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Rockets Spoil Harden’s Houston Return, Stun Nets 114-104, for 7th Consecutive Win

EG Liftoff.    Defensive Workshop.    Perfect Birthday.

James Harden was back in Houston on Wednesday night, playing basketball in the building where he earned plenty of victories over his career. But on this night, victory eluded the Beard, as the Rockets topped the Nets, 114-104, pushing their winning streak to seven games. Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge, who both decided to rest, were late scratches for Brooklyn. Regardless, the Rockets still beat one of the best road teams in the NBA, and earned a win over the Beard in this much-anticipated matchup. Houston came out ready to play from the opening tip, leading for most of the contest. Eric Gordon started the fuse for Houston, scoring 15 of his team-high 21 points in the opening frame. EG, who seems to never get ejected, was even tossed from the game in the second half, as emotions were flowing throughout the night.

Christian Wood had another double-double, posting 12 points and 15 boards. Armoni Brooks chipped in 14 points, and Garrison Matthews aka “Garry Bird” saved the day when the matchup became too close for comfort in crunch time. Matthews continues to thrive as a starter. Garry Bird scored 19 points, and had some crucial plays late in the game. Matthews hit a few big threes to keep the Rockets ahead, and played stellar defense on Harden in the fourth quarter. Houston as a unit put on a defensive workshop on Wednesday night. The squad held one of the best offensive juggernauts to under 40% shooting, and kept Brooklyn well below their scoring average. The Rockets did an excellent job containing Harden, holding the Beard to a quiet 25 points.

On his 20th birthday, Josh Christopher had by far the best game of his NBA career. The rookie scored a career-high 18 points, including a dazzling 4-for-4 from long range. Christopher didn’t miss a shot, from the field or the free-throw line, and hit some key buckets late in the game for Houston. Sure, this game could’ve had a different outcome had Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge played, but the Rockets are still without Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green, so both squads were essentially short-handed.

Houston’s now won an incredible 7 straight games after losing 15 consecutive, a remarkable, and historic feat. The competition doesn’t get any easier for the Rockets, as the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks stride into town on Friday night. Houston will need to play even better against a Bucks team that’s beginning to round back into title form after a slow start to the season. Giannis Antetokounmpo smells blood and is a unique force, especially in the transitional game. If the Rockets want to pull off another upset, they’ll have to earn it with team effort on defense, just as they displayed against the former face of the franchise in Wednesday night’s trimming of the Nets.

Rockets Face Nets in Showdown, Harden Returns to a Houston Full House

Boss Level.    From the Alamo to Brooklyn.    How Sweet It Is.

“Hey are you like that guy, the one from Taken, who has a particular set of skills?,” a side character asks the lead role in 2021’s criminally overlooked Mel Gibson time-travel thriller, Boss Level. And as the Rockets still grasp the NBA’s longest winning streak, that guy, the one who had a particular set of skills for over 8 years as the lead role in Houston, James Harden, returns to the city, hell-bent on ending his former’s team’s winning streak. The Rockets host the Nets in what is is season’s biggest game at Toyota Center. These young Houston players have shown resilience throughout their winning streak. It’s hard to win six games in a row in this league. Despite the fairly easy schedule over the past games, the Rockets still took care of business. And that’s easier said than done against any team in the NBA. On Wednesday night, Houston is facing as tough an opponent as they’ll encounter all season. The Beard makes his return, and despite his slow start to this season in Brooklyn, expect him to have a big night for the Nets. Due to the coronavirus, it’s Harden’s his first game back in H-Town with a capacity crowd as the setting since he left Houston in disappointing fashion near the start of last season. The Rockets will rely on Jae’Sean Tate, and anyone who can somewhat contain a Beard-led outburst. The problem for Houston is Brooklyn, despite being without Kyrie Irving so far this season, still boasts arguably the most talent on any roster in the league.

Harden isn’t even the best player on his own team. That would be Kevin Durant, whom many people believe is the best player in the world right now. KD usually plays well again Houston, but Durant usually plays well against everyone, so that’s not saying much. KD and Harden will be a handful for this young Rockets team. If this was a video game, tonight’s battle is the Boss Level for Houston. After winning six in a row against  mainly inferior competition, the Rockets now face two of the best offensive players to ever play the game. Houston is still without Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green. Everyone needs to step up for the Rockets, and steal Harden’s spotlight.

Besides Brooklyn’s deadly duo, the Nets also have several players who have specialized in being “Rocket-killers” over their careers. Most notably, two former San Antonio Spurs, LaMarcus Aldridge and Patty Mills, who seem to play like future Hall-of-Famers any time they suit up against Houston. Obviously, all eyes will be on Harden and Durant tonight. But don’t be shocked one bit if Aldridge or Mills explodes for a 25-point night. Or even both of them. The Nets also have several injuries, so both former Spurs are starting for Brooklyn tonight. Eric Gordon, who’s admitted he’s pumped up himself for Harden’s return, will need to have a savvy big game if the Rockets want to pull off the upset. Houston also needs Christian Wood, Garrison Matthews, Jae’Sean Tate, and anyone who plays tonight to leave it all on the floor. These Nets are elite, and they don’t lost to teams they’re supposed to beat. In other words, Brooklyn doesn’t beat itself, as opposed to Rockets, who have done so countless times this season. Houston has to punch the Nets in the mouth (or Beard), if they want to keep the winning streak alive.

Who could’ve imagined this? After starting 1-16, no one thought Houston would go on a winning streak, let alone win six games in a row. And now standing in the way of win number seven is the guy wearing number seven, who spent the majority of his career carrying the Rockets in Houston. Only to leave in disappointing fashion about a year ago. The players may say there’s no bad blood between these squads, but that’s false. The Rockets want to beat Harden just as bad as he wants to put on a nostalgic show of nightmares in front of Houston’s fans. How sweet it would be if the Rockets could pull off the upset, and extend the streak. Show Harden Houston was never that bad, and his departure was premature. But that’s all in the past. Tonight’s squarely about the present. Some possible silver-lining entering this matchup, if there’s any for the Rockets coming into this showdown, are two key factors. First, the idea of rest in a load-management league: last night, the Nets won a tough road game in Dallas, 102-99, rallying from a 17-point deficit to beat the Mavs. On the other hand, Houston has had two days off since their last win on Sunday. Hopefully the Rockets won’t show any signs of rust, but if they do, they’ll have a booming legion of fans supporting them in the background. That’s the second factor that could play into Houston’s favor. The Rockets are home, playing in front of their fans. And if there was ever a night where the crowd is going to be rocking at Toyota Center, it’s tonight. He’s back in town. That guy they call “the Beard”… the one with a particular set of streak-ending skills.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Brooklyn Nets (17-7):  Gray

Houston Rockets (7-16):  Red

 

TV:  7 PM CT  – AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Fend Off Pelicans, 118-108, Earn Sixth Straight Win

Mental Toughness.    Garry Bird.    Rough Sledding Ahead.

The rims were kind to Houston once again, as the Rockets beat the Pelicans on Sunday night, 118-108, for their sixth straight win. With the victory, the Rockets became the first team in NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL history to win 6 straight games after losing 15 in a row. Once again, Houston took advantage of a beatable opponent, in New Orleans, and basically led for the duration of the contest. Christian Wood scored 23 points and grabbed 13 boards to lead the way for the Rockets, who are still awaiting the return of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green from injuries. The ever-consistent Eric Gordon added 23 points as well to ensure Houston had enough scoring without two of their key playmakers. EG and Jae’Sean Tate combined to dish out half of the team’s 24 assists on the night. And the Rockets withstood a dominant performance from Brandon Ingrams, who had one of the quietest 40-point nights in NBA-history.

Garrison Matthews, also known as “Garry Bird” to some Houstonians, continues his renaissance year since being called up from the G-League. Matthews scored 13 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and accounted for too much hustle to calculate. Lipscomb University’s GOAT is relishing in the starting role he earned. With the return of Green and KPJ, will Matthews still be a starter? It’s hard not to give the guy minutes. At the least, he should be one of the first players off the bench when the squad’s back to full strength. And Alperen Sengun, who is already one of the greatest per-minute producers the league has ever seen, once again dazzled in only 17 minutes of action. The 19-year-old rookie registered 10 points and 4 rebounds on Sunday. Once Sengun receives his opportunity, it should be fun to see what he can accomplish with starter-level minutes.

The easy part is now over for Houston. Two more home games remain on the slate before the team hits the road, but the these final two home games will be a couple of contests against two of the league’s best. First, James Harden and the Brooklyn Nets return to Houston on Wednesday. And then the defending-champion Milwaukee Bucks come to town on Friday night. The Rockets will probably still be without Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. for these matchups, making the challenge even tougher.

The good news is, Houston will be playing at home. And Wednesday will mark the first time Harden’s returned to H-Town to play in front of a capacity crowd. The atmosphere should be as comparable to a playoff game as it will get for the young Rockets this season. But the fans should be rocking, always a great advantage for team’s role players when they play at home. If Houston can maintain the mental toughness they’ve shown throughout this winning streak, they have a chance to push the streak further than most could imagine. Keeping the winning streak alive isn’t impossible. One thing that is for sure… the nets won’t be as kind to the Rockets as they ride into this tough part of the schedule.

Rockets Shoot For Six in a Row as Pelicans Fly into Town

Hottest Team.    Scooting Up.    Final Opportunity.

The Houston Rockets are the hottest team in basketball. I didn’t think I’d get to say that all season, but Houston currently holds the NBA’s longest winning streak, at 5 games. And the streak’s on the line tonight as the Rockets face the New Orleans Pelicans for the first time this season. With a win, Houston could move up one spot, and pass New Orleans in the standings. However, these birds have been playing well lately. The Pelicans have won four of their last six games, and their recent schedule hasn’t been the cakewalk which the Rockets have experienced lately. The New Orleans wins has been over the Wizards, Jazz, Clippers, Mavericks… all expected to be in the playoffs when Spring is in the air. The Pels are still without Zion Williamson, who hasn’t played all season due to injury. Reports say he’s nearing a return, but it won’t be tonight in Houston. Jalen Green remains out for the Rockets, and Kevin Porter Jr. will also miss Sunday’s game with a thigh injury. Scoot’s attempted to play through the injury the past two games, but it’s become re-aggravated. Houston has two days off after their matchup with the Pelicans, giving KPJ a chance to possibly return on Wednesday.

For now, more Rockets will have to step up. Porter Jr. is Houston’s main playmaker. In his absence, the Rockets will rely on others to scoot up to playmaking duties. These include the usual suspects, guys like Jae’Sean Tate, Garrison Matthews, Christian Wood, and Eric Gordon. The quartet have carried the Rockets through this winning streak. They’ll need additional help this evening against a New Orleans team starting to find its groove. That means Armoni Brooks, who has thrived in extra minutes, KJ Martin, D.J. Augustin, Josh Christopher, and Daniel House need to step up. Alperen Sengun should also receive more chances to show why he deserves a starting role on this team. The Pelicans best player is Brandon Ingram, but newly acquired Jonas Valanciunas and Devonte’ Graham are having solid years in their first seasons with New Orleans. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Josh Hart, Willy Hernangomez. and Garrett Temple are other players who could potentially impact tonight’s game. Houston should have enough momentum and talent to win tonight, but they need to keep passing the ball at a high rate and avoid costly turnovers. The Rockets’ free throw shooting has slowly improved over this win streak, along with their assist-to-turnover ratio. If Houston can say efficient in these two areas, they should beat the Pelicans tonight, and keep their win streak alive.

Not to peer too far into the future, but tonight might be Houston’s last chance to add to their winning streak. New Orleans won’t be easy to beat regardless, but the schedule toughens up after tonight. The Rockets host James Harden and the Nets on Wednesday, and then on Friday night, the defending champs, the Milwaukee Bucks, come to town. So essentially, two of the best teams in basketball, and two of the toughest tests of the season, are next on Houston’s slate. The Rockets have played like a different team since the winning streak began. This Pelicans team is much better than their 7-18 record implies. If everyone on Houston’s roster isn’t ready to scoot up to a bigger role, the Rockets’ tough times could begin earlier than anticipated. Once again, at least, Houston has the home crowd on their side tonight. And for now… they’re still the hottest team in basketball.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

New Orleans Pelicans (7-18):  Red

Houston Rockets (6-16):  White

 

TV:  6 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Gordon’s Late Heroics Lift Rockets Past Magic, 118-116

Last Second Streaking.    Deja Boo.    Moving Up.

Houston’s winning streak came within mere seconds of ending on Friday night, but Eric Gordon drove to the lane and hit a running floater with 1.6 seconds remaining, breaking a 116-116 tie, and giving Houston the lead for good. Cole Anthony, who led the Magic with 26 points, had a great look from deep to win the game, but it clanked off the back iron. As a result, the Rockets came out victorious for the fifth straight game, narrowly surviving Orlando’s rally to win, 118-116. Houston held their biggest lead of the game in the fourth quarter, 114-101, but the Magic came all the way back to tie it up, giving their best player a great look to win it, but the Rockets got lucky in the end. It was as if the weight of this winning streak started to wear on Houston’s young squad. Luckily, the Rockets still have some veterans. The old man on the team, Eric Gordon, had his best game of the season. Gordon took over in the fourth quarter, and hit the go-ahead bucket for Houston. EG scored a season-high 24 points on 10-for-14 shooting to lead the Rockets. Christian Wood had another monster double-double, with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Wood dominated the third period, scoring 16 points in the frame. Jae’Sean Tate chipped in 15 points and grabbed 7 boards. Garrison Matthews continued his stretch of double-digit scoring as a starter, now averaging 17.4 points a night when he suits up with the first lineup. Despite a slow start to the game, Matthews had a strong fourth quarter. “Gritty Garrison” scored 10 of his 16 points in the final period, and hit some big shots to keep the Magic at bay. Alperen Sengun registered 13 points, 5 assists, and  3 rebounds in only 19 minutes. The Turkish rookie is having a stellar season in limited playing time, but to those watching closely, it’s evident his minutes won’t be limited for long. 

Unfortunately, for the second straight game, Kevin Porter Jr. left the game with the same thigh injury that’s been bothering him for some time now. Scoot will be held out of Houston’s next game on Sunday, in hopes he can fully recover. KPJ had another solid performance in limited minutes, scoring 8 points and dishing out 6 assists in only 18 minutes of action. After Sunday’s game, the Rockets don’t play again until Wednesday. So KPJ, Jalen Green, and others will have more time to recover, and hopefully be back on the court sooner than later.

And all of a sudden, as of this moment, the Houston Rockets are owners of the NBA’s longest current winning streak, at five games. It’s the first time in history a team has won 5 games in a row after losing 15 straight. Ever since the lineup adjustments, Houston’s looked like a different team. They even moved up one spot in the standings, from 15th to 14th, owing the tiebreaker with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Not that it means anything, but the NBA has never had a season like this. We’re now over a quarter of the way into the season, and only three teams in the West have records above .500. I know it sounds silly, but the Rockets are only 3 losses behind Portland for the final play-in berth. The playoffs never seemed to be on this team’s horizon, and they probably are still a few years away, but if Houston keeps playing hard, anything is possible this season. After the toughest early-season schedule in the NBA, the Rockets are currently taking advantage of the easiest portion of their season. Other than the Chicago Bulls (the Hornets have regressed since the Rockets beat them), Houston still has yet to beat a worthy opponent. Nonetheless, wins are hard to come by in the NBA regardless of the opponent. The Rockets have another chance to add a win to their streak as the lowly Pelicans come to town on Sunday. However, New Orleans has played well of late, and it should be the toughest game Houston’s played since the Rockets broke their losing streak.

Rockets Aim for 5th Straight Win, Return Home to Host Magic

Five-Win Battle.    Second-Edition Surprises.    Opportunity Knocks.

After winning their first road game in impressive comeback fashion, the Rockets return to Houston where opportunity knocks. Winners of four straight, the Rockets play their next four games at home, where the squad is 4-5, as opposed to a torrid 1-11 record away from Toyota Center. Houston hosts the Orlando Magic on Friday night, in a battle of five-win teams, and an opportunity for the Rockets to win their fifth straight contest. Both of these squads ended miserable droughts in their previous games. After starting 0-11 away from Toyota Center, the Rockets finally got their first road win in OKC. And Orlando snapped a seven-game losing streak with a fashionable come-from-behind victory of their own, besting the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. Both teams are shorthanded tonight, as the Magic will be without Jalen Suggs, the fifth overall pick in the draft. The Rockets are still without Jalen Green, the second player selected amongst rookies. And Houston could possibly be without Kevin Porter Jr. and Christian Wood as well. KPJ re-aggravated his left thigh, and will likely be out with a thigh contusion. Wood rolled his ankle in the previous game, but the Rockets are listing him as probable for Friday night’s matchup.

When the schedule was released, this game featured two of the top five rookies, in terms of draft order. However both Jalens, Green and Suggs, won’t play tonight. Instead, viewers will get a look at two rookies who are making an impact sooner than expected. Houston’s Alperen Sengun has thrived in nearly every minute of action. Once he gets more playing time, Sengun has the potential to be the best player in the entire draft class. Yes… he’s that special. Orlando’s Franz Wagner has been arguably the best rookie for the Magic so far this season. Wagner’s been more consistent than Suggs, showing a knack to fill up the stat sheet in many areas.

Orlando’s most dangerous player is guard Cole Anthony. The Rockets will try to contain him on the perimeter with the defense of Jae’Sean Tate, Garrison Matthews and others. Center Mo Bamba is having a breakout season for the Magic. Wood (if able to play), Sengun, and possibly Daniel Theis will be called on to keep Orlando’s big man off the glass. And Wendell Carter Jr. is quietly playing well over his past few games. Don’t be surprised if he has a big game tonight.

Ignore the records, this game won’t be as easy as it looks. After their most seemingly exhaustive game of the season, it’ll be interesting to see how the Rockets approach this contest. It’s another rare matchup where Houston is actually the favorite. But if they resort to bad habits like turnovers, they could be in trouble against the Magic. Both teams are coming off impressive wins. The Rockets have seemed to turn a page since the win streak started. Another winnable game is on the horizon tonight. A win pushes the streak to five games for Houston… the Rockets have to take advantage of this magical opportunity.

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Orlando Magic (5-18):  White

Houston Rockets (5-16):  Navy “City Edition”

 

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Tate the Great:  Short-Handed Rockets Rally to Top Thunder, 114-110

Tate Takeover.    Bonafide Shooters.    Scoot Back.

“A great man doesn’t seek to lead. He’s called to it.” A quote from the epic film Dune that resonates with Houston’s resurrection on the road Wednesday night. Short-handed, and trailing by double-digits in the final period, Houston rallied for an impressive 114-110 victory, their first road win of the season. The Rockets showed more resiliency tonight than in any game this season. It’s the first time this season Houston’s won a game when trailing entering the fourth quarter. The Rockets scored 41 points on a blistering 69% shooting in the final period to pull off the comeback. They lost arguably their two best players, Christian Wood and Kevin Porter Jr., to injuries. Both guys left the court in the first half and didn’t return. No Wood, no Porter Jr., and no Jalen Green. So how on Earth did the Rockets come back to win their fourth consecutive game? Well, with their two leading scorers out, someone had to lead the way. And that someone was Jae’Sean Tate. A guy who never seeks to make it on SportsCenter, but instead makes the winning play time after time again. Houston’s energizer-bunny doesn’t garner the attention of players like Wood, KPJ, or Jalen Green from the national media, but he’s just as crucial to the Rockets success. And Tate had the game of his life on Wednesday night. He scored a career-high 32 points on a potently efficient 11-for-15 shooting night. Tate also supplied 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and a whopping 5 blocks, an incredible feat for a player who stands at 6’4. A stat-line accomplished by only 7 players in NBA history, all Hall-of-Famers. Tate was hot from the start, and fueled Houston’s comeback, scoring 13 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter. But if you know Jae’Sean Tate, he has the capacity for performances like this. 

Tate has always played with a chip on his shoulder. Number Eight for the Rockets went undrafted in 2018. Afterwards, Tate did what many players do in his situation, and went to play overseas. Tate first travelled to Belgium and played for the Antwerp Giants, and then made a trip to Australia, one of the more competitive pro leagues in the world outside of the NBA. While down under, Tate was the go-to-guy and main option for the Sydney Kings. He came into the NBA as a rookie last season ready, one of the bigger surprises for Houston. And this year, Tate’s only improved his skills and efficiency. In my opinion, he’s the best “role player” in the NBA. Even if his shot’s not falling, Tate plays so hard every night that he finds a way to impact the game. And Wednesday night was Jae’Sean’s Show, and he sure didn’t disappoint.

The Rockets had other players step up as well. Daniel Theis saw his first playing time since the winning streak began, stepping up once Wood went down with an injury. Theis, who coach Stephen Silas has called the “definition of a pro,” grabbed 9 boards, along with 2 assists and a block in 21 minutes, helping secure the paint area defensively for Houston. Armoni Brooks scored 18 points, hitting 7 of his 10 shots, including some big ones late. Garrison Matthews continues to play well in a starting-role. More importantly, he doesn’t lose confidence. After missing his first three shots from distance, Matthews nailed his final four threes, registering 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting. Brooks and Matthews are pure bonafide shooters. The duo does more than just knocking down the open three. These two can get their shot off against any defense and still make a solid attempt, as opposed to catch-and-shoot players, or guys who need shots in rhythm. The more space Houston creates with their passing, combined with driving the ball to the basket, equals more looks for Brooks and Matthews on the perimeter. Alperen Sengun dazzled once again limited minutes. Al-P dished out 4 assists, scored 5 points, and also blocked two shots in only 13 mintues of action. At only 19 years old, he’s the best passer on Houston’s team, and Rocket shooters will benefit from Sengun’s amazing court awareness. Kenyon Martin Jr. scored 12 points, and Josh Christopher chipped in 10 points in his best game of the season. Kevin Porter Jr. looked poised for a big night before he left with an injury. Scoot scored 10 points, hitting 3 of his 5 attempts from distance. Porter Jr. also finished with 2 rebounds, an assist and two steals in only 13 minutes.Hopefully Scoot’s injury isn’t too serious, but KPJ’s been bothered by a thigh bruise injury. He missed the three games before the Rockets’ winning streak began, and Houston can only pray he recovers quickly. His absence, along with Wood’s, are both huge punches to the gut for this young Rocket squad. The severity of Wood’s injury is also unknown at the moment. At the moment, neither seem to be too severe. 

The Rockets now scoots back to Houston for four more home games. This contest in Oklahoma City was the lone road game during this stretch which Houston is playing seven of eight games at home. And the Rockets took care of business. Can they keep their winning streak, now at four games, alive back at Toyota Center? This latest victory made the Rockets the first team in NBA history to win 4 games in a row after a 15-game losing streak. They’ll need to play hard, very comparable to their performance tonight, especially if the squad is still short-handed. And if Porter Jr. and Wood remain out… at least the Rockets know who’ll answer the call to lead.

Rockets Hit the Road, Battle Thunder in Rematch

Closeout Game.    One For the Road.    Escaping the Mirage.

After a strong finish to the month of November, the Houston Rockets aim to keep their winning ways rolling into December. And to start the month, the Rockets travel to Oklahoma City to finish their season-series with the Thunder. These two teams are no strangers to each other. Tonight’s tilt is a rematch from Monday’s game, in which Houston came out victorious, 102-89. The Rockets lead the season-series 2-1, but both wins came in Houston. The squad is still searching for their first road win of the season. And tonight, against a team they’ve already beaten twice, is the perfect opportunity. The Rockets are riding a Garrison Matthews-fueled wave of momentum. During Houston’s three-game winning streak, Matthews is averaging 17 points a contest while draining more than half his shot attempts, most of them coming from deep range. However, for Matthews, catch coach Stephen Silas’ attention started with his defense. “Gritty Garrison” has shown a keen ability to draw charges with the best in the NBA, and his hustle is not a temporary characteristic. Matthews plays hard on every possession, similar to Jae’Sean Tate. And the Rockets will certainly need Matthews’ defense tonight. The Thunder won the previous contest between these two rivals in OKC, 101-89. Expect OKC to undoubtedly have a better shooting performance than they showed on Monday night. The friendly confines of one’s home arena tend to boost the spirits of a team, especially its role players. Matthews, Tate, and other Houston defenders have to close out on the perimeter shooters tonight, or the Rockets will still be searching for a road win.

Houston is currently in the midst of a home-heavy stretch in the schedule, but tonight is the lone pit stop. After Wednesday’s matchup in OKC, the Rockets return home for four more home games. The squad would desperately love to get a win on the road. After close-calls in Denver and Los Angeles earlier this season, Houston is more than capable of beating this lottery-bound Thunder team to earn their first road win. Along with Garrison Matthews, Christian Wood has been on a tear as of late. Three games ago he set a career-mark for assists (6), two games ago he scored a career-high 33 points, and last game Wood grabbed a career-best 21 rebounds. Kevin Porter Jr. has also been playing at a steadier pace, resulting in more efficient play and less turnovers from Houston’s point guard. The Rockets are still without Jalen Green, but it shouldn’t matter tonight. Stephen Silas has found his rotation, and Houston should have enough motivation to outplay the Thunder on Wednesday.

This game is critically important, at least to Houston’s confidence. In the NBA, winning on the road isn’t easy. Period. At home, Houston is 4-5, which isn’t bad for a team with record of 4-16. However, the Rockets’ young group have yet to win in a hostile environment, with an embarrassing 0-11 record away from Toyota Center to start to season. Winning on the road builds character, confidence, and togetherness. All factors the Rockets are working to instill in their young core as they navigate the long, treacherous 82-game NBA season. Expect Houston to be motivated to keep their winning streak alive, and take the season-series against OKC. Even if the Rockets win their next four games (all at home), if Houston can’t win tonight, they’ll still be the only team in the league without a road win. Were the three latest wins in Houston just a mirage? Or can the Rockets prove they can adapt to succeed in different environments? Every other squad in the NBA has at least two road wins. After tonight, Houston’s next chance to play on the road isn’t until December 11th. It’s time for the Rockets to show they can lift-off outside of Houston… and escape the mirage.

 

Paycom Center:  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (4-16):  Black

Oklahoma City Thunder (6-14):  White

 

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Storm Past Thunder, 102-89, for Third Straight Win

Career Night.    Franklin’s Finest.    Finding Rhythm.

How rapidly a scenario can evolve with a quick return home. The Rockets put on  a stellar show during their return to Houston. The squad closed their three-game home stand with a perfect 3-0 record after their victory over the Thunder, 102-89, on Monday night. It was one of the more comfortable wins of the season, as Houston controlled the game from the opening tip.

Christian Wood continued to play at all All-Star caliber level, and recorded yet another monstrous double-double. Wood scored 24 points, grabbed a career-high 21 boards, and also blocked 3 shots for good measure. It was also a career night for Kevin Porter Jr., who has transformed into a more patient and consistent player since returning from injury. Scoot, with the help of some teammates late in the game, recorded his first career triple-double. KPJ finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 dimes on the night. On a night when the Rockets’ leading distributor couldn’t find his shooting rhythm, Porter Jr. still found ways to make a huge impact on the game. Jae’ Sean Tate remains Houston’s rock of efficiency. Tate registered 15 points, 6 boards, and 8 assists, and the usual level of hustle he brings to every matchup. And Aleperen Sengun, who seems to have the “Wow” moment of the night every game for the Rockets, once again flourished in limited minutes. Sengun only played 17 minutes of action, but the Turkish rookie still made his impact felt on the opposition. Sengun suppled 4 points, 3 boards, 4 dimes, and 1 steal. He also had arguably the play of the game, a monstrous posterizing dunk, showcasing his athletic ability. And then there’s Garrison Matthews, suddenly, and seeming out of nowhere, is making a name for himself and carving out a permanent role on this team. Matthews scored 19 points in another efficient shooting night as he’s proving to be one of Houston’s most lethal shooters from deep.

A few weeks ago, Matthews didn’t have an NBA job. Most people had never heard of the guy. Matthews was born in Franklin, Tennessee, and attended Lipscomb University in Nashville. Now, he’s shown he deserves to be a permanent part of the Rockets’ rotation. In each of the last three games, Matthews has seen more than 20 minutes of court action. And Franklin’s Finest has made the most of that playing time. Matthews has scored 51 points on 57% shooting from the floor, including a scoring 50% from beyond the arc. Houston always needs reliable three-point shooters, and Matthews has become one their most reliable. His defense can’t be overlooked either. Mathews is one of the best in the NBA at taking charges, and his hustle and effort rivals that of the Rockets Energizer Bunny himself, Jae’Sean Tate. Houston’s found a  real gem in Matthews, who played on the squad’s G-League team earlier this season before coming up to the professional level. It will be interesting to see the effect Jalen Green’s return will have on Matthews. Hopefully, it won’t affect the performance from Franklin’s Finest. Matthews has been one of the main reasons the Rockets are riding a three-game winning streak.

After losing 15 straight games, Houston has now won 3 consecutive matches. The Rockets hope their momentum travels with them, as they make a quick pit-stop on the road in Oklahoma City in their next game. It’ll be the final game against the Thunder this season for Houston. And then the Rockets return home for four more games. The squad is now 4-5 at home, but have yet to win on the road, where they’re a dismal 0-11. Houston is finding rhythm at the right time, and have now beaten this Thunder team twice by double-digits. A road game in the NBA’s a completely different beast than a home contest, but the Rockets have a solid chance to finally end their losing skid on the road. Up next, these two teams will close out their season series Wednesday night in Oklahoma City… where the Rockets will look to continue evolving on the right path.

Rockets Aim for Third Straight Win, Welcome Thunder

First of Two.    Opposite Directions.    Upper Edge.

After going winless for an entire month, the Houston Rockets are now riding a two-game winning streak, seemingly out of nowhere. On Monday night, they host the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first of a two-game set between these rivals that will determine the season series. The final matchup is Wednesday night in Oklahoma City. But first, Houston looks to close out their three-game home-stand with perfection, by beating the Thunder once again. The Rockets won the first matchup, 124-91, on October 24th in Houston’s home opener. OKC took the second game at home, 101-89, back on November 17th. Now, with the series tied at one apiece, both squads will look to gain the upper edge tonight.

A lot has changed since the last time these two teams clashed. The Rockets and Thunder are moving in opposite directions. Houston not only ended their losing streak, but switched gears, and are now riding a two-game winning streak. And the last time the Rockets and Thunder met, was also the last time OKC won a game. The Thunder find themselves sliding in the wrong direction, and will try and break out of a 5-game losing streak tonight. Houston hopes to keep their momentum going, and build on their winning streak, and recent success at home. This closes out a three-game home-stand for the Rockets, and a win tonight would make them a perfect 3-0 over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Jalen Green remains out for Houston with a left hamstring injury. Kevin Porter Jr. has flourished, along with the bench, during this brief winning streak. The Rockets will need KPJ and a solid all-around team effort if they want to take the upper edge in this series tonight.

Houston will also rely heavily on Christian Wood, who is arguably the Rockets best player right now. Wood is averaging a double-double this season, registering 16.4 points and 11.3 rebounds a contest. The scary part for the Rockets is that news circled this afternoon that Houston will be “entertaining” trade offers for Wood. Hopefully, this doesn’t affect his play on the court. It should only motivate Wood to play harder and stronger. One can only pray the Rockets don’t trade away Wood. The idea is to get more minutes for Alperen Sengun, who looks to be Houston’s big-man of the future. Sengun’s numbers-per-minute are off the charts for a 19-year old rookie. I think the two play great alongside each other, and there’s no need to rush into trading away their best player at the moment. Wood has even complemented Sengun’s passing ability and court-awareness several times. Obviously the absence of Daniel Theis, combined with the increased minutes for Sengun over the last two games aren’t to be dismissed as factoring into Houston’s winning streak. We’ll see what direction Coach Stephen Silas opts to head in tonight, as Sengun only saw five minutes of action in the Rockets’ last meeting with the Thunder.

Regardless, this is a game Houston is more than capable of winning tonight. The Rockets have already beaten this Thunder team at home, granted it was over a month ago. Still, Houston is riding a wave of momentum, and the team’s shown tremendous growth over their past two resilient victories. The group’s bonded and moved towards playing as a team on the court. Expect a close game tonight, but the Rockets should keep riding their winning streak, especially if they continue playing with a “sense” of togetherness.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Oklahoma City Thunder (6-13):  White

Houston Rockets (3-16):  Black

 

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass