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Mauling in Memphis: Grizzlies School Rockets, 136-102

Dirty Dozen.    Pushed Back.    Drawing Board.

The Rockets trailed by as many as 40 points, as they got routed by the Grizzlies, 136-102, in Memphis on Monday night. Houston never made the matchup competitive, trailing by 13 points after the first period, usually the squad’s best. Ja Morant led the Grizz with 22 points, and five other Memphis players chipped in with at least 12 points in their balanced attack. Jalen Green led the Rockets with 15 points, on a slightly improved 6-for-13 shooting, but the rookie still has a long way to go to live up to the hype. Jae’Sean Tate continues to be Houston’s most consistent player on both ends of the court. Tate supplied 14 points and 9 boards, and his usual energy for the squad. Too bad it’s not become infectious with his teammates. This was one of the uglier losses in Houston’s franchise-worst start to the season, and not how the Rockets wanted to begin their four-game road trip. Houston has now lost a dozen games in a row, as the losses are beginning to pile up.

Memphis’ defense did a solid job of pushing the Rockets offense back towards the perimeter. The Grizzlies kept Houston out of the lane, and forced the Rockets to take difficult shots from deep. Alperen Sengun continues to flourish in limited minutes. Sengun has shown an innate ability to pass the ball with skill, and his defense has come better than expected. The Turkish rookie scored 9 points and grabbed 5 boards in a limited 18 minutes of action in Houston’s latest loss. Should Sengun get the starting nod? Rockets coach Stephen Silas says tinkering with the starting lineup in the future could be possibility, and inserting Sengun into a starting role would really help the squad. Houston played with better spacing in the games Sengun started, and passed the ball more efficiently as a team.

The Rockets now are 1-13, by far the worst record in the NBA. And it doesn’t get any easier, with three more road games before returning to Houston. How can the squad snag a victory? Back to the drawing boad… changes in the starting lineup are essential, and the team has to play with more swagger, despite their record. It’s hard to play with confidence when you’ve lost this many games in a row, but the Rockets have to forget about their record, and work on improving their on-court chemistry. Stephen Silas and the squad need a victory soon, or they could end up on the wrong side in the history books. Houston’s best chance at a win comes on this road trip’s next stop, in Oklahoma City against the Thunder, the lone team the Rockets have beaten all season. Although OKC has improved since the home opener at Toyota Center, and Houston will need to improve on the fly if they want to end this losing streak soon.

Rockets Ride into Memphis Hoping to End the Blues

Worst Start Ever?    Ja’s World.    Building Blocks.

Houston strolls into Memphis on Monday night for a matchup with the Grizzlies. Ja Morant and Memphis have improved mightily over last season. The Grizz are currently 6-7 on the season, but they’ve struggled of late. Memphis has lost three straight games and four of their last five contests. The Rockets aim to add to the Grizzlies’ blues by notching their first road win on Monday night.

Ja Morant is off to his best season in his third year as a professional. Morant is averaging career-highs in all categories, and is one of the hardest players to contain on the offensive end. Houston has their hands full with Morant on Monday night. Also, look for Steven Adam to bruise elbows in the pain with the likes of Christian Wood, Alperen Sengun, and Daniel Theis.

It’s time for the Rockets to finally end their skid. Their 1-12 start is the worst in franchise history, and one of the worst beginnings to a season in NBA history. Jalen Green needs to find a way to make himself more assertive. If Green can drive the ball more, and keep his turnovers low, while staying away from bad attempts from three, the rookie should improve. Kevin Porter Jr. needs to do a better job at getting Green the ball so Jalen can find a rhythm. When asked if he would change the starting lineup on Monday night, Stephen Silas replied, “possibly.” And that’s the same attitude fans have going into tonight’s game. A win sure is possible, but Houston will need to alter their blueprint if they want to steal their first road win in Memphis.

 

FedExForum:  Memphis, Tennessee

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (1-12):  Red

Memphis Grizzlies (6-7):  Navy “City Edition”

 

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

Rockets Get Burned By Suns, 115-89, for 11th Straight Loss

Winless Homestand.    Searching for Answers.    Same Old Song.

The Rockets fell to the Suns, 115-89, losing their 11th consecutive game. The loss wraps up a winless homestand in Houston. It’s not only the worst start in franchise history, it’s one of the worst starts in NBA history. Houston stayed within reach in the first quarter, but trailed heavily the rest of the contest. The Rockets will try and end the skid in Memphis on Monday night as the team gets right back to work. It’s been the same old story, turnovers and missed free throws, that have been the downfall of the young squad so far this season.

Rockets Try to End the Skid, Host Red-Hot Suns

Reigning and Burning.    Streaking.    First Step.

Tonight, the Houston Rockets try and put an end to their 10-game losing streak. It won’t be easy, as the reigning Western Conference champs, the Phoenix Suns, roll into Houston. The Suns are red-hot, winners of seven in a row, and they look to make it eight as these squads meet for the second time this season. Phoenix won the first battle back on November 4th, 123-111, as a torrid third quarter by the Rockets put the game in the Suns’ favor for good. As these teams seem to be headed in opposite directions, Houston can’t let their record affect their performance. The Rockets will get better over time, and they outplayed Phoenix outside of the third quarter in the first matchup. Houston has a chance tonight, but they need to stay disciplined.

DeAndre Ayton is out with an injury for the Suns, so Christian Wood needs to take advantage of Frank Kaminsky, or whomever Phoenix garners to get the majority of Ayton’s minutes. Chris Paul won’t let the Suns beat themselves, a habit with which the Rockets have become obsessed. Houston keep shooting themselves in the foot, by missing free throws and turning the ball over. Until the Rockets clean these two aspects of their game up, it’s going to be difficult to win games.

Tonight is the first end of a back-to-back for Houston, who travels to Memphis to face the Grizzlies tomorrow night. Tip-off is slated slightly earlier than usual, at 6 P.M. local time, so the Rockets will have an extra hour before flying off on the road. It would be nice to end the skid at home. Hopefully the team finally shows the resilience needed to stay disciplined throughout the entire game… all four quarters… and they might have a chance.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Phoenix Suns (8-3):  White

Houston Rockets (1-11):  Black

 

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

Rockets Lose 10th Straight, Fall to Blazers 104-92

One for the Road.    Scoot Ball.    Nowhere but Up.

Damian Lillard scored 20 points, and C.J. McCollum added 17 points, as the Blazers dealt the Rockets their 10th straight loss on Friday night. Kevin Porter Jr. aka “Scoot”, score 18 points to lead Houston. KPJ’s play is quietly improving from game to game. However on this night, Scoot had little help from his teammates. Jalen Green again struggled shooting the ball, scoring only 9 points. Jae’Sean Tate, by and far the most consistent Houston player all season, chipped in with 14 points and 6 boards. This was the first road win all year for Portland, as the Blazers took advantage of the youth and inexperience haunting this Rockets’ team at the moment. Houston will only gain more experience, and they won’t be throwing three teenagers on the floor forever… these are the growing pains. It’s part of the cycle of professional sports. After being a contending team for 8 straight seasons, the Rockets, including last season, are trying to make the long, slow, climb back to the top.

KPJ stated that Lillard was one of his idols  growing up, and Dame said Scoot’s talent is “through the roof.” KPJ chipped in with 5 rebounds and assists apiece, and most importantly, committed only one turnover, a season-low for Scoot. Too bad the Rockets can’t get everyone firing on all cylinders in the same game. Houston will try to end the losing streak on Sunday, as they close out their three-game homestand against the Phoenix Suns.

After losing their tenth straight game, there’s no where to go but up for these Rockets. Sure, they might lose a few more games on this streak. But these guys are professionals, and sooner or later, the squad will squeak out a win. Houston continues to play hard, but struggles to play all four quarters. The Rockets need to learn how to close games if they want any chance against the defending Western Conference Champions on Sunday.

Rockets Desperate for a Win, Host Struggling Trail Blazers

City Debut.    Rocket Killer.    Desperation Time.

On Friday night, the Rockets will unveil their “City Edition” court and uniforms, as Houston plays host to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Rockets are coming off their most disappointing loss of season, falling to the Pistons at home on Wednesday. If Houston wants to end their 9-game losing streak, they need to focus a the free throw line and take care of the ball. The Rockets have been terrible from the foul line lately, and that’s unfortunate, because Houston is finding ways to get to the line. They just can’t knock them down. Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green have their hands full tonight, as they square off against one of the NBA’s best backcourts, Portland’s Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. Tonight will be a tougher test than Wednesday, as the Blazers are expected to make the playoffs. Portland usually gets off to rough starts, but this season is different. They have a new coach in Chauncey Billups, and Damian Lillard is off to a struggling start. Don’t be surprised if Dame finds his rhythm again tonight.

Lillard has been a Rocket-Killer over his career. From ending Houston’s season roughly five years ago in the playoffs, to countless big games and shots he’s had against the Rockets, Lillard seems to thrive playing against Houston. The squad needs to buckle down defensively to ensure the clock never hits “Dame Time” at Toyota Center. Hopefully, the Rockets can come out with a better second half, and specifically third quarter on Friday. Houston has struggled mightily coming out of the break. Also, Christian Wood needs more touches down the stretch than he’s seen in the past two games. Don’t forget about the big fella!

It’s desperation time. No one likes losing, let alone losing streaks. And with a loss tonight, the skid would hit double-digits: 10 losses in a row. If Houston wants to avoid another defeat, they need to come out firing and build a big lead. Lillard is bound is have a big game tonight, and the Rockets can’t afford to fall behind early against a desperate Portland team trying to get their season back on track. Other than the Blazers’ star backcourt, Jusuf Nurkic will pose problems for Christian Wood and Daneil Theis in the paint. Hopefully, we see a return of Alperen Sengun, who’s missed the last two games. The Rockets play more smoothly with Sengun on the floor. Regardless, containing Nurkic is key if Houston wants to finally win a game. The jerseys the Rockets will be wearing tonight are a nod to the throwback pinstripe era with a mix of the old signage. Hopefully the team channels better times, and breaks the losing streak with a win over Portland tonight… do it for the city.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Portland Trail Blazers (5-7):  Red

Houston Rockets (1-10):  Navy Blue “City Edition”

 

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Rockets Crater to Pistons in Disappointing 112-104 Loss

Missed Opportunity.    More Giveaways.    Biggest Lesson.

Jalen Green blew by Cade Cunningham late in the third quarter for a ferocious jam, squaring the game at 73 points apiece. Houston wouldn’t regain the lead, as the Pistons dealt the Rockets their worst loss of the season, 112-104. Houston knows they should’ve won this matchup. After a brutal road trip, a home meeting with Detroit was a gift. One the Rockets didn’t open properly. Jalen Green showed signs of brilliance, leading the squad with 23 points. Cunningham scored 20 for the Pistons, who had the best player on the floor, in Jerami Grant. One of the finalist’s for last year’s most improved player award put on a dominant performance. Grant scored 21 of his 35 points in the third quarter, which once again doomed the Rockets. Houston fell behind by as many as 14 points, 100-86. They stormed back to make it 104-103, but too many missed free throws prevented Houston from making the game more contested near the end. Jae’Sean Tate continues to be the most consistent player on the Rockets. Tate played his heart out as usual, finishing with 14 points, 8 boards, and too many hustle plays to count.

Christian Wood scored 20 points and grabbed 9 boards, but didn’t get touches down the stretch. Wood needs to be more assertive and demand the ball. The big fella makes an impact when given the chance. When the squad takes a few trips down the floor without letting Wood touch it, he loses rhythm and gets out of sync. The same can be said for Jalen Green. Kevin Porter Jr. and Green are still working out who gets to shoot it when, and other kinks as they share the backcourt. Houston had a season-low 13 turnovers, but 5 of those were committed by KPJ, who’s still struggling to take care of the ball. Turnovers and missed free throws have been the Rockets’ achilles heal all season. Tonight the squad missed a few key freebies down the stretch that would have given them a chance to win. And too many early second-chance opportunities on the boards for Detroit prevented Houston from building a big lead in the first half.

Well, it doesn’t get any easier than the Pistons at home. And Houston still blew the game. They’ve got two more home games in this three-game stretch to try and stop what’s becoming a long losing streak. The Rockets have now lost 9 consecutive games, and despite how close they were in some of those contests, this young team has to learn how to finish games. Houston was more than capable of beating this bad Pistons team, but their youth and inexperience squandered the chance. It’s the first game all season the Rockets lost as the favorites. If the group follows Jae’Sean Tate’s lead in the hustle department, the squad will get a win soon. Up next, Houston will try and upset the Portland Trail Blazers, who are off to shaky start, on Friday night at Toyota Center.

Rockets Host Pistons in Year’s Most Anticipated Matchup

Spotlight.    Remember Us?    Favorites.    

On Wednesday night, the spotlight is on Houston in the basketball world. For the first and only time this season, the Rockets play on national television tonight, as ESPN is airing this affair. Why? The top two picks from this year’s draft square-off for the first time. Jalen Green and the Rockets host the number one overall pick Cade Cunningham, and the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. Cunningham missed Detroit’s first four games due to injury, and has only played in four of the Pistons’ nine games overall. His shooting has been historically bad to start a career, but Cunningham has shown improvement in his last two games, combining to score 35 points. Jalen Green’s also been struggling to shoot the ball efficiently. Tonight’s contest is the most anticipated matchup for both of these young squads all season long in terms of media coverage. We’ll see who revels in the bright lights with the spotlight shining on Toyota Center tonight.

This game is being billed as the first matchup between #1 and #2 picks. And that advertisement isn’t wrong, but tonight’s contest is so much more than a meeting between top prospects. The Pistons had the chance to select Green, and they’ll always be the only team who thought he wasn’t “good enough.” Time will tell if Cunningham proves to be a better player, but in my opinion, and many others, Jalen Green has a higher ceiling. Detroit is also the same squad who opined that Christian Wood wasn’t good enough. Houston picked him up in free agency, and the rest is history. Sure, Wood’s struggled in recent games, but Christian is a double-double machine who was on par for last year’s Most-Improved Award before suffering a season-ending injury. And interestingly enough, Wood missed both games against Detroit last year, and hasn’t faced his former team since they ditched him. All the eyes might be on the rookies tonight, but don’t be surprised if Christian Wood steals the show with a monster performance. Wood apparently wasn’t “good enough” for the Pistons either. Tonight, Wood finally has the chance to show them up and close, they made a very poor decision.

Besides being a battle of top draft picks, tonight’s also a battle of one-win teams. A matchup of the league’s two worst teams record-wise, besides the New Orleans Pelicans, who are off to an embarrassing 1-10 start for that franchise. Records only spell so much ten games into an 82-game season. Houston’s schedule has been much tougher than Detroit’s so far. The Rockets have had two days to rest, and are playing at home for the first time in nearly two weeks. The Pistons have some talented youngsters: Jerami Grant, Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart, among others, but the Rockets have the more talented team overall. And Houston needs to take advantage with the spotlight on H-Town tonight. After being battle-tested, the Rockets should handle these Pistons easily. But in the NBA anything can happen, especially with two young teams. Expect an exciting game tonight at Toyota Center… one which the Rockets happen to be rare favorites.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Detroit Pistons (1-8):  Blue

Houston Rockets (1-9):  Red

 

TV:  6:30 PM  –  ESPN,  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Rockets Close Road Trip with 120-107 Loss to Warriors

Out of Gas.    Game of Runs.    The Deadly Third.

In their first backend of a back-to-back set, the Rockets fared better than expected. Houston didn’t get blown out by 30, but the squad ran out of gas in a 120-107 loss to the Warriors. The defeat in San Francisco caps a five-game road trip for the Rockets, by far their hardest trip of the season schedule-wise. Look at the standings, all those teams, even some Houston has played at home (the Utah Jazz) are near the top of the standings in the West. These first ten games have been cruel to the Rockets to start the young season, but the schedule will ease up a bit as the year moves on. Christian Wood struggled for Houston, scoring on 4 points while being hounded by Golden State’s Draymond Green. Jae’Sean Tate had another stellar game, leading the Rockets with 21 points and 14 boards. Jalen Green continues to struggle shooting the ball. The rookie finished with only 9 points on 4-for-12 shooting, including a dismal 1-for-6 from long range. Kevin Porter Jr. scored an underwhelming 11 points, but did supply 7 assists, as KPJ struggles to learn the reigns of the point guard position. Daniel Theis keeps playing well since returning from injury. Theis scored 14 points and grabbed 5 boards. And Alperen Sengun, in only 16 minutes of action, continues to be a revelation on both ends of the court. Sengun finished with 12 points (on 3-of-4 shooting), 5 rebounds, an assist, and a block. Hopefully Stephen Silas will give Sengun more playing time in the future. The rookie has proven with his early play he’s worthy of more court time.

Steph Curry had 20 points for the Warriors, but this game, unlike many Golden State wins, wasn’t about Curry. Houston’s latest lost came primarily at the hands of two men: Jordan Poole and Otto Porter Jr. In the first quarter, Jordan Poole did his best Klay Thompson impersonation, scoring 15 of his team-leading 25 points in the period. And Otto Porter Jr. broke up a close game near the end of the first half, turning it into a double-digit deficit by knocking down three consecutive shots from deep. Otto finished with 15 points on 5-for-7 shooting from downtown, along with 9 boards for the Warriors.

Despite trailing 69-61 at halftime, the Rockets narrowed the deficit to 3 points near the middle of the third quarter, trailing 83-80. However, the Warriors steamrolled Houston for a 15-0 run late in the period to make it a 98-80 deficit for the Rockets. A lead Houston would never come close to overcoming. After a five-game road-trip, and the backend of a back-to-back, the squad’s fatigue became evident in the fourth quarter. The benches emptied, and guys got some much-need rest.The third quarter continues to be the downfall of this Rockets’ team, among other factors. Houston got outscored 34-22 by the Warriors in the third period on Sunday. And overall, the Rockets have lost the third quarter in every game this season except their lone win over the Thunder, and in a loss to the Jazz that was already out of hand. Houston needs to figure out a way to come out of the break with the resilience to finish all four quarters, or they’re going to continue to shoot themselves in the foot.

Well, the hardest part is over for the Rockets. That’s the good news. The bad news is their still 1-9, and despite going for a high lottery pick again in this year’s draft with no playoffs in sight, it would be nice to see the squad get a few wins on the board. Jalen Green and company get the perfect opportunity as they return home to start a three-game home-stand. The first matchup features the #1 overall pick Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons, one of only two teams with as many losses as Houston. Hopefully, the squad will take advantage against an easier opponent on Wednesday after experiencing the NBA’s version of murderer’s row these past couple weeks.

Rockets Battle Warriors in Final Game of Road Trip

Back at It.    Best in the West?    Continue the Blueprint.

Houston’s five-game road trip finally comes to an end tonight with a matchup against the Golden State Warriors. This is the first time this young team is playing the day after a game. Eric Gordon is out with an injury, and Danuel House Jr. remains out for the Rockets as well. The squad left it all on the court in a heartbreaking loss to the Nuggets yesterday, 95-94. We’ll see what energy this young group can muster, and how they bounce back, against one of the best teams in this early NBA season. The squad was noticeably frustrated after yesterday’s loss. Hopefully they can brush it off and return to making strides on the court. The Rockets and Warriors were once upon a time the league’s hottest rivalry, but those days are long gone. Houston now plays David to Golden State’s Goliath.

We’re not even ten games into the season, but it doesn’t take a basketball savant to realize this Warriors team is good. And they’re still waiting on the return of their second-best player, Klay Thompson, who missed all of last season with an ACL-injury. Nonetheless, Golden State hasn’t missed a beat without Klay to start this season. Steph Curry is getting MVP-chatter again, and the Warriors are off to a 7-1 start, tied with the Utah Jazz for best record in the West. And Golden State’s lone loss came in overtime, against the Memphis Grizzlies. Andre Iguodala is resting tonight, with tonight being the first of a back-to-back for the Dubs, as the Warriors play tomorrow against the Atlanta Hawks. Tonight will be a great test for Houston’s young backcourt, Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green, who are both coming off rough games. The Rockets need their backcourt of the future to bounce back if they want any chance of pulling off the NBA’s biggest upset of this young season.

This is going to be arguably the toughest game of this road trip, under difficult circumstances, with the Rockets coming off a heartbreaking loss only yesterday. Houston needs to continue the blueprint of playing hard and improving with each game, regardless of the outcome. The squad is getting better, and they’ve grown leaps and bounds over this road-trip. With a few tough losses already under their belt, it’d be nice to see the Rockets finally get a win before returning home. However, don’t count on it. Houston’s sixth man Eric Gordon, who’s been playing extremely well is out tonight with a groin injury. Which means we’ll see more combinations of different players in Stephen Silas’ rotation. Everyone will likely get a chance to see some court action tonight. It’s a big opportunity for a lot of players on this Rockets team to show their value. And at the end of a long road trip, with two days off after tonight, Houston would love to upset the Warriors. All good teams have let-downs, and with the Rockets’ record, that could play in Houston’s favor tonight if Golden State comes out with a lackadaisical mindset.

 

Chase Center:  San Francisco, California

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (1-8):  White

Golden State Warriors (7-1):  Blue “Classic Edition”

 

TV:  7:30 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW