Blog

Rockets Look to Stir Up Hornets’ Nest in Charlotte

 

Ride the Wave.    Hollow Hornets.    Lead the Road.

 

There’s nothing like playing the Champs.  It brings a different buzz to the arena.  The Rockets know all about this, and so do the Hornets.  The Champs were in Charlotte on Monday night, as the Hornets couldn’t muster enough resistance to put up a fight.  Charlotte’s lost 4 of its last 5 games, and is clinging to the 8^th , and final playoff spot in the East.  On Wednesday night, the Rockets cruise into Charlotte looking to up the gear on their winning streak.  Houston comes in looking for their 3^rd straight win, still riding the momentum from their Saturday night statement-win in the Champs’ house.  James Harden’s 30-point streak was broken on Monday, but the streak ending is a good thing for the Rockets.  The run was becoming a distraction for the team, as great as it was.  Looking at the big picture, it’s good the streak ended on Monday.  Harden had a chance to go for it in the final seconds, but chose otherwise.  Harden’s not quite the stat-padder everyone wants him to be, he’s actually matured as a player.  Maybe he scored all those points because he had to, shouldering a banged up team night-after-night as Houston somehow emerged 21-11 during Harden’s ridiculous tear.  On Monday, 28 points were enough from the Beard, as Houston fended off the Hawks, 119-111.  Now, the Rockets can zone in on the Championship, the only thing worth chasing.   Charlotte’s barely a playoff team and should prove to be no match for the Rockets if Houston brings the focus and intensity.

Houston will look to expose the Charlotte Hornets’ weaknesses tonight.  Their record is under .500, and put Charlotte out West, and they’re nowhere near the NBA Playoff Hive.  The Hornets still have plenty of firepower.  Kemba Walker was a deserved first-time All-Star, and is one of the best players in the league who continues to fly under the radar.  Houston will need to have their eyes on Charlotte’s point guard at all times.  Hornets center Cody Zeller is coming off the best game of his life.  The big man had a career-high 28 points in Charlotte’s previous game against Golden State.  Zeller does a lot of dirty work inside, and plays extremely hard.  He’s not the most talented opponent Clint Capela has faced, but if the Rockets center is caught sleeping, Zeller will take advantage of the lack of effort.  Luckily for Houston, Capela is always active, and they also have a Manimal.  Kenneth Faried is the definition of the word ‘activity.’  The Manimal continues to bring rabid and robust effort and energy every single night.  Coach D’Antoni even opted to start the Manimal in Houston’s previous game.  Faried and Capela have played extremely well together, and it will be interesting to see if D’Anonti keeps Faried in the starting lineup or brings him off the bench.  Regardless, the Manimal has been a perfect fit in Houston, immensely improving the Rockets’ frontcourt depth.  Charlotte also has Rocket-killer Nicolas Batum.  Whether it was in Portland, or now in Charlotte, Batum has always had some of his best games against the Rockets. Houston can’t afford to leave the veteran swingman open, or it could be a long night in Charlotte.  Rookie Miles Bridges has shown signs of promise, but he shouldn’t be much of a threat tonight against the Rockets stronger lineup.  Marvin Williams is expected to play for the Hornets after suffering a toe injury on Monday night.

The Rockets are gunning for 3 wins in a row tonight.  Chris Paul looks like he’s officially back.  Any anxiety about his play after returning from injury can be laid to rest.  The Point God looks as spry as he’s ever been.  This is the Rockets 2^nd game with a completely healthy roster.  They’ll try and pounce on Charlotte early, and see if they can actually hold a  lead on the road for once.  Houston’s done a great job of building leads on the road, but they frequently end up squandering them.  It’s the Rockets worst habit so far this season.  In their last two road games, Houston surrendered leads of 19 or more points.  Tonight, the Rockets need to take care if business early and finish the job.  Only 22 games remain on the schedule.  Houston wants to be as healthy as possible for the playoffs.  Beating opponents you’re supposed to beat helps this cause, and also develops good habits for the postseason.  It’s been a wild, crazy NBA season.  Not just for the Rockets, but for the entire league.  Who knows, in a few months, the Hornets might look back on tonight, and say, “there’s nothing like playing the Champs.”

Spectrum Center:  Charlotte, North Carolina

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (35-25):  Black

Charlotte Hornets (28-32):  White

 

TV:  6 PM CT – ATT Sportsnet SW

Rockets Return Home, Handle Hawks, 119-111

 

The Streak Ends.    Smart Tendencies.    Good Signs Ahead.      

 

In the grand scheme of things it really didn’t matter.  But, oh my!  What a run!  James Harden’s incredible scoring streak came to an end on Monday night, but the Rockets prevailed over the Hawks, 119-111.  The game was closer than Houston would’ve liked, but a win’s a win.  Right now that’s all that matters.  The Rockets are attempting to climb into the fight for a top 3 seed in the West.  Every game matters, and every win gets Houston closer to this goal.  Finishing off Atlanta (a team Houston should beat easily) helped the Rockets move in the right direction.  It looks as if they are done losing to bad teams.  Trae Young showed flashes of why he’s going to be a great player in this league in the near future.  The Hawks’ promising rookie had 36 points on the night, and dished out 8 assists.  Although, this is just one game for the Rockets in terms of finally beating a team they should beat, there were positive signs near the end of the contest.

The Beard’s 30-point streak ended at 32 games, the second longest in NBA history.  When Harden started the steak, Houston was 12-14 and 13^th in the West.  During his scoring tear, the Rockets went 21-11. Houston’s currently 35-25 and sits in 5^th place in the West.  Harden truly played like a superhero during the last few months.  He pulled the Rockets from the depths of the West, back into playoff contention.  It’s a good thing for Harden, and the Rockets, that the streak ended.  The squad has bigger goals to focus on.  The Beard finished with 28 points, 5 boards, and 2 assists.  He didn’t shoot well. Harden looked as if his shoulder was still bothering him.  The Beard had the ball as the clock winded down.  He could have shot it and tried to keep his streak going.  Instead, Harden let the clock run out.  The Rockets MVP knows they’re more important things to this season than a scoring streak.  Houston has bigger goals, and now they can all focus in on the final stretch as the playoffs near.

Harden’s decision to dribble the ball out, and not go for 30 points in the dying seconds, is evidence of his maturity as a player.  Chris Paul had another stellar outing, 2 days after his night of destruction in Golden State.  CP3 finished with 20 points, 8 dimes, and 6 boards.  Paul has the highest basketball IQ of any player in the league and is one of the smartest  players in NBA history.  During Harden’s absence and in this game Paul has shown how valuable he still is to the Rockets.  It’s so pivotal Houston has him healthy for their playoff run.  If CP3 can stay healthy, the Rockets are still the biggest threat to the Warriors.  And it’s not even close.  Houston needs to continue to play smart basketball.  Now that Harden’s streak is over, the team and the Beard can focus on winning as many of the remaining 22 games as possible.    The Rockets can still get the 3 seed (owned by the Thunder).  They only trail Oklahoma City by 4 games, with 2 tough matchups coming up for the Thunder against Denver and Philly, respectively.  If Houston continues to play with smart tendencies, they have an opportunity to move up in the standings.

It’s time the Rockets finally get mentally ready for the biggest run of the season.  The playoffs.  The most important run of them all.  Houston is finally  entirely healthy.  This was the first game all season that the Rockets boasted a completely healthy roster.  Houston can finally start to gel as a full unit, and “Run as One” en route to the highest playoff seeding they can achieve.  Reasonably, the 3 seed is the best outcome.  If the Rockets continue to beat the teams they should, they should have a great chance at grabbing the 3 seed for the playoffs.  Houston’s proven it can battle with the best of the NBA.  Up next are some more average squads as the Rockets travel to Charlotte to face the Hornets before returning home for a game against the Heat.  Houston is in a great place to streak some wins together.  After all they’ve been through throughout this turbulent season, come playoff time, the Rockets will be prepped to make the ultimate run.  The only one that matters.

Rockets Aim to Shoot Young Hawks Out of Town

 

Talented Youngsters.    Home Stretch.    No More Trap Games.

 

Coming off a statement win over the Champs, Houston looks to bring the momentum back home.  The Rockets face off against the Atlanta Hawks tonight at Toyota Center.  The Hawks are one of the youngest teams in the league and boast one of the top 3 rookies in Trae Young.  Atlanta’s star prospect has really hit a stride in the 2^nd half of the season after getting off to a slow start.  The Hawks don’t have a lot of talent, but they’re young and improving.  Dewayne Dedmon is one of the most efficient stat-padders in the league.  Atlanta’s big man won’t overwhelm the Rockets with talent, but he’s gritty and does the dirty work.  Clint Capela is still working his way back to full-speed since his return.  Houston’s big man needs to patrol the paint and get to the loose balls before Dedmon, John Collins, or other Atlanta players swing in for a rebound.  The Hawks are one of the worst teams in the NBA, and the Rockets should be able to take care of business at home.

Speaking of home, 7 of the next 11 games are at Toyota Center.  The Rockets have a nice home stretch awaiting them where they can make some move on the teams ahead of them as they try and claim the 3^rd seed.  OKC sits currently in 3^rd place, 4 games ahead of Houston in the standings.  However, the Thunder face upcoming games against elite opponents in Denver and Philly.  Houston can gain some ground, as their schedule is weak compared to OKC’s.  The Rockets have 3 middling eastern foes to take care of (Hawks, Hornets, Heat) and they can notch a step closer to one of the top 3 seeds.  Houston needs to take care of the league’s bottom-feeders.  Sadly, it’s been the squad’s Achilles heel all season.  Hopefully, the focus from Saturday night’s win will carry over to the final stretch of the season.

Houston faces a different sort of test tonight as they host the “below-average” Atlanta Hawks.  A mental test.  The Rockets have no business losing this game.  Yes, Harden and Shumpert are questionable to play.  But, Harden or no Harden, the Rockets proved last game they can beat anyone on any night.  Houston’s problem has been showing up for games like tonight’s, against Atlanta.  A bad team coming in, the Rockets can’t just lackadaisically show up and expect to win.  They need to start getting up for these bad teams, the way they got up for Saturday night’s statement win.  And tonight, the Rockets can take a step in that direction with a victory tonight.  A win that sends a message: no more trap games.  They’ve got one tonight.  Houston’s lost a fair share of trap games this season.  It’s time that trend comes to an end, with a different sort of statement win.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Atlanta Hawks (20-40):  White

Houston Rockets (34-25):  Black

 

TV:  7 PM CT – ATT Sportsnet SW

Rockets Keep Warriors at Bay Without Harden, 118-112

 

Passing Through.    A Good Problem.    Statement Victory.

Nothing is impossible.  Even beating the defending Champs.  Without the MVP.  In their house.  No Harden, no problem for Houston.  Chris Paul guided the Rockets to victory over the Champs on Saturday night, 118-112.  The win gives Houston a 3-0 lead in the season series over Golden State.  The Rockets led got off to a hot start on both ends.  Houston led 15-0 and by as many as 20 in the first half.  The Warriors would come back to reclaim the lead, but this time Houston had a counterpunch.  Chris Paul had his best game of the season and was masterful as controlling the tempo in this contest.  The Point God sliced and diced his way through the Warriors defense en route to 23 points and 17 assists.  Paul looked like he hadn’t lost a step, and put on his best show since returning from injury.

In a matchup no one expected the Rockets to win, they struck first, and made sure the Warriors could never get enough momentum to take control of the game.  P.J. Tucker had his best game of the season.  The heart and soul of Houston’s hustle found his shooting rhythm and had a typically stout defensive night for the Rockets.  Tucker finished with 18 points and 10 boards to go along with the usual grit and grind.  Kenneth Faried had another double-double in a solid performance, with 20 points and 10 rebounds.  The Manimal has shown he’s more than just a complimentary fit next to Clint Capela.  Houston’s big lineup has worked wonders in the limited time they’ve seen the court so far this season.  Eric Gordon played the role of top scorer, notching 25 for the Rockets, as his ability to make plays and isolate off the dribble helped fill the void left by Harden’s absence.

Last night was Houston’s best team-win of the season.  Everyone got involved in the offense and had at least 6 points.  The Rockets have a good problem on their hands.  It was refreshing to see more ball movement that inevitably comes with Harden’s absence.  However, Harden in isolation is one of Houston’s most-efficient plays.  The Beard can get a shot for himself or others anytime he wants.  Dominating the ball takes teammates out of a rhythm, and is one of the reasons it seems like no one besides Harden can get in a shooting groove longer than 3 games.  Houston needs to find an even balance, the best of both worlds.  The Rockets are SO much more effective defensively when everyone is involved on the offensive end.

Saturday night’s win proved the Rockets can beat anyone on any given night, and also highlighted the biggest issue with the squad this season.  Houston is the only team in the NBA with a better record against winning teams compared to losing teams.  Only in a season like this would Houston get a statement win two days after falling apart, in one of their most devastating losses in L.A.  The Rockets get up to play for the biggest opponents, but have a problem brining this intensity to other matchups.  Houston returns home on Monday night, where this problem will be once again put to the test.  The Rockets host the lowly Atlanta Hawks in a game they should easily win.  If Houston doesn’t come ready to play on Monday they could be in for another disappointing performance in a potential trap game.  This season has proved that anything can happen and nothing is impossible.

Rockets Head to Oracle Searching for a Golden State of Mind

 

Questionable Questions.    Aiming For a First.    Interior Decorations.

 

Houston played down to their competition and let the Lakers come back in a controversial loss in their previous game.  The Rockets limp into Oracle Arena for a primetime matchup with the Warriors on Saturday night.  The defending Champs are sitting pretty atop the Western Standings.  Houston, meanwhile, is playing the dangerous game of walking the thin line between playoff contender and lottery pick.  After giving away another game in their previous contest, the Rockets are clinging to the 5^th seed.  But, Houston’s only 3 games from the 9^th spot, and in danger of falling out of the playoffs.  Nothing is guaranteed in the brutal West.  And tonight, the biggest question is James Harden’s status.  Not even the Beard is a guarantee to go (Harden’s a game-time decision).  But should Houston even play him?  Against the powerhouse Warriors, who will undoubtedly attack Harden every chance they get?  It’s a tough call.

In this ever-unpredictable season, the Rockets seem to come up biggest when you least expect it.  They’ve beaten Golden State twice already this season.  A victory tonight would make them the first team to beat the juggernaut 3 times in a regular season in the Steve Kerr-era.  The Warriors have no doubt circled this game on their calendar since Houston’s epic OT victory at the beginning of the year.  Harden almost single-handedly won that game for the Rockets in a virtuoso performance.  Chris Paul didn’t play in that contest.  If the Beard can’t go tonight, Houston needs CP3 and Clint Capela to have huge performances is they have any chance of winning.  The Rockets are also trying to win their first game in 12 days, hoping this win will spark the group for the stretch run.

The Warriors added a new piece to their fancy outfit of future Hall-of-Famers and former All-Stars.  Golden State finally did some interior decorating and filled the only gap the team really had, which was a thin front line.  That’s no longer the case, as DeMarcus Cousins has proven to fit right in with the Warriors unselfish lineup.  Clint Capela has a monstrous task on his hands tonight trying to contain Cousins.  This marks the first time the Rockets have faced the DeMarcus Cousins-version of Golden State.  Houston would love to do nothing more than to spoil his Warriors debut versus the Rockets, but it’s asking a lot.  Especially with their MVP questionable to play.  Maybe Harden will give it a go, and regain the MVP-momentum he’s seemed to lose since the All-Star break.  A win tonight would be Houston’s most impressive of the season.  The Rockets can prove a lot to themselves going into this David vs. Goliath style matchup.  Tonight, at least, there will be no playing down to the competition.

 

Oracle Arena:  Oakland, California

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (33-25):  “Earned” Red

Golden State Warriors (42-16):  Black

 

TV:  7:30 PM CT – ABC

 

Foul Game:  Rockets Shooting Deactivated, Fosters Laker Comeback, 111-106

 

A Familiar Mess.    NBA Fosters the Rules.    Shooting Deactivation.

 

There’s always next game.  But, we’ve said that far too many times already this season.  Everything was fine and dandy for the Houston Rockets at Staples Center on Thursday night.  They held a 19-point lead and looked poised to place a win in the books in the first game after the break.  However, like we’ve seen too many times this season, that lead evaporated, and Houston lost.  The Rockets couldn’t buy a basket in the final quarter as the Lakers stormed back for a 111-106 victory.  James Harden managed to keep his streak alive, scoring 30 points, but it wasn’t enough.  Houston dropped another game they should have won.  The narrative on this season is slowly changing from where the Rockets will be seeded… to will they even make the playoffs?  Houston currently sits only a game and half ahead of the 8^th seed.  Nothing is guaranteed in the West.  If the Rockets can’t find a way to hold leads, the lead on their playoff peers in the standings will be vanquished.

The NBA has a serious problem.  Scott Foster, the lead official in Thursday night’s contest, was at work again.  Houston is now 0-7 this season in games Foster officiates.  The official can’t seem to put aside his ego when calling Rocket games, or perhaps he is throwing games, in similar manner to his buddy, Tim Donaghy, who thankfully was caught and reprimanded for his actions during the 2006/2007 NBA season.  A report was just released detailing who former NBA-official turned convict, Tim Donaghy, made calls to during his time betting on games during the 2006/2007 season.  Donaghy made more calls to Scott Foster (134), than he did to his own bookie (126).  If that doesn’t raise a red flag that this man should not be allowed to officiate NBA basketball, then I don’t know what does.  In the final 20 minutes of the game, the Rockets didn’t attempt a foul shot, while the Lakers had 17 free throws.  Oh, and James Harden, and Chris Paul both fouled out of the contest.  The first time that’s ever happened, and the first time the Beard fouled out of a game since: December 22^nd, 2017.  The lead official for that game?  Scott Foster.  Of course.

Adam Silver and top league executives need to make the proper action in firing Foster.  It’s never a good thing when one of the faces of your league calls out an official, by name, especially when it is not in that player’s nature.  Harden has never publicly called out an official in his career.  The Beard couldn’t help himself after the discrepancies in officiating last night.  Afterwards, Harden said on Foster, “For sure, it’s personal. For sure. I don’t think he should be able to officiate our games anymore, honestly.”  The chances the league takes action is unlikely, as the NBA has an agenda on their hands to keep the Rockets from winning important games.  Harden will receive a fine for his comments, and Foster will go on rigging games until he retires (or until a bigger man can realize the indecency his actions do to the entire sport).  Last postseason, the Rockets went 7-0 at home in games Scott Foster did not officiate. In the playoff games he officiated in Houston, the Rockets went 0-3.  There is simply too much statistical and video evidence for Foster’s actions to be deemed “coincidental.”  Look for Scott Foster to be the lead official in Houston’s biggest games if they make it to the playoffs.

Despite all the terrible calls (and their were a lot), Houston still should have won this game.  Yes, the contest was not only the worst-officiated game of the Rockets season, but the game stands out as the worst called game of the year, and really highlights Foster’s concern for his own ego, over his concern for the integrity of the game.  Houston couldn’t hit a shot in the fourth quarter and managed a measly 16 points, half as many as they got in the 3^rd period.  The Rockets wasted a solid game from Chris Paul, who finished an assist shy of a triple-double, and has looked spryer in each game since his return.  Clint Capela, in his first game back from injury, played nicely alongside Kenneth Faried.  Yet, none of this matters.  Houston wasn’t able to hit a shot. Even if they could?  When it comes down to it all, if the NBA can’t contain Scott Foster, no team will have a chance at dethroning the Warriors.  And up next for Houston?  The Golden State Warriors.  In Oracle Arena.  On Saturday night primetime.  Here’s to hoping Scott Foster won’t be in the Bay Area for Houston’s next game.

Capela Set to Return, Rockets Kick off Second Season in L.A.

 

Stretch Run.    Return of the Big Guy.    Kryptonite for a King.

 

One game can make all the difference in a team’s quest to make the playoffs.  This season, the standings are so jam-packed in the West.  The conference is as crowded as its ever been as teams battle for playoff positioning.  The NBA’s “second half” gets underway on Thursday night, as the Rockets battle the Lakers in Los Angeles.  Houston’s big fella is finally back. Clint Capela is set to make his return Thursday night in Los Angeles, as the Rockets and Lakers face off for the final time this season.  L.A. is in desperation mode.  As we kick off the latter part of the NBA season, the Lakers sit in tenth place in the West, two games out of a playoff spot.  LeBron James and co. have one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league.  LBJ will have the Lake Show primed and ready to play with a sense of urgency.  LeBron recently said the Lakers playoff intensity has been “activated.”  Houston sits in the fifth spot, right in the thick of competition out West.  If the Rockets want to grab one of the top three seeds, they’ll have to finish strong as the stretch run approaches.  To beat the Lakers, Houston will need to match L.A.’s activated desperation and sense of urgency.

Clint Capela returns just in time for the Rockets.  They face difficult tests in their upcoming games, traveling to Oakland to face the Warriors after Thursday night’s game in Los Angeles.  Houston’s emerging center missed 15 games due to a right thumb injury.  Thanks to the MVP and the Manimal, the Rockets managed a respectable 9-6 record during Capela’s absence.  However, Capela’s absence was felt on the glass, and his return puts Houston inches away from being completely healthy for the first time all season.  Iman Shumpert will miss the next two games.  Even coming out of a break, a Rocket winds up on the injury report.  Houston still can’t catch a break in the health department.  Hopefully when Shumpert returns, the squad can maintain some durability down the stretch and into the playoffs.

James Harden has torched the Lakers all season.  To be fair, the Beard’s torched everyone, but The Unguardable Tour began on December 13^th against the Lakers.  Harden dropped a 50-point triple-double and has dominated defenses league-wide ever since.  The Beard is averaging 44.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.3 dimes against L.A. this season.  Harden is lights out when suiting up opposite the purple and gold.  The reigning-MVP is shooting 50.7 percent from the field, including 41.5 percent from long range.  The Lakers bring out the best in the Beard.  Harden’s team also might be the King’s kryptonite.  The Rockets bring out the worst in LeBron.  LeBron is 12-17 against the Rockets since entering the league, his worst record against any opponent in his career.  The Lakers lost four of their last five games heading into the All-Star break.  L.A. needs to start a hot streak soon, if they want a chance at making the playoffs.  That start may be delayed as another streak comes into L.A.  The Unguardable Tour makes a pit stop at Staples Center.  The Lakers season isn’t over.  They still have hopes for a playoff spot.  But The Unguardable Tour isn’t over either.  And Harden’s been crushing the hopes of his peers all season long.  One game at a time.

 

 

Staples Center:  Los Angeles, California

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (33-24):  “Earned” Crimson Red

Los Angeles Lakers (28-29):  Yellow

 

TV:  9:30 PM CT – TNT

Harden’s Streak Continues, but Rockets Ambushed by Wolves in 2^nd Half, Lose 121-111

 

Second Half Woes.    Death on the Glass.    Much-Needed Break.

 

It was close for much of the contest, but by crunch time the Rockets ran out of gas.  Houston fell in Minnesota, 121-111, losing another game to a team they should have beaten.  The Rockets second half woes continued as the Wolves outscored Houston by 16 after halftime.  James Harden extended his 30-point game streak to 31 games, tying Wilt for 2^nd All-Time.  The Beard finished with 42, but the more important stat was not extended.  Houston failed to close out another inferior opponent, and the losses are piling up for the Rockets.  The team’s chances to get the desired 2 or 3 seed get slimmer with each defeat.  Houston now finds itself in 5^th, 5 games behind OKC for the 3 seed.  Hopefully, the return of the big fella, and a healthy roster will pay dividends for the Rockets down the stretch.

Clint Capela’s absence was felt in this game more than any other since his injury.  The Rockets lost this game on the boards, and in the hustle department.  Karl-Anthony Towns had his way inside, finishing with 25 points, and 9 boards.  Overall, the Wolves were the quicker team to the loose ball and outhustled Houston in the grit department.  The Manimal finished with another double-double, but Faried was a major defensive liability inside the paint, as Minnesota got whatever they wanted near the rim.  Jeff Teague sing-handedly destroyed the Rockets in the game’s final frame.  The Wolves point guard got a layup whenever he pleased, finishing with 27 points to lead Minnesota to victory.  As a team, the Rockets need to improve this aspect of their team defense.  Capela’s return certainly will help, but it won’t solve all of Houston’s defensive problems that have plagued the squad all season long.

All-Star break has finally arrived.  A much-needed one for a hobbled, exhausted, Rockets team that looks to rest up and get healthy for the final stretch of the season.  James Harden is heading to Charlotte for the festivities, but he’ll be able to rest up his shoulder and knee.  The Beard was limping in the 4^th quarter after banging knees with Dario Saric.  Harden, and P.J. Tucker, who hasn’t missed a game in over 500 contests, and leads the Rockets in minutes, desperately will get some rest.  Clint Capela is aiming to return in Houston’s first game after the All-Star break.  The Rockes schedule is brutal to start the stretch run.  Their first two games are on the road.  Against the desperate Lakers, who are fighting for their playoff lives with each, and every game.  And then Houston pays a visit back to Oracle, where Harden and the Rockets will face off against DeMarcus Cousins in a Warriors uniform for the first time.  Houston will look to stay healthy as the season winds down, and teams makes their playoff pushes for positioning in the crowded Western Conference.

 

Rockets Hunting a Win Before Break, Face Wolves Up North

 

Road Warriors.    Tough KAT.    Intermission.

 

As we approach the All-Star break, the Rockets are one of many teams looking to rest up and get healthy for the stretch run.  First, Houston travels to Minneapolis to face the Wolves in their final game before the brief hiatus.  Minnesota has been struggling of late, even though their still within reach of a playoff spot.  The Wolves have lost 4 of their last 5 games overall.  The Rockets are seeking their 4^th consecutive road win, as the squad looks to head into the break on a positive note.  Houston bounced back nicely in their previous game, and the squad hopes to carry the momentum north to fight off the Wolves.  A victory would also give the Rockets 8 wins in their last 11 games, building steady momentum as the final stretch arrives on the schedule.

Despite their record, Minnesota still poses many problems for a Houston team still missing Clint Capela.  Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the best big men in the NBA, and his game is improving as the season moves along.  The departure of his disgruntled former teammate, Jimmy Butler, has led to an uptick in Towns’ performance and efficiency for the Wolves in the paint.  Andrew Wiggins has also improved slightly since Butler’s departure, and is the 2^nd option on offense for Minnesota behind Towns.  The Rockets will lean on Kenneth Faried’s presence in the paint, and hope James Harden can shoulder another prime outing before the team separates for the All-Star interval.  Houston will need contributions from the entire squad, KAT’s a tough man to handle in the paint, and the undersized Rockets have a challenge ahead of them.

Tonight’s game is pivotal in the standings.  A win could potentially move the Rockets up to the 4^th seed.  The Blazers host the red-hot Warriors tonight, and if Portland loses, they’ll fall back to the 5^th seed with a Houston victory.  As the squad gets ready for intermission, it’s important they not look too far ahead.  This game is another opportune step in the right direction if the Rockets take care of business.  In a season that’s been like a game of Russian roulette, you never know what to expect.  Houston should be able to grind out another road win before everyone disperses for the break.  Games before the All-Star break are even more comparable to pick ’ems.  It should be a tough, close battle tonight up North.  Hopefully, the Rockets can prove they’re worthy of victory, and can move up a notch in the standings.

 

 

Target Center:  Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (33-23):  White

Minnesota Timberwolves (26-30):  Purple

 

TV:  7 PM CT – ESPN,  ATT Sportsnet SW

 

Houston’s Balanced Attack Blasts Mavs, Rockets Roll 120-104

 

30 For 30.    Five Heads Are Better Than One.    Step Up.  

 

            Nursing a sore shoulder from the previous game, James Harden still managed 31 points, as the Rockets beat the Mavs 120-104 on Monday night.  The Unguardable Tour continued, barely.  The Beard had 20 points with 2:30 to go in the game.  In a contest that wasn’t close, in a game where Harden’s shoulder was still aching, many expected “the Streak” to come to an end.  Harden did what he’s done all season, and proved everyone wrong.  The Beard scored 11 points in the last two and half minutes, and reached the 30-point mark for the 30^th consecutive game.  An astonishing feat.  Only the great Wilt Chamberlain has longer streaks of 30+ points, with 31 and 65 (the NBA record).  The All-Star break is coming at the perfect time for Harden and the Rockets.  The Beard has not been right since the OKC game, where he suffered a shoulder injury.  His availability for the All-Star game should be considered questionable, although Harden loves to play, it’ll be hard to keep him off the court.  At least Houston can rest assured that Harden’s shoulder will heal over the break (hopefully), and Clint Capela is due for a return the first game after the break.  Once the big fella returns, the Rockets will be at full strength for the first time all season.

17 points.  James Harden averages more than that per game this season.  Usually one, maybe two Rockets will reach the 17-point mark besides Harden.  Tonight, Houston had a season-high 5 guys score 17 or more.  The Beard got the most help he’s gotten during his “Unguardable Tour,” and it made a big difference.  Chris Paul is starting to round back into his All-Star form. He quietly had an efficient game with 17 points and 11 dimes.  The Manimal had another solid game, finishing with 17 points and 8 boards.  Gerald Green provided a spark off the bench with 19, and Eric Gordon had 18 to round out Houston’s main scoring arsenal.  Iman Shumpert played 24 minutes in his home debut, scoring 6 points.  Shump continues to feel his way into the new system, and when comfortable, will be a nice fit.  The Rockets finally were able to build a lead and hold it, keeping the Mavs at bay until the final buzzer sounded.  As amazing as Harden has been this year, having 4 guys contribute besides the Beard helps Houston more than anything.  If the Rockets can get more team efforts from the roster, they’ll be unbeatable.  But nights like these have proven to be few and far between.  Still, it was a step in the right direction as the All-Star break is around the corner.

Only one game remains on the schedule before the break, as Houston will travel up north to face the Minnesota Timberwolves.  Monday night’s victory over Dallas was a step up for Houston.  The squad is still playing without their 2^nd most valuable player, Clint Capela.  And, Harden had a sore shoulder and wasn’t himself, not able to garner his usual lift on his shots.  Despite these factors, the Rockets won comfortably over the Mavs and held a lead throughout the game.  This has been an issue for Houston much of the season, especially against the NBA’s lower echelon.  The Rockets mended that issue, or at least didn’t falter like they have so many times this season, losing games they should have won.  This was a game they should have won.  And Houston did just that, leading the duration of the game after early in the first quarter.  The Rockets will try and close out the schedule strong in Minnesota before the squad breaks for the All-Star intermission.  Hopefully, that shoulder’s feeling better for Harden.  The Rockets proved Monday night they’re able to provide enough help for the MVP before the break hits to muster out one more victory.