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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.

Rockets Visit Heat to Begin Road-Trip

First of Five.    Stopping Herro Ball.    Three to Go.

Houston sets out on the road for the first of five games starting with a matchup against the Miami Heat tonight. The last time these teams squared off, Tyler Herro torched the Rockets for a career-high in scoring, and led the Heat to a close win in the final seconds. Just like in Houston’s previous game, a controversial loss to the Kings, their was controversy in the first matchup with Miami. An out-of-bounds call was incorrectly ruled in Miami’s favor with a couple of seconds remaining. The Rockets should have had the ball for one last chance to tie or win the game, but they never got the chance due to the refs. Houston will attempt to wash the bad taste of the previous game on Wednesday out of their mouths as they hit the road.

The Rockets need to do a better defensive job on Tyler Herro if they want any chance to upset the Heat tonight. Jimmy Butler is capable of having a big game on any night, but Herro is a more lethal threat from beyond the perimeter, as he displayed in the first matchup between these squads.

Counting tonight, Houston has only three games remaining before the All-Star Break. After tonight they’ll travel to Philly to play the 76ers on Monday, before flying to OKC to battle the Thunder in the final game before break. All three matchups are on the road and will be tough tests for Houston, but it would be nice to see the squad win at least one more game before the intermission.

Miami-Dade Arena: Miami, Florida

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (13-42): Black

Miami Heat (30-25): White

Tip-Off: 7:00 PM CT

TV: AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass

Rockets Collapse in Final Seconds, 130-128, as Kings Sweep Season Series

Royal Hosing.    Improper Sendoff.    On the Road Again.

In one of the worst calls of the entire NBA season, De’Aaron Fox, was able to somehow draw a foul on Eric Gordon in the final seconds. Replays clearly showed EG didn’t touch Fox, and no foul was anywhere to be seen. Unfortunately Stephen Silas had used his challenge, and the Rockets were at the mercy of the referees, who made sure that once again, Houston wouldn’t be in store for a victory. Fox nailed all three free throws, as the Kings snuck past the Rockets, 130-128, to deal Houston their fourth straight loss.

Jalen Green had one of his best games of his entire career, scoring 41 points on an efficient 14-for-22 shooting. Alperen Sengun fell one rebound shy of a triple-double, registering 18 points, 11 assists, and 9 boards on the night. And in his final game as a Rocket, Eric Gordon scored 9 points, and unfortunately his last moment was being called for the terrible foul call.

Gordon was dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers before the trade deadline. Bruno Fernando and Garrison Mathews were also traded, both to the Atlanta Hawks. Other than cap space and draft picks, the Rockets received Frank Kaminsky, after several other players, including former Rocket John Wall, were waived by Houston. Justin Holiday also request to be dealt to a different team, as the Rockets acquired him along with Kaminsky. For now, Houston’s roster doesn’t appear much different other than the absence of EG. Gordon had long been in trade rumor discussions, dating back even several seasons, so this comes as no surprise to Rockets fans. Houston will miss EG, he was the longest tenured Rocket, and the only player remaining from the 2017-2018 team that set the regular-season franchise win record, with 65, and fell one game short of making the NBA Finals.

The Rockets now hit the road for five straight games, with the All-Star break smashed in between. Houston will play three more road games before the break, then head back to Houston, Utah, or vacation. After the intermission, the Rockets start their post-All Star break schedule with two road games before finally returning home to Toyota Center in late February.

Rockets Aim for Different Result, Host Kings in Rematch

Part 2.    Last Chance.    Home Cooking.

The Rockets host the Kings on Wednesday night as these teams will meet for the second time in as many games. Sacramento won the previous matchup easily, 140-120, on Monday. Houston will try to beat the Kings for the first time all season, and this is their last chance, as this is the final meeting between the squads this season.

After tonight, the Rockets hit the road for five straight games, with the All-Star break meshed in between. Houston’s fans won’t get to see the team play for a few weeks after tonight, so the Rockets will try and give the hometown crowd their money’s worth in Wednesday’s rematch.

This game is also the final game before the trade deadline, so it could be the last game in Rocket uniform for several players. Eric Gordon’s name has been the most mentioned in the trade rumor mill, but other Houston players could be dealt as well. If it is EG’s final game for the Rockets, hopefully he ends his tenure here with a dominant performance, and leads Houston to a victory.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Sacramento Kings (30-23):  Black

Houston Rockets (13-41):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Suffer Royal Beatdown in 140-120 Loss to Kings

Chef Murray.    Defensive Letdown.    Back At It.

Sacramento’s sophomore Keegan Murray scored a career-high 30 points, as the Kings snapped their two-game skid, handing the Rockets a 140-120 loss on Monday night. Murray did his best Steph Curry impression, setting a rookie-record with 8 made threes in the contest. Jalen Green led the Rockets with 27 points on a solid 10-for-21 shooting from the floor. KJ Martin added 18 points and 8 boards as he continues to display excellent consistency with Houston having holes in their lineup. K-Mart has taken full advantage of the extra opportunities and playing time.

The Rockets have now given up a combined 293 points in their last two games, as their defense has been atrocious. Houston needs to find some consistent level of acceptability on the defensive end or they’re going to get torched on a nightly basis.

These two squads will square up right back in H-Town for a rematch on Wednesday night, similar to when these teams first met in Sacramento for two straight games. The Rockets will aim for a different result in the next matchup, and try to beat the Kings for the first time all season in their final chance on Wednesday.

Rockets Face Kings in First of Two Matchups at Toyota Center

Part 1.    Containing Fox.    Home Boost.

Houston hosts the Sacramento Kings on Monday night, in the first of two straight matchups between these teams. These squads will square off for a rematch on Wednesday night at Toyota Center. De’Aaron Fox is returning to the lineup after missing the previous two games for personal reasons. Hopefully, these “personal reasons” weren’t being snubbed from the All-Star team, as Fox was arguably the biggest snub from the Big Game. Look for Fox to potentially have an explosive night in his hometown in his first game since being snubbed from the All-Star team.

Both these teams are coming off 32 point losses. Sacramento was blown out last night in New Orleans. Houston suffered a blowout loss on Saturday night to the Thunder. Expect both teams to play better basketball on Monday night. The Rockets have fared better at home as of late, so hopefully a couple of home games can get the squad moving in the right direction heading into All-Star break.

This is the second-to-last home game for Houston before the break, as they’ll wrap pre-All Star festivities up at Toyota Center with a rematch against these Kings on Wednesday night. The Rockets can’t play any worse than they did in their ugly showing in OKC over the weekend. Expect, at the very least, a more completive game on Monday night, as Houston tries to dethrone the Kings for the first time all season.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

Jersey Colors:

Sacramento Kings (29-23):  White

Houston Rockets (13-40):  Black

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Blown Out in 153-121 Defeat to Thunder

Heavy Storm.    Third Time’s the Harm.    Bad Meets Ugly.

In what was essentially a non-competitive match from the opening tip, the Rockets suffered a 153-121 beatdown at the hands of the OKC Thunder on Saturday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bounced back with 42 points, after scoring only 24 in Wednesday’s matchup between these teams. Josh Christopher and Daishen Nix both scored a career-high 20 points apiece to lead the Rockets, but this was one of the ugliest games of the season for Houston.

The Rockets trailed by as many as 45 points, as this contest was never competitive. After beating OKC twice earlier this season, Houston found the road waters of Paycom Center more difficult to navigate than the friendly confines of Toyota Center.

Up next, the Rockets will now return home to face the Sacramento Kings for two matchups, the final games at Toyota Center before the All-Star Break. Houston plays the Kings first on Monday, and then on Wednesday, before heading back on a three-game road-trip before the All-Star break begins. Houston will be playing a tough, third-seeded Sacramento team, but it’s hard to imagine a worse result than Saturday night’s affair in OKC… so the only direction the Rockets can go from here is up.