Month: November 2024

Familiar Foes:  Rockets Host Spurs to Close Home-Stand

Act 3.    CPD.    Texas-Sized Showdown.   

 

Them again. The Rockets close their home-stand as they meet the San Antonio Spurs for the third time in this season’s first eight games. These squads won’t meet again until February 26th, for the final meeting of the season. So far, the clubs split two games in San Antonio. Both matches were close, and featured the Jekyll and Hyde Rockets. Tonight, Houston will try to win wire-to-wire against a Spurs team that simply isn’t as good as these Rockets. San Antonio is 2-2 since these teams last met, and the Spurs are coming off a loss to the Clippers after blowing a 26-point lead. Houston will be without Steven Adams tonight, and that’s not a good sign. The Rockets are 3-0 when Adams plays, and a struggling 1-3 when he’s not on the court. Expect another big outing from Alperen Sengun if the Rockets want to rack up another win tonight. Jalen Green played well in both San Antonio contests against the Spurs, and he’s due for a bounce-back game tonight after a couple of sub-par performances.

Chris Paul played well in previous meeting between these teams, and almost led the Spurs to a comeback win. Houston needs to execute great defense on the Point God, and prevent him form controlling the pace and flow of tonight’s game. San Antonio’s irritant, the Dennis Rodman-wannabe Jeremy Sochan, is out tonight with an injury. Which is good news for the Rockets as Sochan usually plays well against Houston. Expect to see more of the Rockets dynamic bench duo in Amen Thompson and Tari Eason. They’re intensity, energy, and defense are tops on this squad, and their style play is contagious. Houston is simply a much better team when this pair gets more playing time. Without Adams in the lineup, expect Coach Ime Udoka to dish out at least 25 min to his lethal bench duo tonight.

We’re only eight games into a long season, but tonight’s matchup is important for the Rockets tonight. Boasting a record of 4-3, Houston can continue to climb further above .500 with a victory against the Spurs, and it would give the Rockets a 2-1 edge in the season-series. Both games in San Antonio were close, and the Spurs are currently without their Head Coach, Gregg Popovich, due to a health issue. And despite losing their previous game, this young San Antonio squad is motivated to win for their coach, who apparently suffered a “serious” health issue, and there is some level of concern for his well-being. Not much more information has been released, but the Spurs are playing hard for their legendary coach. Expect another close nail-biter between these teams again tonight, as the Rockets try to close this home-stand with a victory.

 

Toyota Center: Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

San Antonio Spurs (3-4):  Black

Houston Rockets (4-3):  White

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Sengun Powers Rockets to 109-97 Victory Over Knicks

Return of the Wizard.    Undefeated Adams.    Winning Template.

 

He’s officially back. After a few subpar games, Alperen Sengun returned to the best version of himself on Monday night, leading the Rockets to a 109-97 victory over the New York Knicks. Also known on nights like these as “The Wizard”, Sengun finished with 25 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks on the night. This matchup was closer than the final score indicates. The Rockets held a 15-point lead in the first half, and almost let the Knicks storm back in the second half. Jalen Green hit a couple of clutch threes, but struggled throughout the game. Green scored 15 points on 5-for-15 shooting from the floor. Amen Thompson had 12 points and 9 boards off the bench, and Tari Eason brought his usual energy that doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet. Coach Ime Udoka is starting to utilize this dynamic duo off the bench more often, as their energy and defense is infectious, and exactly what this young Rockets team needs.

Fred VanVleet finally showed up to the party. After a dreadful start, FVV had his best game of the season against the Knicks. VanVleet registered 19 points and dished out 5 dimes in the victory. Reed Sheppard had the best game of his young NBA career. The rookie scored 7 points on 3-for-8 shooting, and grabbed 2 boards in a limited 14 minutes of action. Given Houston’s roster depth, it will be difficult for Sheppard to see consistent playing time, unless injuries occur. Regardless, on Monday night the sharpshooting rookie finally looked comfortable out on the court. And the Rockets now improved to 3-0 when Steven Adams plays. The Aussie center has missed four of Houston’s first seven games dealing with injury management, but his presence has been felt when he’s on the floor. The intangibles that Adams brings (defense, toughness, offensive rebounding) are hard to match with any big man in the entire league. It’s no surprise the Rockets are undefeated when Adams is in uniform. Expect the big man to be a huge contributor for Houston all season.

This win over New York is the closest the Rockets have had to playing four solid quarters in the same game. Sure, they let the Knicks back within a few points after leading by 15, but Houston managed to close this game, and made the final score appear misleading. This contest was very close in clutch time, yet this time, the Rockets were able to avoid any late-game collapses. It’s as close to a winning template for Houston as we’ve seen all season. Green needs to perform better, along with Jabari Smith Jr., but everyone contributed for the Rockets in this win. Up next, the Rockets are back in action on Wednesday night, as they close their home-stand against the San Antonio Spurs.

Rockets Aim to Bounce Back, Welcome Knicks to Town

New-Look Knicks.    Ready Steady.    Physical Uptick.

 

Jalen Green and the Rockets look to bounce back from a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Warriors in their previous outing, as they host the New York Knicks. Houston erased a 31-point deficit to force overtime, but ultimately came up short. Green had his worst performance of the season, scoring only 7 points. Look for the guard to bounce back tonight against a new-look New York Knicks squad.

New York made big waves in the offseason, trading Julius Randle for Karl-Anthony Towns. Both players are former All-Stars, and time will tell who won the deal. KAT is one of the best shooting big men in the league, and poses a huge perimeter threat. The Knicks also acquired Mikal Bridges, adding another former Villanova player to their ‘Nova Knicks team. Jalen Brunson remains one of the best guards in the game, and O.G. Anunoby and Josh Hart are two of the best hustle players in the league.

This is the second toughest team (behind Dallas) the Rockets have faced so far into this young season. Houston needs to put four solid quarters of basketball together if they want a chance to beat this tough New York squad. The Knicks boast a 3-2 record, with their lone losses coming to the defending champion Boston Celtics, and the still-undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers. Expect New York to give Houston a tough challenge on Monday night at Toyota Center. If the Rockets can’t remain steady they’re in for a world of hurt tonight. 

One player to keep an eye on in tonight’s contest is Alperen Sengun. Al-P’s been benched in the fourth quarter in several games, and he may be the key to a victory over the Knicks on Monday night. Sengun needs to up his physicality in this matchup. Considering Towns is a perimeter-oriented center, Sengun needs to attack Towns in the paint. KAT isn’t necessarily one of the toughest players in the NBA. This is Sengun’s chance to have a much-needed bounce-back performance for the Rockets. Will the Jekyll and Hyde Rockets show up again tonight? It’s been the case in every game so far this season. Led by the stern Tom Thibodeau at coach, the Knicks are a difficult team to mount a rally against. If Houston digs themselves another early hole they could be in trouble. But if the Rockets can stay within fighting distance into the fourth quarter, they should be able to get back on track in game two of this home-stand.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

New York Knicks (3-2):  Blue

Houston Rockets (3-3):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  7:45 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Furious Rally Falls Short in 127-121 OT Loss to Warriors

Deja Blues.    Jekyll and Hyde.    H-Town Heartbreak.

By the third quarter, some fans began to leave the arena at Toyota Center on Saturday night. Houston trailed by as many as 31 points in the second quarter, and the deficit remained in the 20’s for the majority of the next frame. But those fans missed out one incredible basketball game, despite a disappointing result for the home fans. Fueled by Tari Eason, who had the game of his life, the Rockets stormed all the way back, even gaining a one-point lead in several instances late in the fourth quarter. However, Eason and his teammates were gassed in extra time, as Houston managed only 2 points, shooting 1-for-12 from the floor in overtime. The result was a heartbreaking 127-121 OT loss for the Rockets. This defeat now marks the 14th straight time Houston has lost at the hands of the Warriors. Even without Stephen Curry, Golden State shot the lights out in the first half to build a huge lead. Eason and Amen Thompson both had their best games of the season off the bench for the Rockets. Eason scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Thompson supplied 18 points and 11 boards. And both players brought the intensity on the defensive end, which sparked Houston’s rally. The comeback would’ve been the biggest in franchise history had the Rockets pulled out the victory.

After five solid outings, Jalen Green had his worst game of the season, scoring only 7 points on 2-for-13 shooting. Green’s had a history of struggling against Golden State. Expect him to bounce back in Houston’s next contest. Alperen Sengun scored 14 points and snagged 10 rebounds, but the big man was once again benched in the fourth quarter, an early season trend that needs to change for the Rockets to reach their potential this year. Jabari Smith Jr. scored 21 points, and hit some big shots to help Houston send the game to overtime. After a slow start, Bari is rounding into form, but the Rockets need more from Sengun, and Fred VanVleet, who’s shooting woes continued on Saturday night.

Through six games this season, we’ve seen the Jekyll and Hyde Rockets. One half they play well, and the other they don’t. It’s happened in each game so far. Houston either falls behind early, and then mounts a huge comeback, or they build a big lead and let their opponent back in the contest. The results have been different in who comes out the victory, but the structure of each match has been relatively the same. Houston needs to play four solid quarters of basketball in the same game. If they can’t, this whiplash Jekyll and Hyde style of play is not going to result in a successful season. At best, the Rockets will finish around .500, same as last season, if they continue playing this way. Hopefully Houston can play a complete game for the first time this season, as they host the New York Knicks for a Monday-night matchup. New York will be the second toughest opponent the squad has faced all season, but they’re not unbeatable. Hopefully the Rockets can at least keep the fans in their seats come Monday night.

Rockets Return Home for Showdown with Warriors

Curry-Less Chance.    Momentum Game.    Protecting Court.

 

Fresh off their best win of the young season, the Rockets return home for a showdown against the Golden State Warriors. Houston beat Dallas on the road in their previous game, improving their record to 3-2 on the season. The Warriors are 4-1 this season, with their lone loss coming at the hands of the L.A. Clippers. The Warriors have had the Rockets number over the past several seasons, and no matter who’s on the roster, the Dubs always seem to play well against Houston.

Golden State will be without superstar Steph Curry tonight, as he’s missed their past two games with an injury. The Rockets need to seize this opportunity, and take advantage of a Curry-less Warriors squad. However, Golden State is 2-0 without Curry this season, so the proceedings won’t be easy on Saturday night. So how are the Warriors 4-1 with Curry missing two games? Well, Draymond Green is playing solid basketball. But the real difference makers have been guys like Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Buddy Hield has also given the Dubs a huge spark off the bench, along with Jonathan Kuminga. Even without Curry, the “Mouthguard God,” the Rockets still have their hands full defensively. Look for Dillon Brooks, Amen Thompson, and Tari Eason to provide huge defensive moments when facing this younger Warriors group.

Tonight’s matchup is a huge momentum game for Houston. Sitting at 3-2 in the standings, the Rockets can either improve to 4-2 with a win, or fall back to even .500 with a loss. It’s still very early in the campaign, but tonight’s matchup is crucial in determining Houston’s long-term success this season. Expect Jalen Green to continue his strong play, and look for bounce back performances from Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet tonight. The Rockets should win this game, especially at home. And while a victory over the Warriors isn’t the same as beating them without Curry, at this point it doesn’t matter, a win is a win. And Houston needs as many W’s as possible as they begin their long playoff push entering game number six of this long season.

This contest marks the beginning of a three-game homestead for the Rockets. Houston will host the New York Knicks on Monday, following a matchup with the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. After a disappointing Opening Night loss at home to the woeful Charlotte Hornets, the Rockets need to protect home-court during this upcoming stretch. They beat the Memphis Grizzlies in the second game of the season for their lone win at Toyota Center so far. The best teams in the NBA protect their home court. Houston can afford to lose a few games on then road. But the Rockets need to win their home matchups against beatable opponents… starting with tonight’s showdown with the Golden State Warriors.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Golden State Warriors (4-1):  Blue

Houston Rockets (3-2):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Green Halloween:  Rockets Evade Scary Collapse, Topple Mavs, 108-102, to Close Road Trip

Nightmare Killers.    Containment Company.    The First.

The festivities in Dallas almost turned nightmarish for the Rockets on Halloween night. Houston was coasting in the third quarter, leading by as many as 23 points late in the period. The Mavericks stormed back in the final frame, cutting the Rockets lead to 3, 103-100, with a minute remaining in the contest. Led once again by Jalen Green, Houston fended-off a furious Dallas rally en route to a 108-102 victory. This win is by far the squad’s most impressive of the young season by far. Despite the proceedings turning close in clutch time, the Rockets led this game wire-to-wire, as they never trailed. Green scored 11 of his team-high 23 points in the final period, showing once again he’s taken his game to another level this season.

Just as it seemed Green was on the verge of having an average night, he crashed the Mavs comeback plans in the fourth quarter, taking the game over and sealing the win for the Rockets. Alperen Sengun added 17 points and 12 boards. Dillon Brooks chipped in 17 points in another solid performance. And Tari Eason and Amen Thompson fueled Houston’s bench, as the pair combined for 25 points to boost the reserves. Fred VanVleet struggle once again, scoring only 4 points on 2-for-13 shooting. We’re still only five games into the season and FVV is a ten-year veteran in this league. Rockets fans shouldn’t be worried. Expect VanVleet to turn things around on Houston’s upcoming three-game home-stand.

Defensively, the Rockets were outstanding in this contest, especially in the first half. Houston held Dallas to only 44 points before halftime. And they contained the Mavs’ deadly duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving from exploding for huge performances. Granted, Doncic scored 29, and Irving added 28, but the Rockets prevented either superstar from reaching the 30-point plateau. And besides Doncic and Irving, Klay Thompson was the only Maverick to score in double-figures, as the usual Rocket-killer in the past only had 12 points in this matchup. In his Golden State Warriors days, Thompson usually scored at least 20 points against Houston, with 30 or more being his usual routine. Holding Klay to only a dozen points on the scoreboard is an impressive feat for this young Rockets team on the defensive end.

As in their last game, a win over the Spurs in San Antonio in similar rally-killing fashion, Houston struggled offensively in the fourth quarter. The Rockets scored only 20 points in their latest win over the Mavs, and managed only 19 points in their previous victory in San Antonio. Beating the defending champion Western Conference champs in the Mavs is certainly Houston’s best win on this young season. Their first “prove-it” win of the season to the rest of the league. Hopefully the first of many to come. With wins like Thursday in Dallas, the Rockets will only boost their reputation as a team you don’t want to face on any given night. However, the squad has still yet to play four solid quarters in a single game all season. They’ll aim to change that, as they head home for a three-game home-stand coming up.

After finishing 2-1 on their Texas road trip, Houston will now return to Toyota Center for a three game stretch, beginning Saturday night with a showdown against the Golden State Warriors. The home-stand also brings matchups against the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, the latter being a familiar face for the Rockets in this early season. The opportunity arises for Houston to climb the standings in the Western Conference if they can protect home-court, and avoid any defeats similar to Opening Night’s nightmarish loss to the Charlotte Hornets.