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Short-handed Rockets Strive for 6 Straight, Pacers Streak into Town

Championship Look.    Rested and Ready.    Underdogs?

You might not be wrong if you think Houston’s an underdog in Friday night’s matchup versus Indiana. For the first time this season, one could argue they are. The Rockets are severely undermanned with Westbrook, Capela, House, and Gordon all missing tonight’s contest. Also premiering tonight, the squad will rock their new classic ketchup & mustard uniforms that celebrate the 25th anniversary of the franchise’s last championship. Friday night marks the first of eight games in which the Rockets will don their 90’s championship look uni’s. Houston is currently playing its best ball of the year. The Beard and co. have the look of this season’s potential champion. The squad is coming off its most impressive win of the season, an entertaining Harden-fueled victory over the Clippers. On Friday night, the Rockets look to make it six in a row, as the streaking Indiana Pacers come to town. Indy’s riding their own 4-game winning streak. Tonight’s match with the Pacers marks the first game of a back-to-back for Houston. They’ll be without Clint Capela, Eric Gordon, and Danuel House. Russell Westbrook also plans to rest, which is the plan for Westbrook all season on the first of a back-to-back. James Harden has had that championship look in his eyes. The Beard needs help tonight if the Rockets want to beat a hot Indy team. 

The Pacers ride into Houston on 2 days of rest, boasting a 4-game winning streak. Myles Turner and Jeremy Lamb are out with injuries for Indy, but the Rockets will still have their hands full. Domanatas Sabonis is one of the best young big men in the game. Sabonis presents a nightmare in the paint for Houston. The Pacers big man can score inside and out, doesn’t make many mistakes and is extremely efficient. Malcolm Brogdon also poses a threat to Houston’s winning streak. Brogdon is also a low mistake-prone player, and one of the smartest, most-underrated players in the league. Indiana’s All-Star Victor Oladipo is still out with an injury he suffered last season. The Pacers have been an early-season surprise, as many expected them to struggle without Oladipo. They didn’t last year after his injury. Indy has a lot of fight on this roster. The Pacers aren’t the most talented team in the NBA, but they play with a lot of heart and grit. The Rockets need other players to step up and help Harden score. Someone needs to fill the void left by the absences of Westbrook, Capela, Gordon, and House. The Beard can’t do it all by himself.

Even though Houston is the better team, the Rockets may find themselves as underdogs for the first time all season. Due the injury circumstances, Houston is vastly hobbled entering tonight’s matchup. Hopefully, Austin Rivers, Tyson Chandler, Ben McLemore, and others can give just the right amount of support for Harden to muster up another late win for the Rockets. Houston is the most hobbled they’ve been all season entering Friday night’s tussle. And the Eastern Conference hasn’t been the friendliest of foes this season for Houston. The Rockets are an undefeated 6-0 against the West. However, against the East, Houston is merely 2-3. The squad needs an all-around team effort tonight to avoid falling 2-4 against Eastern Conference teams. The Pacers are looking for their 5th straight win, fresh off two days of rest. For a team that plays harder than most, that’s an added advantage. Rivers and Chandler need to bring the energy they brought last game if the Rockets want to beat this hot Pacers team. Maybe, the classic uniforms Houston’s debuting on court will bring the squad some extra luck and motivation on the floor. The Rockets need it tonight. For the first time all season, they look like underdogs. But then again, they have James Harden, who can seemingly beat an average team by himself. And he’s playing at an even higher level than last year. Houston might be underdogs in the eyes of some. Just don’t tell the Beard… he’s looking to prove the doubters wrong… while rocking that championship look.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Indiana Pacers (7-4):  Yellow

Houston Rockets (8-3):  Classic Red

 

TV:  7 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW

Too Much Beard: Harden’s 47 Sails Rockets Past Clips, 102-93

Realest Rivalry.    Family Frenzy.    Best Player?

“He was incredible tonight, especially against a defensively sound team like they are… Superman sometimes has to put on his cape,” Austin Rivers said about the latest episode of The James Harden Show on Wednesday night. Houston’s biggest game of the season (so far) ended up being an odd yet entertaining affair. If anything’s certain. Highly questionable officiating gave Russell Westbrook four fouls in the first quarter alone. But, against the daunted Clippers, the Rockets managed to hold a lead with Brodie on the pine. Houston led by 16 points after the first quarter, and 12 at halftime. The Rockets had the opportunity to step on LA’s throat, but the Clips quietly got back in the game. Los Angeles held a 4-point lead with about 5 minutes left in the game, but Harden had his most clutch performance when the the squad needed it most. The Beard had 17 of his 47 points in the final 5 minutes, as the Rockets came back to beat the Clippers, 102-93, for their best win of the season. Houston outscored L.A. by 10 in clutch time to get their fifth consecutive win, and improve to 6-0 against the West.

Harden connected on 7-of-13 from downtown, including several clutch shots down the stretch. Westbrook had 17 points in a limited 30 minutes due to foul trouble. Clint Capela had another dominant performance, grabbing 20 rebounds to go along with 12 points and 2 blocks. Houston’s big man became the first Rocket since Moses Malone to record 3 consecutive 20-rebound games in a season. Unfortunately, Capela suffered a concussion after he took a dirty charge from JayMichael Green with about 5 minutes left in the game. The Big Swiss went to the locker room after suffering the concussion and never returned to the game. At this point the Clippers led by 1 point, with momentum on their side. Fortunately for Houston, Tyson Chandler stepped up in Capela’s absence, and had his best game of the year. The season vet played the rest of the game after checking in for Capela. Getting his most playing time as a Rocket, Chandler had 5 points and 9 rebounds in 16 minutes. He even made the highlight reel, catching a deep Harden lob for a backwards jam late in the contest to seal the victory for Houston.

If there’s any question as to who’s the best player in the league, and I know there are still people in the LeBron and Kawhi camps, Harden made quite the MVP-like statement on Wednesday night. Not only did 17 of of his 47 points come in the final five minutes of the game (clutch-time), the Beard did this against the best defense in the NBA. Without three teammates (Clint Capela, Eric Gordon, Danuel House) who often close games for Houston. Harden also outplayed Leonard on both ends of the floor. The Beard stripped the Claw before throwing Chandler the dagger lob that basically ensured a Rockets win. Many people claim Kawhi as the NBA’s best “two-way” player, but the Claw certainly got outplayed in Houston. Harden had 47 points and 3 steals, including the late crucial snag on Kawhi that sealed the victory. Leonard had 26 points and 1 steal, against a Rockets team that supposedly doesn’t play defense. Unfortunately for L.A., Houston was dominant defensively. The Rockets held the Clippers to 93 points. It’s the lowest amount the Clips have scored this season. It was also the least amount of points Houston’s allowed all season. Harden and P.J. Tucker were exceptional defensively late on Leonard to contain the reigning Finals-MVP. Austin Rivers’ defense on the usually-clutch Lou Williams in the fourth quarter was phenomenal. And Montrezl Harrell, who usually feasts when he’s back in Houston, had one his worst games of his career. Trez usually goes for 20-10 against the Rockets, but Capela and Houston’s interior defense was suffocating. Trez went 2-for-12 from the floor, and finished with only 4 points. It’s the first time in Harrell’s career he shot under 30% with at least 9 attempts. During this current 5-game winning streak, the Rockets boast the NBA’s top defense. Houston is allowing 98.5 points per 100 possessions during this stretch, best in the league. The entire squad has shown a leap in improvement in the hustle and effort departments.

A matchup simmering as a rivalry for the last two years, officially became one on Wednesday night. Patrick Beverly was ejected, after being too much of a pest. After the game, Westbrook said Bev doesn’t play any defense. This is partially biased, as the two have a history of bad blood, and hate each other. Also, Beverly held Harden to 0/6 shooting when he guarded the Beard. But, basketball being a team sport, defense is a group exercise. If your team lets one guy drop 47 points, everyone’s responsible. In this season’s most entertaining moment, Austin Rivers urged the refs to eject his father, Clippers head coach Doc Rivers. Austin was only feet away from a heated Doc, as he perusaded officials to toss his dad for arguing a call. The refs inclined, and Austin even made the “call me” sign with his hands to his dad, as Doc headed to the locker room. Given the level of competition, history, and familiarity between these two squads, the Rockets and Clippers are then league’s most honest, heated rivalry. The Clippers might share a building with the Lakers, but the Clips have more bad blood with Houston than any team in the league. It’ll be fun when these two meet again. Expect each match to get chippier in the future. We’ve got a real rivalry on our hands between the Rockets and the Clips.

Houston needs to ride their momentum of this 5-game winning streak, and hope they can get a victory on the weekend. Starting with their win over the Clippers on Wednesday, the Rockets are in the midst of one of their most difficult stretches of the season. Up next is a back-to-back this weekend for Houston. They host Indiana  on Friday and then head to Minnesota on Saturday. The Rockets will be without Capela, Gordon, House, and Westbrook on Friday. The Pacers are on a 4-game winning-streak of their own, and are one of the hardest playing teams in the league. Houston is now 6-0 against the West, but only 2-3 against the East. Can they survive the weekend? The Rockets might be without 4 rotational players, but they still have the Beard. And this weekend… Houston needs Superman to put on his cape.

Rockets Host Clippers in Battle of Western Heavyweights

Define Yourself.    JV Rockets.    Favorites.

“Other people’s definitions of you, sometimes they’re more about making themselves feel better. You gotta define yourself,” Christopher Moltisanti says at one point in The Sopranos. At this point in Houston’s season, we’ve now reached the 10-game mark. The Rockets are 7-3. A respectable mark, but Houston’s had one of the easiest schedules to start the year. All that starts to change tonight, as the Los Angeles Clippers come to town for a battle of Western Conference heavyweights. It’s the biggest game of the season so far for the Rockets. Other than Milwaukee on Opening Night, Houston has yet to play a true title contender. That changes tonight, as the Clippers are favorites to win it all in the eyes of many. Wednesday night’s game will be the first measuring stick to witness how good the Rockets are, right now. Many fans, critics, and experts have defined the Clippers as title favorites. Houston gets mentioned further down the list of contenders, usually after pretenders like the Lakers, Denver, Portland, and Utah. On national television, the Rockets get a chance to show the league they deserve to be discussed amongst the NBA’s elite. Houston’s riding a season-high 4-game winning streak entering tonight’s first real test. They aim for 5 in a row in the first of many battles to come against the Clips this season.

The Clippers have won 4 of their last 5 games. The Rockets lost Danuel House Jr. to a back contusion in the previous game. The Houstonian will miss tonight’s game, with no timetable set for his return. News broke yesterday that EG is expected to miss six weeks due to a knee injury. The Rockets limp into this match a little hobbled, but they still have enough firepower to make tonight’s game must-see TV. Paul George was rumored to be making his Clipper debut in Houston, but it now appears George will play his first game of the season tomorrow, when the Clips head to New Orleans.

As of now, the Clippers are the favorites. And, as of this moment, that’s fair. There is no clear-cut favorite. And the Clips do have last season’s Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard, leading the way. The Load Management King is arguably the best two-way player in the game today, when he decides to play. And, who woulda thunk it? Kawhi’s actually playing tonight, as he’s one of the few players who can (try) to contain the Beard. It should be a close game. Minus House and Gordon, the Rockets need to be better than ever. Westbrook needs to be ready for his best game of the season. Russ shot the ball above 50 percent over his last two games. This trend needs to continue for Houston to win tonight. The Beard will likely be hounded all night by the Claw (Leonard), meaning other Rockets need to step up.

Familiar faces always pop up when these two rivals meet. Many former Rockets now play for the Clippers. In Los Angeles, these JV Rockets have become one of the most stellar rotational units in basketball. Patrick Beverly, Lou Williams, and Montrezl Harrell were all included in the 2017 deal for Chris Paul. All these guys play with a chip on their shoulder when they face Houston. Beverly is arguably the biggest pest in the entire league (and the guy I miss most from the CP3 trade). Lou Williams is the best sixth man in NBA history. Sweet Lou’s the favorite the win the award once again this season, as the best reserve in basketball doesn’t seem to age. The Clippers also have Patrick Patterson, who Houston drafted back in 2010. Houston’s Austin Rivers is also a former Clipper, and used to be one of the most hated opponents for Rocket fans. That’s changed, but Houston can still boo another Rivers on the Clips sidelines. Austin’s father, Doc Rivers, coaches the Clippers. This has been a rivalry in the making for a few years now, ever since the Rockets erased the Clippers 3-1 lead the last time these squads met in the postseason. Two years ago, the “Secret Tunnel” game highlighted the battle between the clubs. Last year, the undermanned Clips went 2-1 against Houston, igniting more fury, ensuring this rivalry was only heating up. Now, these two teams are finally legit contenders.

It’s time Houston. Tonight’s a chance for the Rockets to make a statement. Beat  a team considered to be one of the favorites. ESPN, most publishing outlets, and writers all want the Clippers win. It’s a feel-good story for the media. The Clippers “shocking” everyone going 8-3 without Paul George. Nonetheless, this team is the best team the Rockets will face all season, with or without PG13. George only makes the Clips scarier. Not many people nationally appreciate Houston. They love to talk about how Harden and the Rockets are boring to watch. These are the two deadliest duos in the NBA this season. I would include the Lakers, but Anthony Davis is already complaining about his shoulder. Before the season began I didn’t think AD would make it through the playoffs. Now, I don’t even think The Brow make it to the playoffs without suffering a season-ending injury. AD’s injury history has never been good. And aging does nothing to help that history. Especially for tall, lankier big men. Nationally, most will be rooting for the Clippers, but Harden and Westbrook need to show how far they’ve come. In their previous performance the two combined for 74% shooting inside the arc. Houston’s deadly duo needs to attack the rim if the Rockets want to sail over the Clippers for a win.

If the Rockets win, the first thing the media will point out is that Paul George was absent. House and Gordon are unlikely to be mentioned. However, their absence is just a detriment to Houston as George’s is for Los Angeles. There are no excuses for tonight’s loser. These squads will meet twice more in the regular season, and probably in the playoffs. Wednesday night is just Act One in pitting the NBA’s best teams face-to-face. Although most don’t consider these two foes the league’s two best, Houston believes otherwise. Harden, Westbrook, and crew already know how others label the Rockets: Pretenders. Tonight, Houston can show the world who they really are: title contenders. All those people, the ones who say the Rockets are pretenders, the ones who believe Houston has no chance at winning the title, people who feel better when the Rockets lose because they want their definition of Houston clarified. They’ll be tuning in tonight. Toyota Center hosts the biggest game of the NBA season thus far. The world will be watching. Whether it’s the King of Load Management, or the Greatest Scorer Who Never Rested… definitions get tossed, jumbled, and altered by false-narratives and rumors. In this league, you define your own legacy… it’s time Harden and the Rockets define themselves.

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Los Angeles Clippers (7-3):  Black

Houston Rockets (7-3):  White

 

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

The Houston Rockets are facing injuries early in the season. Guard Eric Gordon suffered a knee injury and is out for six weeks. Danuel House Jr. will also miss some time. Not to worry Houston fans, this team is still very talented, even without those two players on the court. James Harden and Russell Westbrook can handle their own, and dominate like they have been. Harden is the main star on the team, anyway, and is having another MVP-caliber campaign.

Gordon is having surgery after suffering a bad knee injury. Rockets GM Daryl Morey hopes the team can have him back in time to make a run. Houston currently sits at 7-3 overall, tied for the most wins in the Western Conference. As for House, he’ll miss some time as well, but will come back soon enough. Houston took a big blow when Gerald Green was ruled out for the season after he injured his foot. Expect players like Ben McLemore, Austin Rivers, Thabo Sefolosha, and Chris Clemons to step up in the absence of Eric Gordon and Danuel House. 

The Rockets are playing at a high level right now. With a huge game against the Clippers on Wednesday night, a win would propel them into even better playoff positioning in the Western Conference. However, losing two of their best players won’t help the cause. With Rivers, McLemore, and Sefolosha ready to step up and fill the void, Houston can prime themselves for a big run. It’s still early in the season, but this Houston Rockets team is looking like a true contender. With the Warriors being down this year and Steph Curry out, a new team has the opportunity to claim the West. Houston will definitely need Gordon and House back at some point this season. If the Rockets can make a defining run and truly contend, this season can remain magical. 

– Brandon Eisenman

Victory Pains:  Rockets Top Pelicans, 122-116, As a Familiar Bug Returns

Dents in the Machine.    The Case for 2.    Late to the Party.

“You can change what you do, but you can’t change what you want” proclaims Tommy Shelby, in Peaky Blinders, one of Netflix’s best offerings. Despite bumping their winning streak to four games, the Rockets are going to have to change what they like to do… if they still want a legit chance at the title. Houston escaped the Big Easy with a win over the Pelicans, 122-116, on Monday night. James Harden had 19 of his 39 points in the final quarter. Clint Capela continued his domination on the glass with 20 rebounds. Westbrook put on the best mid-range show from a Rocket since… I can’t remember. As a result, the Rockets won their fourth consecutive game, and improved to 5-0 against the West (albeit against non-playoff teams). Although, this victory came at a high price. Danuel House Jr. took a hard fall on his back late in the first half. House didn’t play in the second half. Tuesday, news broke that the Houstonian has a back contusion. House has no timetable yet for a return, and will miss at least the the next game. More bad news came later in the day. After having his best game of the season, with 17 points on 6-for-11 shooting, Eric Gordon is due to have knee surgery. Houston’s sixth man, who finally seemed to find his groove during Monday night’s win, will miss the next six weeks of the season.

Hence, the injury bug is officially back in Houston. This is nothing new for the Rockets. Time and time again, Houston has dealt with losses to key players, especially durning the Harden-P.J. Era (the last two seasons). Only ten games into this season, and the injury bug is buzzing around for a new year of pestering. House was in the midst of a breakout season for Houston, with his name even in contention for the NBA’s Most Improved Player. Gordon, after having the worst start to a season in his career, finally appeared to shake out of his funk on Monday night. House and Gordon are huge losses for the Rockets. Both are a heavy-minute players in Coach Mike D’Antoni’s rotation. House had been the most consistent Rocket, and Splash Gordon was molding back into the guy who’s won the NBA Sixth Man Award (at least in the latest game). Guys like Ben McLemore and Thabo Sefolosha will receive more playing time due to the injuries to House and Gordon. They’ll be seeing the most increase in minutes, but each Rocket needs to bring more to the table.

Fortunately for Houston, Harden and Westbrook had their best collective shooting game of the season in New Orleans. The superstar duo continues to make progress with each game. In Monday’s win, the Beard and Brodie collectively shot 24-for-46 from the floor. That’s an astounding 52.2%. If Harden and Westbrook keep that up, the rest of the league’s in trouble. However, it was the shot selection in this game that made all the difference. The Beard shoots more three’s than anyone in the NBA. Harden’s not going to stop shooting from long range, and neither are the Rockets. However, a serious case needs to be made for the old-fashioned 2-point field goal. As witnessed in the Big Easy, the trigger-happy Beard needs to step-back a little less, and drive a little more. If Houston can follow suit as a team, the differences in potential game outcomes will be astounding.

Let’s look at Monday’s win for instance. Harden finished with 39 points, on 13-for-25 shooting. Westbrook went 11-of-21 from the floor, for 26 points. Taking a closer peek at the shot selection reveals why Houston won the game. The Beard and Brodie were horrendous from 3-point land. Combined, they shot a dismal 4-for-19 (21%) from deep, resulting in only 12 points. However, Harden and Westbrook were unstoppable when they refused to settle for three. The star backcourt duo shot an astounding 20-for-27 from inside the arc. That’s equivalent to 74%. NBA players don’t even shoot free throws with such ease. I don’t know if Harden finally realized he needs to drive the ball more, but the Beard attempted more shots from inside the arc than beyond (14 to 11). That almost never happens in this day-and-age for for Harden. The Beard has patented his style of play around his step-back three. He loves to shoot from downtown as much as anyone in the NBA. If Harden truly wants a championship, he needs to change what he likes to do most: isolate and step-back from three (as open driving lanes scream at him from the paint). The Beard needs to listen to these lanes, and drive it more to the hoop, as seen in the Rockets latest win. Hopefully, Harden’s learned how tweaking elements of his game vastly improves Houston’s chances of winning games. Ironically, just as the injury bug arrives, the schedule happens to get tougher over the next few weeks. Beginning with a potential preview of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday night, as the Clippers come to town for the biggest game of the young season. The Rockets need Monday night’s version of the Beard to avoid falling in the West standings. The playoffs are in the distant future… but Harden will need to play drive-style of ball in the postseason for Houston to win it all.

The Beard was late to the party on Monday night in New Orleans. Harden scored 28 of his 39 points in the second half, including 19 in the final frame. Houston’s schedule toughens over the next few weeks. Harden can’t afford to show up late to party as playoff-caliber competition approaches. The squad needs MVP-caliber Beard for four quarters a night, especially with the newfound injuries. Speaking of MVPs, Harden passed Michael Jordan on Monday for the most points scored over the first 10 games of a season in NBA-history. After leading the league in scoring the past two seasons, the Beard is the NBA’s scoring leader once again this season, averaging 37.3 points a game. We all know he can score. Harden seems to pass a Jordan scoring record every month. Harden has to realize what’s best for the Rockets as a team. It might require less step-back threes. More drives to the basket to open up shooters. More easy layups. Some necessary change to the way they usually operate. But if the Beard and the Rockets want to win a championship in this era… it’s time to change the way they do things… just a little bit. Who knows… maybe they’ll be rewarded with what they want most: a championship.

Rockets Aiming for a Smooth Win in New Orleans

No Rest Test.    Weekly Player.    Big Easy Birds.

Houston hits the Big Easy to face their divisional rival, the New Orleans Pelicans, on Monday night. New Orleans has struggled this season, starting 2-7. The Rockets narrowly beat the Pelicans in the second game earlier this season, back in Houston. Records don’t matter in this one. New Orleans is much better than their record. If the Rockets overlook the Pelicans, the result won’t be pretty. Houston has a busy week ahead. Tonight’s game is the first of four in six nights. The Rockets won’t get much rest, but still need to double down on their defensive effort, if they want to go at least 3-1 during this span. Otherwise, Houston’s looking at 2-2, optimistically.

James Harden is coming off Player of the Week honors, after he led the Rockets to a 3-0 record last week. The Beard is putting up insane numbers yet again this season. Last week, Harden averaged roughly 41 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists. He started the year struggling with his shot, but the Beard looks better than ever, primed for another MVP-caliber season. His ability to mesh well with Russell Westbrook, has only opened up more opportunities for the Beard himself. Harden looks to keep it rolling, and lead the Rockets through a busy week. Harden doesn’t play the load management game. He’s licking his chops at this week. Especially with the Clippers next on the slate. For now, Houston has to focus on the Pelicans, and get the win in New Orleans.

A date with the Los Angeles Clippers looming this Wednesday back in Houston poses possible problems for tonight’s game. The Rockets can’t afford to over look the Pelicans. Despite the shooting struggles and desire to play no defense early on, 7-3 would be respectable start to the season for the Rockets. They currently sit tied for third in the jammed Western Conference standings. Only a game out of first, Houston needs to seize the opportunity at hand. The bottom line is the Pelicans aren’t on the same talent, experience, or basketball IQ level as the Rockets. Not an insult, just a fact. Houston needs to prove this by continuing the trend of the previous two games: Blowout W’s. It won’t be easy tonight. New Orleans is better than Chicago and Golden State, Houston’s blowout victims this season. It’s time the Rockets add another to that list: New Orleans. Expect Harden to keep it rolling, and the Rockets to win tonight. A blowout is feasible, but look for contested close game. These are divisional rivals, and Houston’s had letdowns this season. But that was the past. They’re learned from their stakes. Blowout or nail-biter, Houston’s smart enough to execute a victory over the Big Easy Birds. A loss? That would be an insult.

 

Smoothie King Center:  New Orleans, Louisiana

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (6-3):  Black

New Orleans Pelicans (2-7):  Red

 

TV:  7 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW

Rockets Outgun, Run Bulls Out of The Chi, 117-94

Return of the Swiss.    House Steals the Show.    Appreciation.

“The world is perfect. Appreciate the details,” observes Dean in the 2019 film The Dead Don’t Die. Something that hasn’t died in the NBA is James Harden’s ability to score. At will. On Saturday night, the Beard dropped 42, and casually drank Chicago’s milkshake. In the process, the Rockets blasted the Bulls for a 117-94 victory at United Center. Harden finished one assist shy of a triple-double,  and went a solid 9-for-19 from downtown. It wasn’t his season high, but the Beard put on quite a show with a 42-10-9 performance on Saturday night. Russell Westbrook continues to mesh well with Harden. Brodie finished with 26 points and 7 boards, on 50% shooting. After a dominant performance against Golden State in the previous game, Clint Capela looks like he’s back in All-Star form. The Big Swiss dominated the paint in Chicago. Capela had 16 points, 20 rebounds, and 4 blocks in his best showing of the season. With Eric Gordon still stuck in some sort of Sunken Place, Capela’s resurgence is needed for the Rockets to keep moving up in the West.

Houston now has a season-high 3-game winning streak. Much due to the improved effort on defense. It’s visibly noticeable the squad’s playing harder. Hopefully they got the message. Or, maybe they were out of shape, like Coach D’Antoni had said. Or maybe they just followed House’s lead. Danuel House has thrived as the best role player in the entire league this season. From his defense to his overall efficiency, House is thriving with the Rockets starting unit. In his first full season as a Rocket, House is bringing infectious defensive energy to the floor. Danuel had a career-high six steals, and those weren’t forced errors by the opposition. House forced those steals with his relentless effort. It seems like he’s everywhere on D, and his teammates are starting to follow his lead. During their current 3-game winning streak, Houston is 3rd in defensive efficiency, behind only the Lakers and Nuggets. The Rockets still haven’t played anyone decent since Opening Night. The season story remains a long way from being written, but for now, Houston’s moving in the right direction.

The NBA world’s not perfect. It never will be… it’s not supposed to be. And neither are the Houston Rockets. Although seeing though their imperfections, this year is shaping up to be special. In a league full of parity and new teammates, Houston’s core has been together longer than any contender. And the Rockets added an MVP in the offseason… who has fit seamlessly. The Beard and Brodie have gelled better than most expected. Westbrook has no problem playing Robin to Harden’s Batman. It gives the Rockets two true MVP’s in their primes… fighting towards the same goal that’s eluded them their entire careers: a championship. In their own House, Houston has the league’s best role player, a selfless, gritty hustler who’s efficiency is tops on the team. At 34, P.J. Tucker still plays harder than most 24 year-olds. Clint Capela is set to burst out of his early season funk, and return to All-Star form. Ben McLemore has been a more-than-pleasant surprise addition. And James Harden is 30 years old this season. A generational player in the prime of his prime. Still etching his groundbreaking style of play into NBA lore. Continuing to improve when it seems he’s already touching the sky. Don’t take it for granted. Harden’s durability, despite all the fouls he welcomes. His hatred for load management. Never missing a game. Playing every night for the love of the game. And those step-back threes, with the lull-you-to-sleep footwork… Appreciate the details.

Rockets Set to Outrun Bulls in the Windy City

Built to Outrun.    45-Piece.    Passing Batman and Robin.

After Houston’s previous win over Golden State, James Harden finished with the most points through 8 games to start a season since… the Michael Jordan, in 1988-1989. Saturday night, the Rockets head to the House Michael Built to face the Bulls, pitting them against a team they were built to outrun. Houston leads the league in pace of play. Chicago has been burned by fast teams all season. Eric Gordon is returns tonight for the Rockets. There’s no reason Houston shouldn’t win easily Saturday night. Obviously, if they come out with no energy and have a performance like the Miami Disaster, anything could happen. I think the Rockets have learned their lesson. Entering tonight’s contest, Houston had 2 days off in a row for the first time all season. It’s given the team needed time to work on their defensive schemes, and hopefully reassess their effort as a group. Eric Gordon and anyone else feeling banged up had to time to heal. Look for a Rockets taming of the young inexperienced Bulls tonight.

What’s seemingly become a nightly possibility, James Harden breaking records, could happen again tonight. Ironically, Harden has a chance to pass two Bulls legends on Saturday night, while playing in Chicago. It’s not a big game. The Rockets are heavily favored, even with a letdown (especially on the road) possibly lurking. The stage doesn’t matter for Harden. He loves to hoop. You won’t see Harden taking a game off for “load management.” Not anytime soon. He even scoffed at the idea earlier this week. Hopefully, the extra day off gave the Beard time to find his shooting rhythm. If the Beard can muster a 45-piece tonight, he’ll pass Jordan for most points in NBA history through 9 games to start a season. 45’s also the number Jordan wore when he came back from retirement. It’d be only fitting to see the Beard drop 45 points, in rhythm with his jumper again. Harden is 22 points away from passing Scottie Pippen on the NBA’s All-Time scoring list. A feat that probably will happen tonight. I wouldn’t bet against the 45-Piece. Comparable to 25 points for the average player, Harden is more than capable of dropping 45 on a weak Bulls team.

Houston’s had two days off. Hopefully, they’ve used the extra time to focus on approaching games with more energy. Schedule gods have been kind to the Rockets early in the season, Houston’s only played two teams with a winning record. However, they’ve lost to both teams (Bucks and Heat). The Rockets two road wins have come by single digits, over the Wizards and Grizzlies. Two bottom feeders for their respective conferences. Houston should tame the Bulls easily tonight. Chicago is another one of the worst teams the league has to offer in today’s NBA. In the NBA of the 90’s, the Bulls were the most dominant team of the decade, winning six championships. The reason: the most feared duo in NBA history: Scottie Pippen played Robin to Michael Jordan’s Batman… perfectly (that famous Laker duo, Kobe and Shaq, both wanted to be Batman). Chicago started that whole duo trend which is now all the craze in the league today: find a superstar… and team up. Except Jordan and Pippen were both drafted by the Bulls. Two superstars drafted by the same organization, playing together in their primes. Talk about rare. It resulted in six titles in eight years for the city of Chicago. That’s rare. Tonight, Harden has a chance to pass Batman and Robin with another heavy scoring night. More importantly, Houston needs to show the effort on defense from the opening tip. Otto Porter Jr., Chicago’s best three-point shooter is out with an injury tonight. Expect Lauri Markannen to be a pest in the paint against Houston tonight. The young big man can beat his man from inside and out. Chiacgo’s young stud Zach Lavine will look to drive much of the night. Houston needs to be set for his attacks on the rim. A big night from the Bulls’ young up-and-coming All-Stars is the best Chicago has for an upset. Otherwise, the Rockets should blast off against this young Bulls team. Houston needs to show maturity, put away Chicago’s hopes early, and afterwards… they can admire a 45-Piece from… the James Harden.

 

United Center:  Chicago, Illinois

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (5-3):  Black

Chicago Bulls (3-6):  Red

 

TV:  7 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW

Rockets Blow By Weakened Warriors for Balanced 129-112 Victory

Cruise Control.    Sort-of-Revenge.    Bad Habits at Bay.

Finally, the road to winning a game as expected happened for Houston. The Rockets got off to a slow start but broke loose in the second quarter, and hammered Golden State, 129-112, on Wednesday night. James Harden had 36 points and 13 assists to pace Houston. Alec Burks had 28 to lead the Warriors, but they just didn’t have enough talent to keep up with Harden and company. Golden State’s playoff chances look dim, especially after the recent injuries to Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. With Klay Thomspson expected out for the season, the Warriors have a mountain to climb if they want to return to the playoffs. After a contested start, the Rockets kept the lead on cruise control in the second half. It was the first time all season they didn’t have to sweat out the victory. Houston had their most balanced game of the season as they try and make a push up the crowded Western Conference standings. Russell Westbrook returned from load management with 18 points, 8 boards, and 6 assists. P.J. Tucker had his season high, notching 22 points, on 9 for-22 shooting. Danuel House Jr. continues to thrive in the energy and efficiency departments. The hometown product was the usual pest for the opposition on defense. House also finished with 17 points, and went 4-for-5 from deep as he continues to thrive from downtown. And Clint Capela finally had a night where he looked like a return to form could be on the horizon. Houston’s big man dropped 19 points, grabbed 16 boards, and blocked 6 shots in his best game of the season. Capela has struggled mightily this year. Hopefully, this result will get him back on track to achieving potential All-Star worthy performances on a nightly basis.

All of these stats are somewhat meaningless because Golden State is one of the worst teams in the league this year. Nonetheless, it’s a sign the Rockets are moving in the right direction. Houston needs to repeat these balanced efforts against winning teams to prove they’re amongst the NBA’s elite. Despite the Warriors’ superstars missing the game with injuries, the Rockets some sort of revenge. Beating a team that has been the ire of their dreams for 5 years. Having your season fall short to the same franchise 4 out of 5 years. Something that’s always going to sting, no matter who’s donning the jerseys for Golden State’s franchise. The Beard managed trolled the Warriors in a subtle manner after the game. He responded to a reporter with the remark, “Hopefully Klay, KD, & Steph get back soon.” Acting like he doesn’t know Durant is in Brooklyn, the jab was funny. Harden knows all too well, like the rest of us, that Durant is a Net. The Beard also knows the Warriors won’t be good for a very long time.  His remark was a way of saying “hopefully all those superstars will get back healthy, because that’s the only way Golden State can be a contender.” And Harden happens to be right. The Rockets need to use their defeats, like past crushing ones at the hands of the Warriors, as motivation. They need to channel this energy and balance of play all nights. It can’t just be when you’re beating up on an old rival. This blowout was just one regular season victory, but Houston needs to keep tallying up wins in a Western Conference thats more competitive than ever. The contests against the league’s best will truly show everyone what the Rockets are made of. Unfortunately, they’ve only played one elite team, Milwaukee, and that was on opening night. Houston got crushed by Miami, who is competitive, but they don’t have a chance at the East crown, which is a possibility for the Bucks. The Rockets just need to keep on rolling until the Clippers come to town next week for an early-season Conference showdown.

Houston won’t play at home again until next Wednesday. They travel to Chicago on Saturday to face the Bulls. It’s another very winnable game for the Rockets. But they’ve got to keep bad habits at bay. Houston hasn’t been nearly as good away from home as they have at the Toyota Center. Starting with a win over the Bulls on Saturday, the Rockets can start to put bad habits to bed. Houston’s next two contests are on the road against inferior opponents (Chicago, New Orleans). If the Rockets play like they did in Wednesday’s beatdown, they should win both of these games. Houston needs to get off to hot start. It sounds simple but it’s easier said than done. Unlike against Golden State, there won’t be any added motivation to inspire the Rockets to be the aggressor early, in order to avoid close, nail-biting victories. Houston has to drive themselves to win these games over inferior competition. The squad’s capable of intensity of the highest-order professionally. Guys like P.J. Tucker, Danuel House, and Russell Westbrook all built their names on their aggressive nature. There’s no reason the Rockets can’t bring a high level of aggression every night. Houston’s got a team built to play tough. It’s time the Rockets show that intensity away from Toyota Center. Or else it’ll be the same old story on the road.

Rockets and Warriors Meet for First Time Under Vastly Different Circumstances

A Tale of Two Teams.    Rocket Demons.    Golden Opportunity.

They’re finally back. The team Houston was “built” to beat, according to Rockets GM Daryl Morey. Except this time, these guys will be looking completely different on the court. The balance of power has switched. Bullies no more are the Warriors to the NBA. They’ve fallen to bottom of the pile. Which could be a nasty trick against the Rockets. Houston needs to respect this Golden State squad, as if they weren’t injured, and were the semi-dynastic team of the past. “Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope.” A Lion King quote spoken by the wise Mufasa. One the Rockets need to take to heart if they ever want to wear the NBA’s crown. Houston has fallen back into their nasty habit of playing down to their competition. A trait that could eventually prove the Rockets downfall if they cannot start taking each night’s opponent seriously. No matter the talent-level on the other side. James Harden and company had this bad habit last year and it’s carrying over into this season through 7 games. Well, the Rockets have another chance to prove they can turn the page and show improvements on defense and shooting. A foe that used to be a leaping antelope in this league has now been reduced to a crawling ant. One that should be squashed but won’t, if the Rockets enter the game with lazy confusion and disrespect for their opponent. An occurrence that’s happened far too often this season.

A golden opportunity to get on a winning streak awaits Houston as they take on the Golden State Warriors tonight. A statement I never thought I’d say a year ago. How times change so quickly now in the NBA. Golden State’s time as kings of the NBA has ended. The dynasty is over. Last time these two teams met, they were vying for a spot in the Conference Finals. Tonight, will be much different. The new-look Rockets have Russell Westbrook this time around, among other new pieces. And virtually a team full of new faces will be in the lineup for Golden State. Kevin Durant jettisoned to Brooklyn in the offseason. Other core members from the juggernaut that was (Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green) are all out with injuries as well. Thompson’s expected to miss the season. Curry recently broke his hand and will be out for months, and Green will miss at least the next 3 games. Before the season, the Warriors had hopes of making the playoffs. However, these injuries have hampered their expectations for the season. Curry’s broken hand was the final nail in the coffin for Golden State’s playoff hopes.

One would think Houston would enter this game eager to give the Warriors a beatdown, no matter the competition. It’s still the same franchise that ended the Rockets season 4 of the last 5 years. However, Houston’s been dealing with their own “Rocket Demons.” Through 7 games, it’s been a tale of two teams in Houston. The team with the talent to win a championship. Two superstars, hungry veterans, and players who know their role. Fighting against the team that’s too cool for school, and think they can skate through the regular season. It’s a battle the Rockets will deal with all season long, until their performances begs the differ. Houston against their own inner “Rocket Demons.” It’s the most important battle of all for the squad. And one that will ultimately reveal if Houston is up to the task of winning a championship.

Instead of the famous guys, the Warriors starting lineup will consist of a bunch of unknowns in the NBA, in terms of potential. Something along the likes of: Eric Paschall, Jordan Poole, Willie Cauley-Stein, Glenn Robinson III Ky Bowman. The Rockets should beat the brakes off of these guys. But, Golden State still has Steve Kerr, and they’re going to play hard. That’s not a question. The question is will Houston finally respect their competition and play together. Accomplishing this results in a Rockets win by 20. If not, it could be another close win for the Rockets. A loss? That would be downright embarrassing. Houston can’t afford to fall to 4-4, not at the hands of tonight’s opposition. Eric Gordon had his best game of the season on Monday. EG’s still severely struggled on the season, and he’ll be out tonight with a sore hamstring injury. The rest of the Rockets need to find a groove and hope EG can finally look like the Splash Gordon of past when he returns. Danuel House Jr. and Ben McLemore have been exceptional They should see more playing time tonight. And we’ll see if James Harden has a vendetta against the team that’s been the thorn in his side for the past 5 years. The Beard could drop 60 if he wanted. A win, and chemistry is more important. The game shouldn’t even be close enough for Harden to warrant playing enough minutes to score 50. Until Houston proves they can get off to a hot start and hold the lead, Harden will continue to play taxing extra minutes that will wear down his body in the future. 

The Rockets need to start respecting their opposition, no matter the talent level of their opposition. This is a game Houston should win, easily. However, the Rockets have had one of the league’s easiest schedules to start the year, and they’ve failed to seize this opportunity. Every win’s been within 7 points. All coming against teams with losing records. And to be painfully honest… all ugly games they could have easily lost. Houston has yet to sit back, relax, and win comfortably. Something all champions manage to do throughout the season, especially on nights like tonight. It’s time the Rockets exacts some revenge and blow the Warriors out of town. Houston needs to take advantage of the moment given to them tonight. If they can’t… in this season of golden opportunities… they’ll never be king.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Golden State Warriors (2-5):  Yellow

Houston Rockets (4-3):  Red

 

TV:  6:30 PM CT – ESPN, ATT Sportsnet SW