Month: February 2024

Rockets Host Rebuilding Raptors in Home-Stand Finale

Jurassic Fridays.    Stay in the Picture.    Future Addition.

It’s the first of two “Jurassic Fridays,” as the Rockets host the rebuilding Toronto Raptors on Friday night. This is the first matchup between the squads this season, and the teams will wrap up their season series with a rematch next Friday in Toronto. The Raptors are currently 17-30, good for 12th place in the East. They’re actually coming off a win in Chicago over the Bulls, but these Raptors are in full rebuilding mode. They traded two of their best players, O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, earlier this season. Houston needs to take advantage of a team that clearly has their eyes set on the upcoming Draft Lottery. The Rockets are coming off a frustrating 110-99 loss the Pelicans on Wednesday night. Houston was out-hustled, and notably out-manned on the glass in that contest. The squad will try and get back on track against an easier opponent tonight.

The Rockets are currently 22-25 in the standings, which places them at 11th place in the West, just outside of the final Play-In spot. Houston only trails the Utah Jazz and the Lakers by a game or so for that final spot. This Rockets team is more than capable of sneaking into the Play-In, but they’ll need to win games like tonight against Toronto if they want to climb back in the race. The Raptors still some talent to reckon with, as do all NBA teams. Scottie Barnes is one of the best young players in the NBA, and is having a breakout-third season after struggling in his sophomore year. He will likely be guarded by Dillon Brooks as the focal point of Houston’s defense tonight.

In other news, the Rockets traded Victor Oladipo and three future draft picks for Steven Adams from the Memphis Grizzlies. Adams is out with the season with an injury, so this move is an addition for the future. Oladipo hadn’t played any games the season with Houston, so the Rockets are essentially only losing a few picks for one of the league’s best role players in this deal. Adams is one of the toughest players in the league, and the Aussie will be a great backup at center for Houston’s budding All-Star, Alperen Sengun. RJ Barrett remains out with an injury, but Immanuel Quickley will be making his return for the Raptors after missing a few games. Barrett and Quickly are new additions for Toronto from New York in the Anunoby deal. The Rockets are coming off a game they lost due to lack of effort. It is the “Dog Days” of the NBA season, as we’re nearing the All-Star break. Players are starting to feel the grind of an 82 game season as we’re now well into the second-half of this campaign. Except for Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore, who are both rolling right now. Look for both guards to continue having efficient performances as they face a bad Raptors team tonight. Plus, Ime Udoka should have Houston fired up and ready to end this home-stand with a win over Toronto on Friday night.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Toronto Raptors (17-30):  Black

Houston Rockets (22-25):  “City Edition” White

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Dominated on the Boards in 110-99 Loss to Pelicans

Energy Slippage.    Consistent Cam.    Out of Steam.

Jalen Green continued his resurgent play of late, scoring 31 points to lead the Rockets. However, it wasn’t enough against the Pelicans, as New Orleans defeated Houston, 110-99, on Wednesday night. After being outplayed by Alperen Sengun in the first two matchups, both Rocket wins, Jonas Valanciunas had one of his best games of the season. The Pelicans’ big man scored 25 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead New Orleans. Houston had no answers for Valanciunas, who was a beast on the glass and in the interior all night long. Brandon Ingram added 24 points and 10 boards, and C.J. McCollum chipped in 19 points for the Pels. This was Houston’s first loss to New Orleans

Jalen Green had another solid shooting performance to go with his 31 points. Jalen shot 11-for-20 overall from the floor, but his three-point shooting was the impressive stat. Green may be starting to find his stroke from beyond the arc as the guard went 5-for-12 from three on Wednesday night. He also registered 4 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks on the evening. Cam Whitmore continues to be a consistent force of explosive energy off the bench for the Rockets. Whitmore scored 17 points on 50% shooting in only 20 minutes of action. Alperen Sengun had a rough night, scoring only 10 points, as Valanciunas was too much for Al-P to handle on Wednesday.

Houston was manhandled on the glass against New Orleans. The Pelicans grabbed 27 more rebounds than the Rockets, and were the more aggressive team from the opening tip. Houston trailed by eight points after the first quarter, but the Rockets managed to chip away and make it a five-point game heading into the final period. Unfortunately, Houston ran out of steam in the fourth quarter. The Pelicans started the final frame on a 15-0 run to put the game away for good. Up next for the Rockets, the squad will close out their home-stand by hosting Fred VanVleet’s former team, the Toronto Raptors, on Friday night. Toronto is in full rebuilding mode… giving Houston a great shot to snap back on the winning track this Friday night.

Rockets vs. Pelicans Pre-Game 1/31/24

Rockets Seek Second Straight Win, Greet Pelicans

Inching Closer.    Mountainous Question.    Maintain Perfection.

Houston tries to inch closer up in the standings as they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. The Rockets are coming off an impressive 16-point win over the Lakers on Monday to kick-off this three-game home-stand. After putting up 153 points in a win over the Jazz, the Pelicans have lost three straight games to tough opponents (Thunder, Bucks, and Celtics). New Orleans is currently tied for 8th in the West with the Dallas Mavericks. Houston only trails the Pels by three games in the loss column, and could cut that number to two with a win tonight.

Zion Williamson is questionable for tonight’s matchup, and it’s sounding like he will end up sitting out with a bone contusion. Regardless of his absence, New Orleans still has plenty of weapons to give Houston trouble. Brandon Ingram seems to always play at a superstar-level against the Rockets. The same can be said for guard C.J. McCollum. This duo will be the focal point of Houston’s defense tonight. Jonas Valanciunas could cause trouble in the paint with his massive size and rebounding ability. Alperen Sengun has another challenge on his hands tonight, but The Wizard should be up to the task.

The Rockets are 2-0 so far against the Pelicans this season, with a win coming in Houston and in New Orleans earlier this season. The final match between this teams is on February 22nd in The Big Easy. For now, the Rockets will try and stay perfect against a Pelicans team they’ve performed well against this season. Tari Eason is still out for Houston, but everyone else is seemingly ready to give it a go. Comparable to Monday, the Rockets need to get off to a fast start… and they should be able to be victorious on the second leg of this home-stand.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

New Orleans Pelicans (26-21):  Navy

Houston Rockets (22-24):  White

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Romp Lakers, 135-119, En Route to Dominant Win

Track Stars.    Intensity Surge.    Better Together.

Cam Whitmore turned this game into a track meet near the end of the first quarter. And the Lakers couldn’t run with the Rockets, as Houston ousted L.A., 135-119, on Monday night. Whitmore scored all 12 points to fuel a 12-2 run to end the first period that essentially broke the game open for the Rockets. Houston would lead by as many as 30 points. The Lakers went on a run late to cut the lead to 10, but that’s as close as they would get to topping the Rockets on this night. Dillon Brooks once again got in the head of LeBron James, causing a late flop by King James, which resulted in LeBron calling for Brooks to be ejected. The refs were smart enough to realize Brooks didn’t make a dirty play. L.A.’s forward Jarred Vanderbilt was ejected in the first half for getting into a scuffle with Brooks. He poked Brooks, pleading for a reaction from “The Villain.” However, Brooks just laughed as the officials tossed Vanderbilt from the game. Houston out-hustled and out-played the Lakers on Monday night, and the Rockets’ swagger irritated LeBron and co., who are desperately trying to stay in playoff contention.

Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green led the offensive charge for the Rockets against the Lakers. Sengun recorded 31 points, 12 boards, and 7 assists in another All-Star caliber performance. Green had arguably his best game of the season. Jalen scored a season-high 34 points on a very efficient 12-for-23 shooting from the floor, including an improved 4-for-10 from beyond the arc. Cam Whitmore produced 20 points off the bench in only 18 minutes of action. There seems to be something out Cam’s play that has brought out the best in Green. Jalen’s recent intensity surge may be tied to Whitmore threatening Green’s spot for playing time. Whatever is motivating Green, it’s been a relief to watch for Rockets fans, as Green was mired in the worst slump of his career earlier this season. Green has scored 29 or more points in three of his last four games, and he’s grabbed 32 rebounds over the past three contests, unheard of numbers on the glass for Jalen. On Monday night Green had a career-high 12 rebounds. Jabari Smith Jr. scored 18 points and grabbed 9 boards, and Dillon Brooks added 17 points, as the Rockets used a balanced attack to down the Lakers. On a rare night, Fred VanVleet failed to make a shot, but he did manage to dish out 14 assists, as the veteran doesn’t need to score to be productive on the court.

Houston simply used more energy and hustle to beat the L.A. The Rockets out-rebounded the Lakers by 10 on the offensive glass, and scored 13 more second-chance points than L.A. Up next, Houston hosts the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. The Pels are a few games ahead of the Rockets, and Houston can continue striving on their goal of sneaking into the Play-In by taking down New Orleans on Wednesday night.