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Rockets Race Past Lakers 139-130, in OT Thriller

The Rookie Game.    LeHelpless.    Home Cooking.

There’s always a different feeling in the air when LeBron James is in the building. And on Wednesday night, with one of the largest crowds of the season, Toyota Center was rocking. The Rockets fed off that energy en route to a thrilling 139-130 victory over the Lakers in overtime. Jalen Green had the best game of his young career. Green scored a career-high 32 points on an efficient 13-for-21 shooting, and was aggressive from the opening tip. Alperen Sengun also had his best outing in the NBA. Sengun played 40 minutes, and registered a dominant 21-point, 14-rebound double-double for the evening. Sengun complimented that effort with 2 blocks, 2 steals, and 2 assists for good measure. Josh Christopher had an excellent performance as well to round out Houston’s impressive rookie trio. Christopher scored 21 points, as the Rockets became  only the second team in NBA history to have 3 players aged 20 years or younger score at least 20 points in a game. Houston’s top 3 rookies combined for an impressive 74 points, more than half the team’s total scoring output.

It wasn’t just the rooks who showed up for the Rockets. The squad had 7 players score in double-figures, with 6 guys getting at least 15 points. K.J. Martin had another solid performance, scoring 17 points and grabbing an impressive 11 rebounds. K-Mart has quietly been consistently one of Houston’s best players since the All-Star break. Eric Gordon added 15 points, the highlight of which was a fake on LeBron James that sent the King in a circle searching for his crown, preceding an EG bucket from distance.

Only the winless Portland Trail Blazers have a worse record than the Los Angeles Lakers since the All-Star break. Despite getting 30 points from Russell Westbrook, LeBron James simply doesn’t have the requisite help needed in L.A. to get the job done and string wins together. You can’t blame Houston’s victory over the Lakers on LeBron. At age 37, James played 45 minutes, securing another triple-double in his storied career with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists. But it wasn’t enough. He passed up the potential game-winning layup at the end of regulation to an open Carmelo Anthony, who missed the shot. The rest was history, as the Rockets scored the first 13 points of overtime, sealing their second straight win at home. In the postgame interview, Green said Houston’s goal was to target Melo on defense and it worked. Green and the Rockets went at the future Hall-of-Famer, and were successful in the extra period.

Up next, Houston hosts their in-state rivals, the Dallas Mavericks, on Friday night. The Rockets have now won two straight games at Toyota Center, and haven’t lost in regulation at home in the past three times (that OT-loss to Utah still stings). Houston will look to keep the home momentum going as they’ll face a better Mavericks team than the Lakers squad they beat on Wednesday. But if the Rockets can keep that positive energy in the air at Toyota Center… they have a good chance to pull the upset on Friday night.

Rockets Host Lakers Back at Toyota Center

Helpless King.    Pile it On.    Home Momentum.

The Rockets host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. The Lake Show has had its fair share of problems all season. Injuries, chemistry, old players withering away…you name it, L.A.’s experienced it during this season of misery in Southern California. Houston will look to add to that misery by dealing the Lakers another loss tonight.

L.A. is in danger of missing the play-in game and playoffs entirely. Los Angeles currently sits in 9th place in the West. They’ve been carried, literally, by LeBron James all season. LBJ’s had one of the finest season’s of his storied career. Even at age 37, James is still the league’s most ferocious force in transition, and  the still the best player in the game when he’s 100% dialed in.

Houston is coming off a win in their last home game, an impressive victory over the upstart Memphis Grizzlies. And the home game before that, Houston lost a heartbreaker in overtime. So, the squad hasn’t lost in regulation at home in its last couple games. The Rockets will try and extend that streak to three tonight with a win over the Lakers.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Los Angeles Lakers (28-36):  Yellow

Houston Rockets (16-49):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  7 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Get Burned in South Beach, Fall to Heat 123-106

Miami Yikes.    Solidifying Duo.    Back Home.

The Rockets once again held the lead after the first quarter, but the Miami Heat’s discipline was on full display as the Heat powered past Houston, 123-106, on Monday night. Tyler Herro scored 31 points to lead Miami, and Jimmy Butler chipped in 21 points.

At least Houston’s backcourt continues to play well. Kevin Porter Jr. scored 22 points, and Jalen Green had another 20-point performance to his resume. Green’s started to consistently put efficient scoring nights together. Next season, look for Green to blast off from the start, and expect him to put on some weight in the offseason.

Up next, the Rockets return home for two games against probable Western Conference playoff teams: the Lakers and Mavs. Houston hosts the Lakes on Wednesday, and then the Mavs on Friday before heading off the on the road again for a matchup Sunday in New Orleans.

Rockets Head to Miami For Matchup with East-Leading Heat

Beasts of the East.    South Beach Silver Lining.    Necessary Baggage.

Houston battles the best team in the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat, as the Rockets look to build on their victory last night over the Grizzlies. Miami is playing superb basketball of late, as the Heat are winners of six of their last seven games. Houston has also lost four of the previous five meetings with Miami, as the Rockets will try and change that trend in South Beach on Monday night.

Usually, as was notably the case with James Harden-led Houston teams, most squads have distractions playing in Miami due the popular nightlife. Luckily for the Rockets, they played the night before in Houston, and fortunately didn’t have the time to revel in South Beach’s popular reputation for a hot-spot for professional athletes in their down-time. It’s still the second of a back-to-back for the Rockets, and the Heat play hard every night, to complement their vast array of talent. Jimmy Butler leads the way, and he appears to be in the lineup tonight despite seemingly missing every-other game this season. Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Duncan Robinson are the other key players Houston needs to focus on if they want to pull off the huge upset tonight.

The Rockets are coming off one of their best games of the season, an impressive comeback win over the West’s second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. Can Houston carry that necessary baggage that comes with an emotional win, and channel that energy into productive play on the court? In a hostile South Beach environment? Other than their seven-game winning streak earlier this season, the Rockets have struggled immensely putting two wins together. Houston has yet to win the second half of a back-to-back all season. The squad will try and buck that habit, while keeping the trend of playing spoiler in South Beach tonight.

 

FTX Arena:  Miami, Florida

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (16-48):  White

Miami Heat (43-22):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  6:30 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Surge Past Grizzlies, 123-112, End Losing Streak

Trio of the Future.    Tale of Two Halves.    18 Remaining.

Houston trailed by as many as 14 points to the team with the second-best record in the NBA, the Memphis Grizzlies. However, the Rockets rallied to shock the Grizz, 123-112, behind a dominant second-half performance. Houston was able to hold Memphis superstar Ja Morant in check, holding the MVP-candidate to 22 points. The Rockets “Big Three” of Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, and Christian Wood combined for a monstrous 81 points as they powered Houston’s comeback after halftime over the Grizzlies. KPJ scored 19 of his 29 in the third quarter. Christian Wood had 28 points and 13 rebounds in what coach Stephen Silas called his best game of the season. And Jalen Green is finally, consistently, looking like a potential Rookie of the Year candidate, and future superstar in this league. Green scored 24 points, to go along with 8 boards and 4 dimes.

After trailing by 10 points at halftime, the Rockets outscored Memphis by 21 points in the second half en route to their comeback victory. The win ends Houston’s twelve-game losing streak, and hopefully the last lengthy skid of this season. Up next the Rockets will travel to South Beach on Monday night to take on the Heat in the second night of a back-to-back.

Only 18 games remain, and the schedule isn’t particularly easy for Houston. The Rockets hope to carry over one of their best wins of the season into Miami into a tough matchup on Monday night. The squad has yet to win the second half of a back-to-back all season, and they haven’t beaten the Heat in over two seasons. It won’t be easy, but if Houston can carry this momentum and energy they felt during this home victory, they have a punter’s chance in Miami on Monday night.

Rockets Host Grizzlies in First of Back-to-Back

Ja Face of the League.    Sneaky Second.    Upsetting the Upstart.

The Rockets host arguably the next face of the NBA, emerging superstar Ja Morant, and the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. Morant has been on fire lately, averaging over 37 points a game over the course of his last six games. The Grizz have snuck into the second spot in the West, leapfrogging the Warriors.

` If the Rockets want any chance to pull the upset tonight, they need to play with energy on defense, and control their turnovers. Memphis is the new upstart-contenders. No one expected them to be this good this quickly, but they’ve improved as the season’s moved on, and been consistently near the top of the West for at least the past couple months.

After tonight’s game, Houston will travel to Miami to take on the Heat, the best team in the East. Sunday marks the beginning of arguably the toughest back-to-back remaining for the Rockets this season. The losing streak’s nearing record heights, as Houston’s dropped 12 games in a row. They’ll attempt to avoid unlucky loss number 13 in a row tonight.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Memphis Grizzlies (44-21):  White

Houston Rockets (15-48):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  6 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Fall to Nuggets, 116-101, as Rocky Times Continue

Dirty Dozen.    Vintage Boogie.    Tough Get Tougher.

As they’ve done countless times this season, Houston led after the first quarter. But this season’s hardest task for this Rockets team has been the ability to play all four quarters. Denver took control of the second quarter, and the game, en route to dealing the Rockets a 116-101 defeat. The loss marks Houston’s 12th defeat in a row. Christian Wood led Houston with 22 points, and Jalen Green supplied 18 points as the rookie continues to improve as the season moves along.

A former Rocket, DeMarcus Cousins had arguably his best game of the season for Denver. Cousins had a vintage “Boogie” performance, scoring 31 points to power the Nuggets past Houston. Denver also had six other players score in double-figures for their balanced attack.

The tough times only get tougher for Houston as they face two of the hottest and best teams in the NBA coming up next in a back-to-back. First, the Rockets return home to host red-hot Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. And then, Houston travels to Miami to battle the East-leading Heat. Hopefully they can squeak out a win in the next couple of games, but it won’t be easy by any means.

Rockets Visit the Mile-High City for Matchup with Nuggets

Dirty Dozen.    The Green Stride.    Fighting the Air.

Houston visits the Denver Nuggets for a battle in the Mile-High City. The Nuggets will be without Nikola Jokic tonight, so the Rockets have a better chance than usual to pull-off a potential upset.

Jalen Green has really played well of late, scoring 27 points in Houston’s last game, leading the squad in scoring.

The Rockets will battle the altitude as well as the Nuggets on Friday night. Hopefully the Joker’s absence can give Houston they need to finally end their eleven-game losing streak.

 

Ball Arena:  Denver, Colorado

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (15-47):  Red

Denver Nuggets (36-26):  Blue

 

Tip-Off:  8 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass

Rockets Suffer OT Heartbreaker to Jazz, 132-127, Lose 11th Straight

Deadly Duo.    Wasted Opportunity.    Back on the Road.

Christian Wood nailed a three-pointer as time expired in regulation to send Wednesday night’s game to overtime. However, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert fueled Utah late, as the Jazz held off the Rockets in overtime, 132-127, dealing Houston their 11th straight loss. Utah’s dynamic duo combined to scored 64 points, and proved to be too much for a young Rockets squad.

Houston played surprisingly well against a dominant opponent, and unfortunately wasted another solid game from Jalen Green. Houston’s top rookie had one of his best games of the season, leading the Rockets in scoring with 27 points. Kevin Porter Jr. returned from injury after missing a few games and didn’t disappoint on his bobble head night. Scoot registered 16 points and dished out 12 assists for Houston. Christian Wood scored 24 and had what was at the time, a game-saving three to send the game to overtime, but the Rockets couldn’t take advantage of the extra time.

Houston now heads back on the road for one game in Denver against the Nuggets before they return home Sunday to host the hot Memphis Grizzlies. The skid’s reaching dangerous heights, and despite the tough competition on the horizon, the Rockets are due for an upset here in the next few games. They nearly pulled it off against the Jazz, and next they’ll try and fight the altitude and take down the Nuggets on Friday in Denver.

Rockets Host Jazz in Second Game of Back-to-Back

Scooting Towards a Return.    Diminished Rivalry.    Fighting Fatigue.

After dropping two straight games to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Rockets host the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. Houston is playing its third game in four days, this being the second of a back-to-back. Kevin Porter Jr. is listed as probable to make his return form an injury, ironically on his first-ever bobblehead night. Hopefully Scoot’s return can give a Rocket team that’s looking to snap a ten-game skid a much-needed boost.

Utah always been one of Houston’s biggest rivals, dating back to the days of Hakeem Olajuwon, John Stockton and Karl Malone. This season sees the rivalry more diminished than perhaps ever before, as the Rockets sit as the bottom of the Conference. Meanwhile, the Jazz sit in third place in the West, and have won eight of their past nine games. Utah’s deadly All-Star duo of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert will be in line to make the most noise for the Jazz tonight.

This matchup will be tougher than the last couple, as the Jazz are a step up in competition from the Clippers. Utah is a legitimate title contender when healthy, and are playing some of their best basketball of the season at the moment. The Rockets sure have their work cut out for them tonight. Maybe KPJ’s return will scoot Houston towards finally breaking their losing streak. After all, this season, the Rockets seem to win when we least expect a victory. It’ll be tough over this veteran, disciplined, and more talented Jazz squad, but anything’s possible in an NBA regular season game.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Utah Jazz (38-22):  Yellow

Houston Rockets (15-46):  White

 

Tip-Off:  7 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass