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Rockets Play Host to Nuggets, as Houston Attempts to Derail Denver’s Playoff Climb

Rocky Roads.    Porter Battle.    Dream for 15.

Houston’s dream for their 15th win of the season continues on Friday night, as they host the Denver Nuggets, another team who’s experienced a rocky road this season, albeit more recently. The Nuggets just lost their star point guard Jamal Murray for the season, as Murray suffered an ACL-tear. Denver also acquired Aaron Gordon from the Orlando Magic at the trade deadline, and the team was on a roll before the Murray injury. Now, Denver will look to Michael Porter Jr. to do most of the playmaking. The Nuggets also have the front-runner for this year’s MVP, Nikola Jokic, the best center in basketball.

The Rockets have a tall task in stopping Jokic tonight. Denver’s superstar can play inside the paint and outside on the perimeter. Christian Wood and Kelly Olynyk combined for 50 points in Houston’s previous game, and the Rockets will need to replicate that performance to beat the Nuggets tonight. Houston will continue to test Kevin Porter Jr.’s ability to play against the best in the NBA, and he will go to battle against another Porter, the Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr. Whoever wins that matchup will be key to tonight’s game.

Regardless, Denver has the best player on the floor in Jokic. The Murray injury certainly hurt the Nuggets, but Denver’s not rolling over, and still trying to climb as high as possible in the standings. Tonight will be a tough matchup for Houston, but if the Rockets can avoid falling into their token early-game hole, they might have a chance against this solid Nuggets team after all.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Denver Nuggets (35-20):  “Earned Edition” White

Houston Rockets (14-41):  “City Edition” Blue

 

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

Houston’s Comeback Falls Short, Rockets Lose to Pacers 132-124

Another One.    Double-Trouble.   The Evolution Continues.

The Rockets fell behind by 20 points at halftime, and managed to still climb within single-digits, but ended up losing to Indiana, 132-124, on Wednesday night. Houston dug themselves yet another hole, and found themselves too far behind for another spirited comeback to become successful. John Wall led the Rockets in scoring with 31 points, and all starts finished ion double-figures, but the Pacers were just the better team on Wednesday.

Houston’s most crucial big men combined to score 50 points, as Christian Wood and Kelly Olynyk scored 25 points apiece, as they continue to develop their chemistry together. However, too much Domantas Sabonis, Caris LeVert, and Malcolm Brogdon downed the Rockets hopes of victory against Indiana.

The evolution of this new breed of Rockets basketball continues to see the squad get more comfortable and find their respective roles on the team. Kevin Porter Jr. played a team-high 41 minutes, as Houston’s future superstar continues to work on his game. KPJ and the squad are back in action on Friday night as they host the new-look Denver Nuggets. A much better team than the Pacers… one the Rockets can’t afford to go hole-digging against.

Rockets Return Home, Host Ailing Pacers

Prideful Players.    Weaker Parts.    Big Chemistry.

It’s “Pride Night” at Toyota Center on Wednesday night as the Rockets host the Pacers. Houston’s coming off a brief, unsuccessful West-Coast road-trip, so the Rockets are hoping a meeting with a weaker Pacers team at home can give Houston a victory. The Rockets are quite capable of beating a short-handed Indiana Pacers ball-club.

Indiana will be without Myles Turner and Doug McDermott, so the Rockets shouldn’t have as rough a time dealing with the Pacers inside, specifically when it comes to Turner’s absence. And McDermott is one less shooter to worry about. But Indiana still has plenty of capable professionals who can run the Rockets out the gym. Tonight’s game is about who wants it more: which team is going to show more pride?

Houston will continue to work on the evolving chemistry between Christian Wood and Kelly Olynyk. Wood’s new partner in crime down-low has been spectacular since joining the Rockets. Just like Jae’Sean Tate, and KJ Martin, Kelly Olynyk is absolutely a perfect fit as the veteran to compliment this young squad full of raw talent. Houston’s twin towers will try and lead the squad to a win on Wednesday night. Along with John Wall? (you never know when he’s going to play or be a late scratch), Kevin Porter Jr. and company, tonight in Houston… it’s time for the Rockets to show some pride.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Indiana Pacers (25-28):  White

Houston Rockets (14-40):  Blue “City Edition”

 

TV:  8 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Late Sunset:  Houston’s Comeback Falls Short, as Rockets Downed by Suns, 126-120

Shortcomings.    Introduction to Brooks.    18 Remain.

Houston’s spirited comeback came-up short on Monday night in the desert, as the Rockets fell to the Suns, 126-120. Phoenix dominated the first half, and Houston was able to dig into that lead, but the squad couldn’t overcome the hole. Christian Wood led the Rockets with 25 points and 15 boards. Kevin Porter Jr. had 22 points and 14 dimes, but it wasn’t enough, as Phoenix has now swept the season series with Houston.

The newest Rocket, Armani Brooks, got his first glance at action, and didn’t disappoint. Brooks scored 14 points and connected on four threes as the newcomer looks to be a nice fit for Houston and the team’s future.

Only 18 games remain in the season for the Rockets. At 14-40, Houston is playing for pride, and hoping somehow they get lucky this summer in the draft lottery. Other than that, the Rockets are building towards next season throughout these final 18 games. This group of young players still need time to gel and find their respective roles. Next season, they’ll be ready to comeback with more spirit and confidence.

Rockets Visit Phoenix, Aim to Avenge Last Week’s Loss

Spoiling New Machines.    Wall-dition.    Inside Keys.

The Houston Rockets roll into Phoenix with nothing to lose, against a Suns team fighting for one of the top playoff spots in the West. These teams squared off exactly a week ago, with the Suns narrowly beating Houston in tightly contested match. Expect this one to be more lopsided, as Phoenix looks to stay hot, and win their 9th game in their last 11 contests. The Rockets will try and spoil their former point-guard, Chris Paul, and his fancy new machine: this Phoenix Suns team that’s arguably the surprise of this NBA season. Everyone expected Phoenix to improve this season, but no one had them almost two games out of first place at this point, with the second-best record in the entire league.

No back-to-back tonight in the desert, so John Wall will be playing for the Rockets on Monday. Wall missed last week’s game against the Suns. Hopefully his addition is the boost Houston needs to beat this upstart Phoenix squad. De’Andre Ayton, among many Suns players is having a breakout season. The Rockets need to control Ayton, and Phoenix’s deadly perimeter shooters if they want any chance of coming out of the desert victorious.

Christian Wood and Kelly Olynyk will need to play like men against boys in the paint. But when all’s said and done. Tonight, we’re in CP3’s house. Whoever wins the perimeter battle wins tonight’s game. Houston will be relying heavily on John Wall and Kevin Porter Jr. to out-duel one of the NBA’s best backcourts, Chris Paul and Devin Booker. It’s all a tall task in the desert tonight, but Houston has nothing to lose… and nothing’s impossible.

 

Phoenix Suns Arena:  Phoenix, Arizona

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (14-39):  Black

Phoenix Suns (37-15):  White

 

TV:  9 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Another Dismal Second Quarter Dooms Houston, as Rockets Fall to Warriors, 125-109

2nd Quarter Nightmares.    109 Ain’t Good Enough.    What Brown Could’ve Done For Houston.

After trailing by only two points after the first quarter, the Rockets essentially fell apart. The Warriors outscored Houston 33-18 in the second period, putting the Rockets in a hole they never managed to escape, falling to Golden State 125-109 on Saturday night. John Wall returned and had another stellar game, scoring 30 points to lead Houston. Christian Wood and Kelly Olynyk’s chemistry continues to flourish, as the two finished with 18 points apiece. But too much Steph Curry put ensured Houston never stood a chance in the Bay. Curry scored 38 to lead all scorers, propelling the Warriors to the win over their old rival.

Coincidentally, Houston’s scored 109 points in their last two games. And 109 points, despite sounding like a big number, isn’t large enough in the modern offensive-obsessed NBA. The Rockets need to start knocking down their shots, and playing tougher defense, or this could be a very ugly end, to what’s been a horrific season.

Sterling Brown only played 4 minutes after scoring 15 points in the previous game. It’s a questionable rotational move for a player who’s been stellar in nearly  all the court action he’s seen this season. Hopefully Coach Stephen Silas gives Brown more minutes in the future. Who knows what Brown could have provided Houston on Saturday night… he could’ve possibly kept the Rockets from falling apart.

Rockets Visit an Old-Rival, Intent on Striking Back to the Winning Side

Old-School Rivals.    Sliding Dubs.    Payback.   

On Saturday night, the Rockets travel to the still-hated Golden-State Warriors to try and deliver some timely payback for all the past playoff pain the Dubs caused Houston. While these may not be the rivals during the James Harden era, both teams find themselves on bait of a landslide. After creeping closer to playoff contention, Golden State has now lost four of their last five contests, and are slowly sliding into the NBA lottery. The Rockets meanwhile, are lottery bound. And there’s nothing more Houston would love to do than ensure the Dubs will be in the same position as season’s end. A victory over the Warriors tonight would severely hamper their hopes of making the playoffs.

Despite the record, the Rockets have seriously playing with more heart and energy ion recent games. Kelly Olynyk has become a godsend, and’s basically cemented his part in the rotation, as long as Houston makes the smart move and holds on to the versatile, veteran big-man after the season. His chemistry with Christian Wood is improving with each game, and given time, the two could provide a unique, special inside presence for the Rockets. John Wall returns for the second half of this back-to-back. Expect the Rockets to play with more heart, and possibly ruin the Dubs’ playoff hopes.

` Well, it’s time for payback. Starting tonight, 20 games remain for Houston. It’s time to finish strong. Snagging Cade Cunningham in the draft is going to take a lot of luck, regardless of the squad’s record. It;’s time to get a win. Against the Warriors. A team I used to really hate, but now just dislike. They ruined so many of our past seasons in the James Harden era, they basically ran him out of town. It’s time for these new-look Rockets to ruin Golden State’s season… it’s Saturday night Payback Night in the Bay, Houston-style.

 

Chase Center:  San Francisco, California

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (14-38):  Red

Golden State Warriors (24-28):  “City Edition” Navy

 

TV:  9 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Tinseltown Tears:  Rockets Fight Comes Up Short Against Clippers, 126-109

Shorthanded-Battle.    Stability Issues.    Evolving Heart.    

The Rockets lost against a short-handed Clippers team, 126-109, on Friday night. Despite big without John Wall, then Rockets held a ten point lead after the first period. But a disastrous second quarter, in which the Rockets were outscored 41-10, pretty much put the game out of Houston’s hands. John Wall was again sorely missed against a Clippers team that was also short-handed. L.A. was without Paul George, Patrick Beverley, Rajon Rondo, and other herb components for their deep roster. Nonetheless, the Clippers depth was on full-display, as the Clips rolled to an easy victory over the Rockets on Friday night. Even though Houston cut the lead back to 6 at one point in the fourth quarter, you never got the sense the Rockets were going to overcome the hump, and take down L.A. Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points to lead the Clippers, and Reggie Jackson was clutch, scoring 26b points snd dishing 7 dimes.

With Wall’s absence, Kevin Porter Jr. took over the point guard duties. KPJ finished with 14 points, 13 dimes, and 6 boards, as his promising game continues to evolve with each passing result. Still,. without Wall, the Rockets are going to struggle to win any games for the rest of the season. They have the toughest remaining schedule in the league. And with Wall set to miss at least one game in each of the remaining back-to-back sets, Houston has to find a way to achieve victory with Wall sidelined.

Regardless of all the losing, this Rockets team is starting to play with more heart. And that starts with Kelly Olynyk. Like Jae’Sean Tate, Olynyk is an absolute perfect fit to this Houston team and compliments Christian Wood very well in the post. Wood added 23 points in then Rockets loss in L.A.  KPJ certainly is adjusting to playing with Wall once night, and the starting the next evening. Still, at only 20 years old, KPJ has then potential to be superstar no one saw coming in this league. Up next, the Rockets catch a short-breather, and they’re back in action Saturday night for Part 2 of this weekend back-to-back. Houston heads to the Bay Area to take on their former blood rivals… the Golden State Warriors. And while then rivalry may not be as it once was…there’s no short-handed teams tonight in this bout. It’s time the Rockets deal the Warriors a loss, and hamper their playoff hopes. After all, Golden State was Houston’s Evil Empire for so many years. It’s time to re-pay the favor. Even if it’s only for a game. The Warriors are fighting for their playoff lives right now in the brutal West. Bad news for Golden State is… the Rockets aren’t backing down on Saturday night.

Rockets Head West for Tough Battle Against Clippers

The Sweaty West.    Absent Wall.    Something to Prove?

So… who has more to prove? Is it the Clippers? Early-season favorites to be the second seed out West. But Los Angeles now sits in third place, behind the surprising Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns. Or is it the Houston Rockets? A team who’s been through more drama, escapades, and blind-sides compared to any other team in the league over the past year. Well this adversity-hit Houston squad faces even more of that adversity tonight, as they head to L.A. to begin a West-Coast back-to-back against the Clippers. Los Angeles got off to a slower start than expected, but the Clips have won three straight. And beating this loaded contender full of stars is a tall task for a Rockets team who will once again be without John Wall.

Being the first game of a back-to-back set, Wall will rest tonight, but hopefully play tomorrow against Golden State. The Rockets are night-and-day a different team with their veteran point-guard leader on the court. For now, Houston will have to rely more on Kevin Porter Jr. to handle the point, and show he’s ready to bring his skills as potential future star in this league to the forefront against one of the league’s best teams. KPJ will need help from Houston’s twin towers, Christian Wood and Kelly Olynyk, who have been building chemistry with each game. Wood, along with the addition of Olynyk, now give the Rockets an inside presence and threat they previously lacked before Kelly’s arrival. Wood could only do so much alone. Olynyk’s arrival in Houston has really helped both players games on the court.

The Rockets are coming off a rare win, after being victorious over the Mavericks on Wednesday night, 102-93. Houston will need to play an almost perfect game without John Wall to beat this Clippers team. Luckily for Houston, this Rockets squad is full of guys with something prove. So? Who’s got more to prove tonight? Is it the forgotten Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association? Or the overrated, media-darling Los Angeles Clippers? Tune in at 9 PM CT to find out.

 

Staples Center:  Los Angeles, California

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (14-37):  Red

Los Angeles Clippers (35-18):  “City Edition” Black

 

TV:  9 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Fend-Off Mavs, 102-93, for Elusive Victory

Wall Don’t Lie.    Fitting In.    Eyes Ahead.

For the first time in months, the Houston Rockets won a game from start-to-finish, handing the Mavericks a 102-93 defeat, at the friendly confines of Toyota Center.     John Wall made his token random return from injury, and had one of his best games as Rocket. Wall scored 31 points on efficient shooting, and dished out 7 dimes to lead Houston. The Rockets are eons and eons better with Wall on the court. Too bad, his return to action is rare. Houston’s point guard will miss Friday’s match in L.A. against the Clippers. Granted, it’s the first of a back-to-back, but I can’t recall the last time Wall played in consecutive games for the Rockets. Regardless, as the rest of the roster begins to gel, Houston is slowly becoming more confident. Don’t look at the record. It doesn’t tell the whole story, but these Rockets are slowly coming together and improving.

Speaking of coming together, Kelly Olynyk has been a perfect fit since his arrival in Houston. And his developing chemistry with Christian Wood is a blessing to watch. The two big men are becoming more in sync with each other’s talent with each passing game. Olynyk had 10 points and a monstrous 18 boards for the Rockets in their win over the Mavs. Wood finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds. And Kevin Porter Jr. (aka The Black Joker), scored 14 points as he continues to work on his chemistry with John Wall. Houston outplayed Dallas from the opening tip, in a rare game this season where the Rockets basically controlled the game from start-to-finish.

Only 21 games remain until the finish of this season. Up next, the Rockets endure a very tough back-to-back out West. Houston will be in L.A. on Friday to face the Clippers juggernaut, and then Saturday they’ll face an old rival, in the Golden State Warriors. The Clippers have all but locked in a playoff-spot. Golden State, on the other hand, is trying to lock up one of the last spots. To sum up the situation, Houston’s next two foes have something to play for, as Dallas does. Can the Rockets bring the same chemistry and energy, and possibly upset the Clippers to start the weekend? It won’t be easy without John Wall, but a victory over the Clips would give Houston their first win over a contender in months.