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Rockets Host Wolves, Home Stand Comes to a Close

 

Primetime.    Subbing Stars.    Focus In.

 

The MVP debate continues to get closer, as we focus in towards the end of the season. Anyone who’s followed the Rockets closely this season knows James Harden is the clear-cut player who deserves the award. However, he’s going up against a lot of competition. Voter fatigue. The hate he inspires from others. Despite all of this, Harden continues to play like the NBA’s true MVP. The Beard put up the most versatile stat-line in the league in Houston’s win over Phoenix on Friday. Milwaukee’s “Greek Freak” had 52 points today, although in a loss. Harden is questionable tonight, as he’s dealing with a neck strain.

The Rockets and Timberwolves face off at Toyota Center on Sunday night in Houston. The Wolves won’t be headed to the playoffs, and shouldn’t be a problem for the Rockets. Although this team is better than the Suns team Houston barely beat on Friday night. The Rockets, as a team, need to come with more energy from the opening tip. Luckily for Houston, Chris Paul will be returning. Regardless if Harden plays, Houston should win this game. Minnesota is coming off consecutive losses by 20 points or more. The Rockets will try and add to that streak on Sunday night.

Houston’s 4-game home-stretch comes to an end tonight. The squad will try and put together another winning streak of their own before they hit the road for two games. Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins are still talented players who give defenses trouble. Clint Capela and the Eric Gordon has huge chances to thrive if Harden doesn’t play tonight. The Rockets need to focus in, and if need be, win one without their MVP.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

Jersey Colors:

Minnesota Timberwolves (32-37):  White

Houston Rockets (43-26):  Black

 

TV:  8 PM CT – ESPN, ATT Sportsnet SW

 

House Party:  Harden, House lead Rockets over Suns, 108-102

 

He’s Back.    Brick Wall.    Post Up in the Shade.  

 

He’s finally back. No, the Beard. Not CP3. Not Clint. I’m talking about Houston’s own Danuel House Jr. After months of contract negotiations, Danuel House Jr. returned to action in for the first time in 25 games. On Friday night, House proved why he deserves to be a in a Rockets uniform. The NBA’s most valuable role player put on another display of defensive dominance and clutch shooting that helped lift the Rockets to a comeback victory over the Suns, 108-102, on Friday night. House finished with 18 points, on stellar shooting, which he’s provided the entire season. House shot 6 of 11 overall, including 4 for 8 from long range. The most valuable asset the man brings is his basketball IQ. Specifically, House knows where to be on every play. His keen sense-of-spacing on the court is uncanny for a player with his amount of experience. House knows when to attack, and he knows when to stand back. Always at the right time. He had two huge blocks and hit several clutch 3’s to propel the Rockets to victory over Phoenix. House changes things for Houston, in the best possible way. Danuel House plays hard on every, single play.

The only person who comes to mind that brings House-level energy and hustle, is P.J. Tucker. Tuck’s one of the best corner 3-point shooters in the league. But, P.J.’s inconsistent from the field. (you CANNOT say that about his effort and energy). House has consistently shot the ball well in almost every game Houston’s let him play in this season. In 13 games as a starter, House is shooting a whopping 48% from beyond the arc. His effort matches Tucker’s, but aspects of each one’s games balance out. Which works for the Rockets. P.J. Tucker is the toughest man you will ever come across on a basketball court. And, the player most comparable to a brick-wall. Danuel House is more consistent than P.J., who can have off shooting-nights, as been witnessed too many times this season. House also plays well in tandem with James Harden. He knows when to help out and when to let the Beard do his thing. It’s like they can read each other’s minds on the court. And, it’s amazing to watch. Just watch they’re spacing the next time they’re on the floor together. You won’t hear this discussed in the media, but Harden is more comfortable around House. Why? I don’t know. But for some reason, House’s presence brings out a more lethal Harden. Maybe, it’s House’s selflessness, or maybe they just click. But go back to the win over Golden State on Jan. 3^rd, Houston’s most impressive of the season, and House was the 2^nd most valuable perimeter player for the Rockets (Capela had a huge night in the paint), besides the Beard.

Speaking of Harden, he returned to MVP form. The Beard torched the Suns for 41 points, 9 boards, 11 assists, 6 steals, and 3 blocks. A crazy stat-line, that displays Harden’s versatility. He’s not just a scorer. And he plays defense. Believe it or not, but James Harden is the best post-defender in the NBA, period. He’s been irritating and disrupting the league’s top big-men in the post all season. The Beard made the league’s preseason ROY in DeAndre Ayton, look like just another rookie. Harden’s defense in the post, and overall has improved as the season’s moved along. If you’re a big in today’s NBA, posting up on James might not be the best idea. You can try. But, you’ll lose sight of the ball. Harden attacks the ball and uses his strength to bait big men into thinking they have a mismatch. The Beard’s ability to switch gears on defense, another form of his manipulation, is something that has been fooling opposing bigs on offense all season.

Harden’s post-defense has been a marvel to watch. He literally has the keenest of abilities to strip the ball and disrupt whomever he’s guarding in the post. Big men still don’t see it coming. Yet, time, and time again, they try and score on Harden in the paint. With House back, the Rockets are in full-force. Similar to how Harden’s underestimated on defense, the Rockets are discredited as contenders by NBA “experts”. These experts might be wrong. We’re still a long ways from the playoffs, but House’s return makes me comfortable. This team can finally run it back. No, no to the Western Finals. All the way to the Championship. If Houston keeps trust in House, the trophy could finally be coming back.

Rockets Bask in Opportunity to Launch as Suns Arrive

 

Back to Business.    Launching Pad.    Get the House on Fire.

 

            It’s time to get back to business. The Rockets aim to prove Wednesday was just a small hiccup in the road. The Phoenix Suns arrive in town for a Friday night matchup. Houston should have no issues with Suns, unless they play down to their competition. Phoenix has young talent in Devon Booker and DeAndre Ayton, but as a team, they’re not a close to contending. The Rockets need to use this game as their launching pad to give them a boost for the rest of the regular season. Houston’s schedule is fairly easy in the remaining 14 games. Denver, meanwhile, has a brutal schedule. It took a Joker buzzer-beater to beat the Mavs in at home for the Nuggets. Houston still has a chance of grabbing the second seed. Look for the Rockets to play as a team tonight. Expect to see Danuel House Jr. begin to be reintegrated into the lineup. It’s always good when the House is on fire for the Rockets. It’s time to start warming him up.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Phoenix Suns (16-53):  Black

Houston Rockets (42-26):  Red

 

TV:  7 PM CT – ATT Sportsnet SW

 

Rockets Comeback Falls Short, Warriors Travel By Houston, 106-104

 

Hosed.    Good Loss.    Wake-Up Call.

 

Houston kept the game close, but their comeback ultimately came up short. The Rockets sweep attempt of the Warriors came up short on Wednesday night. The Warriors walked away with the victory after the Rockets had stormed back from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit. The refs, on the other hand, were tired, and wanted to go home. It was a late start. The latest in Houston all season. The game started at 8:30 PM local time and by the time the seconds were winding down to end the game, the officials simply didn’t care to if Stephen Curry travelled or not. And Curry did travel. Blatantly. In one of the most egregiously missed calls I’ve ever witnessed, they allowed the one-way player to hop, and then dribble again, essentially travelling and committing a double-dribble violation on the same play. Nonetheless, Houston should have won. The officials will never get it right. The Rockets have to know this by now, and they can’t afford to fall behind. Still, with poor officiating, the team never gave up and fought back to almost win in a valiant effort.

There’s no such thing as a good loss. However, for Houston, Wednesday night’s defeat was nothing to be ashamed of, compared to other losses this season. You could even say they returned to their earlier season trend of playing down to their competition. Despite the victory, Golden State didn’t play great. The Rockets defense wasn’t as good as it had been in recent games, but it still held the Warriors to 106 points, well below their average. If Houston’s offense hadn’t disappeared, they would have easily won Wednesday’s contest. The Rockets shots just weren’t falling, and the offense got stagnant at times in the game. Houston’s at their best when the ball is moving and everyone is getting in on the action.

The Rockets needed a wake-up call. They were cruising through the regular season. And, their confidence was getting too high after winning 9 in row. The squad needed a reality-check. Like the best NCAA teams, it’s always good to get at least a few losses instead of going into the tournament undefeated, therefore you’ve measured some adversity in the past. After cruising through the East’s elite, the Rockets got a slight check back to reality with their narrow loss to Golden State. Houston has plenty to work on. Integrating Nene into the rotation to help on DeMarcus Cousins, when these two squads inevitably meet again in the Western Conference Finals this May. And, most importantly, plugging Danuel House Jr. back into the lineup. House provided valuable assets for the squad, and when he played on the floor, the Rockets performed at a higher level. Until then, Houston will look to wade through the rest of the regular season and get the 2 or 3 seed for the playoffs. And when they meet Golden State, it should be close, but the Rockets will be ready, having learned from their mistakes.

 

 

Rockets, Warriors, Clash in Final Regular Season Matchup

 

The Champion’s Number.    Houston’s House.    Statement Game?

 

“The beauty of the NBA is that on Wednesday night we have an opportunity to send a statement”, Steph Curry said before his team’s embarrassing home loss to the Suns on Sunday night. Golden State’s guard already had Houston on his mind. How could he not? The Rockets have won 5 of the 6 previous matchups between the two teams, including last year’s playoffs. Tonight marks the final regular season tilt between Houston and Golden State, the NBA’s two best teams (despite what the records say). The Rockets know it.  And more importantly, so do the Warriors. They won’t admit it, but they know Houston is a legit threat to their title as NBA Champions. A sweep at the hands of the Rockets would send quite the statement back at Curry and his team.  Kevin Durant is out tonight with an injury for the Warriors, but Golden State, as always, boasts plenty of firepower.

The Rockets are red hot, riding the NBA’s longest winning streak at 9 games. Houston is looking to become the first team in the Steve Kerr-era to sweep the Golden State Warriors during the regular season. Like it or not, the Houston Rockets have the Champion’s number. Something about playing Golden State brings out the absolute best in the Rockets. They play their hardest, they play together, and they truly “Run As One”, as their slogan claims. Houston also plays hungrier than ever when facing the Champs. The Rockets aren’t over their loss in the Western Conference Finals last season. A series, they know they would have won had Chris Paul not gone down with the injury.

This regular season, Houston has dominated Golden State. The Rockets are 3-0 against the Warriors. But, it’s not just the record. Houston beat Golden State in the last game without James Harden, on the road. In the previous matchup, they beat the Warriors again in Oracle Arena, this time without Chris Paul and Eric Gordon. The Rockets have proven it doesn’t matter who they put out on the floor. They’ve got the Champs’ number. And as of yesterday, they got their House back.

Danuel House Jr. is a officially a Houston Rocket again.   The Houstonian reached an agreement with the Rockets and is signed with the team for the remainder of the season. House was sensational in his 25 games with Houston. The Rockets went 16-9, with House in the lineup. Many of those games were during Houston’s most difficult stretch of the season. Chris Paul was injured and the Rockets faced the toughest portion of their schedule. Meanwhile, House moved himself from an unknown bench player to a starter in a matter of games. The grit and energy he plays with made House a fan favorite. Houston realized they needed him if they’re going to achieve their ultimate goal of winning a title. The Rockets sent a statement of their own yesterday by bring back their House.

So, Steph Curry and the Warriors think it’s a statement game? I guess they feel the need to prove they can beat Houston. Considering they’ve done it once in their last 6 tries. And that one time was without Chris Paul against an inferior squad. Don’t let the records fool you. This Rockets team is better than last year’s squad. That group made it to within one game of the NBA Finals. Houston’s record may be worse, but this year’s team is a lot better. It just took a while to work out the kinks. And with Danuel House back in Rockets Red, Houston’s ready to make this year’s playoffs more than just a deep run, but a run to remember. Curry was right when he said Wednesday’s game is a statement game. It’s not a good look to get swept by any team in the regular season. Especially, when you’re the back-to-back defending Champions, with 5 All-Stars in their prime. Or maybe this Warriors team isn’t the best in the NBA this season. No matter who wins tonight’s contest, one thing is clear. Golden State will be the favorite heading into the playoffs, regardless of their record or seeding. They’ve earned that, and they should be the favorite. Although, something else has become clear as well. It’s been a crazy and wild NBA season. And anything is possible when Houston is healthy. Maybe, just maybe, the Rockets will emerge and dethrone the Warriors. How sweet it would be… the beauty of the NBA.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Golden State Warriors (45-21):  White

Houston Rockets (42-25):  Black

 

TV:  8:30 PM CT – ESPN, ATT Sportsnet SW

 

Rockets Squash Hornets, 118-106, Win 9^th Straight

 

Early Boost.    Healthy Returns.    Back to the Flash.

 

Add another game to Houston’s winning streak. The Rockets put away the Hornets early, and made sure it was never close on Monday night. Houston defeated Charlotte, 118-106, to move their winning streak to 9 games. The Rockets withstood a stellar performance from Kemba Walker, to inch close to the top of the West. Walker had 40 points for Charlotte, and kept the contest mildly competitive. Houston’s defense jumped on the Hornets to the start the game. Charlotte managed only 19 points in the first quarter, and the Rockets held the Hornets to only 44 points at halftime. Houston held on in the second half. Led by James Harden, with 28 points and 10 assists, the Rockets staved off a Hornets comeback attempt, one that never got very close. A great sign for Houston as they keep bad teams out of games.

Monday’s game was only the second of the season with a completely healthy roster for the Houston Rockets. They’ve been relatively healthy since Clint Capela returned, but have had minor injuries to several bench players. Particularly Iman Shumpert, and Kenneth Faried. Capela had a monster night on the glass, and finished with 19 points and 15 boards. The Manimal’s return last night gave Houston a completely healthy squad, and the Rockets looked good having a full unit together. Faried didn’t miss a beat, returning to action with 16 points and 9 rebounds. They led by 29 points at one point in the contest over Charlotte. The Hornets aren’t a contender, but the Rockets are finally beating the teams they’re supposed to beat. It’s a trend that follows championship teams. And it was missing earlier in the season for Houston.

Eric Gordon’s shooting was also missing at the start of the season. But EG’s finally returned to form. Slash Gordon continues to roll for the Rockets, and scored 22 points on the evening. Flash Gordon has arguably been Houston’s most consistent offensive player since the All-Star break. Slash Gordon’s ability to drive to the basket, combined with his lethal shooting from deep, makes EG hard to contain when he’s playing at potential. And Splash Gordon has been huge during the Rockets’ current winning streak. Gordon’s aggressiveness on both ends doesn’t get enough attention. He commands focus from defenses and it opens up so much for the rest of Houston’s offense. EG also is a strong defender, and isn’t afraid to back down from anyone on defense. They’ll need EG to continue his resurgence, as the Golden State Warriors come to town as the Rockets next opponent. It’s the last matchup between the NBA’s 2 best teams. Houston will be facing Golden State with a healthy roster for the first time all season. They’re also looking to become the first team to sweep Steve Kerr’s Warriors in the regular season. On Wednesday night, the Rockets have a chance to add an impressive victory to their winning streak.

 

 

 

 

Rockets Return Home, Face Hornets, Go For 9 Wins in a Row

 

Home Cookin’.    Fun Meters.    Not Too Far.

 

         The Rockets are buzzing and having fun again. Coming off their 8^th straight win, a grind-out defensive victory over Dallas, Houston returns home for their next 4 games. On Monday night, the Rockets host the Charlotte Hornets. Houston hasn’t lost at home since February 9^th, when they gave up a 26-point lead to the Thunder. The Rockets have a great chance to keep moving up the standings. They’re only 4 games out of the 1-seed, Golden State, who they play on Wednesday. The Rockets are only 3 games behind the second seed, Denver, who they play in a few weeks in Houston. This is the third game in 4 nights for the Rockets. If the squad can fight tired legs, they should be able to pull out the victory over an inferior Hornets-squad. Charlotte has lost 8 of 11, but still remain only a game out of the eighth seed in the East. Starting tonight, Houston has an opportunity to cook some more wins together during this home-stretch portion of the schedule.

A lot of factors can measure how well a team is playing. One of the key factors for Houston is the vastly important Eric Gordon Fun Meter. Earlier in the season when Houston was struggling Gordon said, “I’m just not having fun anymore.” Oh, how things can change throughout an NBA season. Gordon got off to a slow start to the campaign. However, Mike D’Antoni tinkered with the lineup, and EG’s efficiency has risen since being swapped into the starting group. Gordon is currently playing his best ball of the season. His shooting is a major reason the Rockets currently own the NBA’s longest winning streak. And why, EG, and the Rockets, are having plenty of fun nights. When Splash Gordon’s having fun making it rain from deep, Houston’s nearly impossible to beat. Gordon is the third guy besides Harden and Paul, who can create his own shot, and for others, offensively. EG also is one of the most underrated players defensively in the entire league. Night-in and night-out he can be seen overcoming defensive challenges. When the rest of the squad is playing defense like Gordon, Tucker, and Paul, the Rockets are a scary team to try and beat.

Houston can’t overlook the Hornets. We all know who waits on the horizon. The Warriors. Houston’s final regular-season matchup against Golden State is on Wednesday. They can’t look too far ahead. The Rockets need to focus on Monday night, and a Charlotte team coming in that has the talent to be a threat to Houston. First-time All-Star, Kemba Walker, one the most underrated players in the league, can have explosive nights offensively. The Hornets play hard, and if Houston comes out lacking focus, the Rockets’ winning streak may come to an unfortunate end, against another inferior opponent. It’s been two and half weeks since Houston last lost. The Rockets can’t afford to fall to any more teams they’re expected to beat. Houston should be able to muster up enough energy to quiet Charlotte’s buzz, and push the winning-streak to 9 games. As long as they find Eric Gordon on offense, it should be a fun night.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Charlotte Hornets (30-36):  Black

Houston Rockets (41-25):  Red

 

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

Paul Wall: CP3’s Block Seals Rockets’ Win Over Mavs, 94-93

 

CPD.    Grind a Way.    Holding On.

 

Houston survived to win a nail-biter in Dallas on Sunday night, 94-93. It wasn’t pretty, but the victory gives the Rockets a season-high 8 in a row. Chris Paul had a game-saving block as time-expired on Jalen Brunson to preserve the victory. CP3 only had 9 points, but he dished out 9 dimes, and his defense was stellar in the clutch. Paul’s been struggling with his shot, shooting 5 for 29 from the field over his past 3 games. Yet, as in tonight, Paul’s still having an impact, and helping Houston find ways to win. Brunson had a good look, but Paul made sure it had no chance of going in. Despite his shooting slump, the Point God’s passing and defense has been spectacular (as it’s been his entire career). CP3 passed Isiah Thomas among the NBA’s All-Time Assists Leaders, moving into the number 7 spot on the list. Paul’s passing and ability to control the pace have been the major forces fueling the Rockets’ winning streak. Harden and Paul combined to shoot an ugly 9 for 36 from the field. Houston’s offense crashed on a night the defense and hustle grinded out the victory.

James Harden had arguable one of his worst games of the season. The Beard’s 28-point game streak was snapped. Harden finished with only 20 points, particularly due to foul trouble. He picked up his fifth foul early in the second half, which led to an extended period of the Beard bench-warming. The Rockets still managed to grind out the victory. P.J. Tucker was spectacular on the defensive end, guarding Luka Doncic for most of the night. Clint Capela had a solid game inside with 17 points and 12 rebounds. However, the Rockets biggest source of shooting fuel came from Eric Gordon, who picked up the slack on offense with Harden in foul trouble. EG finished with 26 points on 10 of 20 from the field, as his late season resurgence continues for Houston. When Gordon is playing well, the Rockets are nearly unbeatable. There’s a reason his hot-streak and Houston’s have coincided at the same time.

The Rockets held on to win in a game that was closer than expected on Sunday night. Houston led by 9 entering the final frame, and almost surrendered another fourth quarter-lead. Shots may not be falling, but the squad’s defense has vastly improved. It’s the reason the Rockets won in Dallas. They had a torrid shooting night as a team, but grinded out the victory on defense. Houston has now held their last 3 opponents under 100 points. That 3-game mark is an impressive feat in today’s NBA, where it’s not unusual to see 120 or more on the scoreboard many nights. The Rockets are still holding onto the 3-seed in the West. The 2-seed, and even the 1-seed, with Golden State’s embarrassing loss to Phoenix, is still in reach for Houston. They Rockets were lucky to escape Dallas with a victory. They return home on an 8-game winning streak, and face the Charlotte Hornets tomorrow night. It’s the third game in 4 nights for Houston. They’ll try and survive against a pesky Hornets team, fighting for their playoff lives.

 

Rockets Zoom Into Dallas, Face Dirk’s Mavs One Last Time

 

Game-Changers.    Fairwell, Frenemy.    Past, Present, Future.

 

Game-changers. Jordan. Magic. Bird. Wilt. Certain players are synonymous with their impact on the game of basketball. To an extent to where they become even bigger than the game itself. If your franchise gets a game-changing player, consider yourself lucky. They are few and far between. However, the Rockets and Mavericks are  both fortunate enough to boast game-changing players. As one of Houston’s greatest rivals, I despise the Mavericks. On Sunday night, the Rockets travel to Dallas, a city they’ve been time and time again. To battle a Mavs team they’ve faced frequently over the years, and will see plenty of again in the future. Except this time, it’s feels different. Yes, Houston is rolling, going for 8 straight wins. The Rockets are playing atmospheric basketball, especially on defense. But, tonight marks the last time Houston faces Dirk Nowitzki.

Legend is an over-used word. Not in Dirk’s case. This man started basketball’s revolution of big men launching threes and kicking Dirty-Dirk step-backs. The German Race Car pioneered the European evolution of the game. And now, 21 years later, at age 40, he’s on his final lap. Dirk might not be as fast or effective as the showstopper he once was, but as a player and person, Nowitzki’s influence on the NBA cannot be overstated, nor dismissed. It would be remiss not to recognize the impact Dirk’s had on the game. Some players truly change the game for the better. Without Dirk, basketball wouldn’t be the same.

Since 1998, he’s been a thorn in Houston’s side. There are too many painful Rocket-memories involving Dirk-Destruction. But, Nowitzki made the game a better place. Sports need true, valiant competitors like Dirk. Even though the Rockets won’t miss having to face Dirk, the game will miss his face a lot more. I’m glad the days of Dirk wrecking destruction on Houston in the playoffs is over. But, part of me grieves what the game is losing. The NBA won’t be the same. Despite losing Dirk, Dallas got lucky again, of course. Well, they were smart. The Mavs traded for All-Star Kristaps Porzingis, but it’s what Dallas did before the season that was more impactful. They drafted Luka Doncic, the best rookie in this year’s class. The Slovenian sensation has the poise and potential to be a future game-changing talent in this league.

Houston is the hottest team in basketball. The Rockets look to even the season series in their final Dallas duel this season. Houston can’t take their foot off the gas. They’re only 3 games from claiming the second seed out West. Dallas is tougher at home, as opposed to the road. Dallas is a woeful 6-27 on the road but the Mavs are 21-11 at home, and a much more formidable opponent in American Airlines Center. However, Dallas has lost 4 straight and looks to be focusing on the race for Zion. Look for the Rockets to win their 8^th straight game, and defeat Dirk in their final matchup. The Mavs are a team with a bright future, but they won’t be able to stop the NBA’s hottest team tonight. James Harden won’t let that happen. He’s a modern-day game-changer.

 

American Airlines Center:  Dallas, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (40-25):  White

Dallas Mavericks (27-38):  Black

 

TV:  6 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW

Clamp City:  Surging Rockets Shake Off Sixers, 107-91

 

Lift-Off.    Streaking Streak-busters.    Watch the Game.

 

A month into the season, the Houston Rockets were left for dead.  An early-season hangover led to an 11-14 start. But, you know what they say, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.  The Rockets finished off the 76ers with little resistance, 107-91, on Friday night.  Other than Tobias Harris, no one was much of a factor for Philadelphia.  James Harden led the way for Houston as he’s done all season.  The Beard shook off a hard fall to his wrist and had 31 points, 10 boards, and 7 dimes.  Eric Gordon, who’s really starting to find his rhythm, finished with 17 points, and Gerald Green chipped in with 14 on the scoreboard. Clint Capela is rounding back into pre-injury form.  Capela finished with 18 points and 9 boards for the night.  The Rockets have lifted off and are playing out of this world.

Houston’s now in the midst of their longest winning-streak of the season, 7 games, while playing their best basketball of the year.  The game also marked Harden’s 40^th consecutive night with at least 28 points, second in NBA history.  Entering the contest, Philly had the NBA’s longest-active streak scoring at least 100 points, at 28. Houston’s defense ended that streak on Friday night, as Houston had another dominant defensive performance.

P.J. Tucker set the example on defense, from the start.  Tucker drew 2 charges on Amir Johnson, and forced the Sixers into foul-trouble early.  The NBA’s Hustle King continues to play with energy and grit that is worthy of recognition.  Chris Paul noticed.  In postgame comments, Paul said on Tucker, “there’s no question Tuck should be all defense… watch the game and you’ll see his value.”  The Sneaker King’s value has been contagious.  After the game, Coach Mike D’Antoni said Tucker is like “the glue of everything.”  The Rockets as a team have vastly improved on the defensive end since intermission. Before the break, Houston was ranked 25^th in defensive rating.  During this winning-streak, the Rockets’ defensive rating has been 8^th in the league.  Houston’s even held 2 of the top 10 scoring teams in the NBA (Toronto and Philly) to under 100 points.

Since the All-Star break, Houston is 7-1.  Now, they find themselves in sole possession of the 3 seed in the West.  The Rockets are even in striking distance of Denver for the 2 seed.  A scenario that seemed like an afterthought, only weeks ago.  In about a month, the playoffs will get under way.  Who’s the biggest threat to the Warriors throne?  Denver’s held onto the 2-seed all season.  They’ve got a shot.  Many think Oklahoma City or Portland has the best chance.  Well, in case you haven’t noticed, the Rockets are back.  And if you don’t think they’ll be the ones battling Golden State in May, put down your phone.  And watch the game.