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Rockets Falter Late in Orlando, Drop 8th Straight in 119-111 Loss to Magic

Strong Start, Slow Finish.    Big Problems.    Breaking Through.

It initially appeared that the Rockets would snap their seven game losing streak in Orlando. Houston raced out to a 17-3 early lead against the Magic, but the Rockets fizzled late, as Orlando took control of the second quarter, and the game, en route to a 119-111 loss for the Rockets, their eighth consecutive defeat. The Magic outscored Houston 31-18 in the second quarter, and while the Rockets made it a completive outing, they never could regain the early stranglehold they had on Orlando in the first period. 

The Magic were simply too big for the Rockets in the interior. Chuma Okeke had the game of his life, scoring a career-high 26 points and grabbing 9 boards off the bench. Wendell Carter Jr. also posed problems for Houston in the post. Carter finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds for Orlando. Christian Wood had another double-double for the Rockets, registering 21 points and 11 boards, but it wasn’t enough against this oversized Magic squad.

Houston’s now lost eight games in a row. One good sign amidst all the struggles has been the play of Jalen Green. After an inconsistent first two-thirds of the season, Green has found his stride over the past handful of games. Green led the Rockets in scoring with 23 points, and a career-high 4 steals. Most importantly, Green’s shooting has continued to improve. Green shot 9-for-16 from the floor on Friday, including 4-for-9 from distance. It appears the All-Star break allowed the game to slow down for Houston’s rookie. Green will make a push for rookie of the year over the final 23 games, but if the Rockets keep losing games, he won’t have much of a chance to win the award. Luckily for Houston, 15 of their 23 remaining games are at home, including three home games in four days starting Sunday. Houston will play the Clippers twice, the last team they saw before the All-Star break. And while the previous meeting may make the rematch appear one-sided… a return home may be all the Rockets need to finally secure a victory.

Rockets Head to Orlando for Matchup with Magic

Stretch Run.    More Than a Chance.    Starting Strong.

The Houston Rockets are back in action tonight for the first time in over a week. After an All-Star break which hopefully saw the players get plenty of rest and reinvigoration, the Rockets are ready for the NBA’s stretch run. Houston has 24 games remaining, but only 9 are on the road, including tonight’s matchup in Orlando.

The Rockets are currently in the midst of a seven-game losing streak, and they’ll look to end that against a Magic team with a worse record than Houston. Jalen Green was Houston’s most efficient player entering the break. Hopefully the rookie picks up where he left off. He’ll be facing fellow Slam-Dunk participant Cole Anthony, who’s having a breakout season for Orlando. Losers of four straight games, the Magic are a very beatable opponent for Houston. If the Rockets can play hard and get off to a strong start, they have a chance to produce some magic of their own in Orlando.

Both teams may show some rust due to the long break, but whoever plays harder and wins the hustle game will take tonight’s outcome. Franz Wagner, Mo Bamba, Wendell Carter Jr., and Jalen Suggs will be the key players Houston need to contain on defense, including Anthony. The Rockets are healthy and should have plenty of hungry players eager to end their losing skid. Hopefully the squad can start the final stretch run of the season with a victory.

 

Amway Center:  Orlando, Florida

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (15-43):  White

Orlando Magic (13-47):  Blue

 

Tip-Off:  6 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Hit Early in 142-111 Beatdown by Clippers

Break Time.    Reset Period.    Perfect Timing.

Houston got obliterated by the Los Angeles Clippers, 142-111, in the final game before the NBA’s All-Star Break. The Clippers raced out to an early 17-point lead, and Houston never recovered. Jalen Green scored 21 points to lead the Rockets, one of the few bright signs for Houston in this contest.

The squad will now get a full week of rest before their next game, next Friday in Orlando. Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Jae’Sean Tate will take part in some of the festivities in Cleveland.

As for most teams, now is the perfect time for a break for this Rockets squad. Houston has now lost their last seven games entering the break. They’ll look to start a new chapter and finish the season strong as they take on a weaker opponent in their first game back, the Orlando Magic.

Rockets Duel with Clippers in Final Game Before Break

Competing Victims.    On the Floor.    Follow the Leader.

Houston squares off against the Los Angeles Clippers for the first time this season on Thursday night. Tonight’s game marks the final match before the All-Star Break for both squads. Ironically, both teams are coming off losses to the Suns in their previous games. And both matchups were closely contested.

The Rockets have to leave it all on the floor tonight if they want to snap their six game losing skid, and snag one more win before the league’s intermission. Houston will likely get Christian Wood back tonight, but Kevin Porter Jr. is expected to remain out with an illness. Which once again means more minutes for Dennis Schroder, who was a revelation in only his second game as a Rocket.

The keys matchup tonight to focus on will be the starting point guard matchup. The veterans Dennis Schroder and Reggie Jackson will go toe-to-toe, and whoever has a better game, will likely be the key to victory tonight for the Rockets or Clippers. If Schroder can pick up where he left off last night, Houston has a good chance to slide their own upset story into Hollywood before the NBA’s annual intermission begins.

 

Crypto.com Arena:  Los Angeles, California

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (15-42):  Red

Los Angeles Clippers (29-31):  Black

 

Tip-Off:  9:30 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Burned Late in Phoenix, Suffer Tough 124-121 Loss to Suns

Dennis the Menace.    Whistle While You Work.    No Paul, No Problem.

“We’ve never had fun like that before,” several Houston players said to the newest member of the squad, Dennis Schroder, after Wednesday night’s 124-121 loss to Phoenix. Despite the losing effort, the Rockets played one of their best games of the season, taking the best team in the league all the way down to the wire. Eric Gordon missed a game-tying potential three as the horn sounded, and the Suns escaped with a 3-point victory to extend their winning streak to 7 games. In only his second game as a Rocket, Schroder make a huge impact on the game and his teammates. Starting in place of Kevin Porter Jr., Schroder was the best Houston player all night. Attacking the Phoenix, and encouraging his teammates as a player-coach while he was on the bench. Granted, Christian Wood didn’t play as well, so that opened up more opportunities for Schroder, who excelled as floor general for the Rockets. The veteran leadership he instilled in Wednesday’s loss is something this young Houston team hasn’t experienced before. Unfortunately, the Rockets couldn’t pull off the upset, but they got promising returns from Schroder in only his second game with the franchise.

Alperen Sengun had arguably his best game of the season as well. Starting in place of Wood, Sengun had a monstrous 19-point, 14-rebound double-double, and was proficient from long range. Jae’Sean Tate scored 22 points and exemplified his role as the team’s versatile Swiss Army Knife. Jalen Green added 17 points as he gears up for the All-Star festivities in Cleveland this weekend. Looking at the final results, Houston played one of their best games of the season, but fell short to arguably the best team in the NBA, and a squad in the Suns that has a legitimate chance to win the title this season. Ironically enough, Chris Paul, who was ejected early in the third quarter, seemed to turn the tide of the contest. The Rockets were in control with CP3 on the court, building an 8-point halftime lead. However, once Paul was ejected (for making contact with an official), the Suns switched to a zone, and put Houston’s offense in fits. 

Overall, it was a questionably-called game by the officials. From the opening tip the refs where ready too whistle while they worked, and up to the CP3 ejection, many calls in this matchup were eye-brow raising. Sure, Paul’s reputation with the refs as an instigator certainly initiated the officials’ quick trigger, but any other player, and that’s likely only a technical foul. Regardless, the Rockets might’ve been better off had CP3 remained in the contest, but that’s a story for another day. Devin Booker scored 24 points, and DeAndre Ayton added 23 points to ensure Phoenix kept their winning streak alive. Houston will get Christian Wood back tomorrow night as they wrap up their final game before the All-Star break in their first matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers… and hopefully another installment of four fun quarters.

Rockets Aim for a Miracle, Visit Phoenix to Face Suns

Death Valley.    Composed Composers.    First of Two.

Houston rides a five-game losing streak into the NBA’s version of Death Valley, Footprint Center, where the Rockets will battle the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. After starting the season neck-and-neck with the Warriors for the NBA’s best record, the Suns have distanced themselves since Houston last saw Chris Paul and company. Phoenix has had two separate double-digit winning streaks this season, and along with Golden State, have the best home record in the league. Saying tonight’s opponent for Houston is tough is a giant understatement. Especially given the current predicaments of the league as everyone approaches intermission.

It’s difficult to stay composed and focused with a rare vacation on the horizon for players who rarely get more than a two or three days off to spend time with family during the regular season. These guys are human beings. Even though LeBron James, The Greek Freak, and certain players may appear robotic to onlookers, everyone in the league is human. And whether you’re heading to Cleveland for your first All-Star appearance, or excited for that extra vacation time, it’s only human to be distracted at this moment in the NBA season. Only a few teams have the discipline to fight through these times, known as the “Dog Days” of the season. And one of those teams happens to be the Phoenix Suns. Phoenix is tied for the current longest winning streak (six games) in the West with Memphis and Utah. The Suns also played at home last night, beating the Clippers in a close game. Phoenix is one of the best clutch teams in the NBA, so even if the Rockets keep this game close, Houston could be in store for a late problem.

So, at least the Rockets have the rest advantage. But that’s about all favoring Houston’s side tonight as the squad faces CP3’s laser-focused Suns. And they won’t have that tomorrow, as tonight is the first of a back-to-back for the sqaud before the break. Kevin Porter Jr. is questionable with an illness, so the Rockets may be even more short-handed than usual. Which brings queasiness with the likes of CP3, Devin Booker, Mikal Birdges, DeAndre Ayton, and more. The Suns boast one of the deepest teams in the league, and they’re loaded with too many weapons for most opponents. If Houston can play hard, and with a sense of purpose, they have a chance. However, they haven’t shown that discipline during their current five-game skid. The Rockets also need to have a red-hot shooting night if they want any shot of pulling off the biggest upset of the NBA season.

 

Footprint Center:  Phoenix, Arizona

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (15-41):  White

Phoenix Suns (47-10):  Purple

 

Tip-Off:  8 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Jazz Blast Past Rockets, 135-101, as Focus Wanes

Silent Night.    Dwindling Attention.    The Grind Continues.

It was a a silent night, at least for the Rockets, in Salt Lake City on Monday evening. Houston got blown out by the Jazz, 135-101, for their fifth straight loss. Kevin Martin Jr., of all players, led the Rockets in scoring with 16 points, on a night when no one on Houston’s squad had a nice groove to their game. Donovan Mitchell score 30 points to lead the Jazz, who had seven different players score in double-figures. This game was never close, as Utah led by 12 points after the first quarter, and then stretched that lead to 25 at halftime.

As is the case for the majority of the league, it’s hard to maintain focus as the All-Star break approaches. Whether they’re attending the festivities in Cleveland, or going somewhere like Cabo, it’s hard to keep attention to detail, especially for younger players, as the league’s intermission approaches. Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Jae’Sean Tate will all be in the Rising Stars Game. Green’s also participating in the Slam Dunk Contest. Nonetheless, the Rockets have been victims of fatigue-inspired malaise over the past few games, and it won’t get any easier as the team wraps up the road trip with a tough back-to-back on the horizon.

Utah’s one of the hardest places to win a basketball game for a road team in this league. It only gets tougher for Houston, as they travel to Phoenix to take on the Suns, the NBA’s best team, in the first of a back-to-back. They’ll wrap up proceedings with a battle in Los Angeles against the Clippers on Thursday night before heading on break. Hopefully the Rockets can steal an upset, but at this point in the season, that would be extremely unlikely.

Rockets Travel to Utah for Matchup with Jazz

Rocky Road.    Three to Go.    Replicating the Past.

The Rockets begin a rocky stretch of the schedule on Monday night, as they start a three-game road trip in Salt Lake City, where the red-hot Jazz await. After hitting a mid-season wall, the Jazz have found their groove again, winners of their last five games. Rudy Gobert has been out for Utah but has a chance to return tonight.

Houston will try and replicate the past, as the Rockets beat the Jazz in Utah earlier this year, back on January 19th. So, it’s possible Houston can pull a Deja Vu. But given the current directions these two teams are headed in, a Rocket win tonight would be an unexpected surprise, as has been the case with nearly all of Houston’s victories.

Jalen Green and Kevin Porter have both picked up their level of play as of late. The Rockets’ backcourt will be a key ingredient in Houston pulling the upset in Utah tonight. After this contest, the Rockets have a back-to-back on Wednesday and Thursday before the All-Star break commences. Houston’s had three days off since they last played, Thursday of last week. If the Rockets are going to win another game before the NBA’s midseason break, tonight is the most apt opportunity… Houston’s young gunners are fresh, and need to take advantage of an older Jazz opponent.

 

Vivint Arena:  Salt Lake City, Utah

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (15-40):  Red

Utah Jazz (35-21):  White

 

Tip-Off:  8 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Romped by Raptors, 139-120, as Struggles Continue

Junior Night.    Nearing Extinction.    On the Road Again.

Houston led after the first quarter, but that’s as good as it would get for the home team. The Rockets were torched by the Raptors, who dealt Houston a 139-120 defeat on Thursday night. The Juniors for both squads excelled. Gary Trent Jr. exploded for a career-high 42 points to lead Toronto. Kevin Porter Jr. had his best game of the season with 30 points to lead the Rockets.

The loss is now Houston’s fourth in a row, and as we near the All-Star break, the Rockets are getting closer to having their playoffs hopes officially extinct for the season. Only three games remain before the break, all tough games on the road.

Houston will get a full three days of rest before their next game, Monday in Utah. Hopefully the squad can regroup and find that road glory from earlier in the season.

Rockets Host Raptors in Final Home Game Before All-Star Break

Red-Hot Dinos.    Home Farewell.    Search for Dominion.

Houston returns to Toyota Center for their final home game before the All-Star break. Awaiting them are the red-hot Toronto Raptors, winners of seven straight games. After a back-and-forth start, Toronto has moved up the standings in the crowded East. The Dinos have another top rookie from this year’s past draft class, Scottie Barnes, who was selected fourth. Barnes is quietly having an outstanding rookie season and looks to be a future All-Star in this league.

The Rockets aim to get one last victory at home before they head off on a three-game road trip out West after tonight’s contest. Houston is coming off back-to-back losses to the New Orleans Pelicans, and right now, the Rockets look like a team in need of a break. Houston’s search for dominion continues, as they struggle to put four quarters together.

Jalen Green and company will attempt to take advantage of a slightly undermanned Toronto team. The Raptors traded Goran Dragic to San Antonio earlier today, but the Dinos still have plenty of weapons to wreak havoc in Houston. The Rockets were quiet on deadline day. Houston dealt Daniel Theis back to Boston in exchange for point guard Dennis Schroder. Countering many predictions, Christian Wood and Eric Gordon weren’t dealt. In an unexpected move, the squad waved Armoni Brooks. So this is the squad Houston will be rolling with for the rest of the season. And like they’ve done all season, this Rockets team wins when people least expect. The Raptors, winners of seven in a row, roll into Toyota Center. No chance for Houston, right? Something tells me this game will be closer than people think. It’s the last home game for the Rockets for over two weeks, look for the squad to be ready to give the fans a show.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Toronto Raptors (30-23):  Red

Houston Rockets (15-39):  Navy “City Edition”

 

Tip-Off:  7 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass