NBA-record 28-game losing streak on Saturday, as they beat the undermanned Toronto Raptors at home. The game before that, Detroit narrowly lost to the Boston Celtics on the road in overtime. They recently got their sophomore stud big man, Jalen Duren, back from an injury, and he’s made a difference and been a big reason the Pistons have turned the corner over their last two games. Houston needs to be ready for a Detroit team that is better than their lowly 3-29 record. The Pistons still have some young, talented players the Rockets will need to contend with if they want to snap their own three-game losing streak. And it’s time to snap this skid. After a dominant start at Toyota Center, Houston’s last three losses have all come at home. It’s time the squad turns a new leaf and embraces the remaining four games left on this home-stand.

Besides Duren, Detroit has Cade Cunningham, who went first when Jalen Green went second in the 2021 NBA Draft. Green should always be extra motivated to play against the lone team that passed on him in the draft a few years ago. After injury problems slowed the start of his career, Cunningham is beginning to show why he was the number one overall pick in that draft class. He’s shown signs of All-Star potential, and the Rockets need to be ready for the rising guard. Detroit’s point guard, Jaden Ivey is having somewhat of a breakout season. The young guard will be another headache the Pistons present this evening. And then there’s Ausar Thompson, the twin brother of Amen Thompson. Amen went fourth to the Rockets, and Ausar as selected directly afterward, going fifth to the Pistons. While Amen Thompson has had to fight through early injury issues, and navigating a role on this deep Houston roster, Ausar got off to a fast start for the Pistons. He’s starting to hit the rookie wall over his last few games, but he’s so far the better of the two brothers, as he’s had more playing time and experience. Amen was sidelined for several weeks after getting injured in only the fifth game of the season. The twins will likely be extra hyped and excited to compete against one another tonight. Toyota Center is even giving out a dual “Twin Bobblehead” featuring the twins next to each other to commemorate the event. The Thompsons were former teammates in the G-League, but now they’ll be playing against each other in the most competitive league in the world.

The Houston Rockets are currently riding a three-game losing streak, tied for their longest of the season. In fact, all of Houston’s losses have come during a three-game skid this season. They’ve had five three-game losing streaks this campaign. The good news is, they haven’t lost four straight games. The Rockets need to treat the Pistons with respect, and forget about their record. This is still a professional team Houston is facing on the other side of the court tonight. It seems like weeks since the squad’s put together a solid defensive outing. Expect the Rockets to get back on track against theses Pistons, and avoid a record low losing streak for this season.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Detroit Pistons (3-29):  Black

Houston Rockets (15-15):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Fizzle Late in 131-127 Loss to 76ers

Close the Show.    Missing Pieces.    Turn the Page.

Houston led by as many as eleven points on Friday night, and at one point seemed poised to snap their two game skid. Philly’s Tyrese Maxey had other plans, as he scored 42 points to help the Sixers deal the Rockets a 131-127 loss over the weekend. The defeat is Houston’s third straight. In a very odd statistic, the Rockets have lost all their games in groups of three. They haven’t had a losing streak over three games, but they’ve had several three game skids. Houston’s latest loss was unfortunate and frustrating. The Rockets played a Sixers team minus the reigning MVP, Joel Embiid, yet Houston failed to capitalize on his absence. The squad even had three guys (VanVleet, Green. and Sengun) score at least 28 points. But the Rockets just couldn’t stop Maxey, nor hold their second-half lead, as the Sixers fended off Houston in the final moments of the contest.

Fred VavVleet led the Rockets with 33 points. Jalen Green scored 31 in his second consecutive solid outing. And Alperen Sengun added 28 as he continues his push for an All-Star bid this season. Losing games like Friday against Philly won’t help Sengun’s All-Star chances. Houston is now 2-6 in their last eight games. They need to snap out of their funk, and they need to find a way without Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. who were both sorely missed in the loss to the Sixers. There’s no timetable for either player’s return to action, although neither injury is considered serious. They’ll be back, but for now, the Rockets need to learn how to close the show. Houston held a double-digit second half lead, but once again they surrendered their advantage, as the defense continues to be porous for this Rockets team. the majority of Houston’s wins have come in games around the 100-110 mark. The Rockets are best when their defensive intensity is at its highest, and when the squad lets opponents score 120 or more points, it’s usually a recipe for a Houston loss.

This was the final game of 2023 for the Rockets, who will now have the rare two days off, before starting 2024 with a New Year’s Day matchup against the Pistons. Detroit recently broke their NBA-record 28-game losing streak, defeating the short-handed Toronto Raptors in their previous game on Saturday. Houston will aim to avoid what would be their worst loss of the season, as they host the Pistons on Monday with a chance to snap their own three-game skid. Despite not having Embiid, the Sixers showed why they’re one of the best teams in the NBA this season. Detroit won’t present the same challenge, but the Rockets need to still show them the proper respect. Houston needs to turn the page on 2023, which is officially in the books. Hopefully, the Rockets can regain that swagger they had earlier this season to start the new year.