Blog

Rockets Welcome Cavaliers for Matinee Matchup

Afternoon Hoops.    Drive for Five.    Step Up.   

Get ready for some afternoon hoops, as the Rockets host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday at Toyota Center. Houston is aiming for their fifth straight win today. The Rockets have won six of their past seven games, and are riding a four-game winning streak into this afternoon’s contest. Despite losing Alperen Sengun and Cam Whitmore to season-ending injuries, Houston is currently playing the best basketball they’ve played all season. This matchup will prove to be tougher than the Rockets’ most recent victories over league bottom-dwellers, as Cleveland is playoff-bound once again this season.

The Cavaliers currently sit in third place in the Eastern Conference, but have been playing average basketball lately, going 6-7 over their past thirteen games. Donovan Mitchell led the way in the first matchup that saw the Cavs beat the Rockets, 135-130, in Cleveland back on December 18th. Mitchell led the way in that matchup with 37 points, and he will once again be the focal point of Houston’s defense in this contest. His backcourt running mate, Darius Garland, could also be a major threat, as well as big man Jarrett Allen in the interior. Jock Landale will have his work cut out for him trying to contain Allen. Expect Houston to experiment with Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson defining Allen in the post, especially if Landale comes off the pine again, which has been the trend all season.

The Rockets are rolling in March, but the Cavs are a step up in competition compared to Houston’s last several opponents. The Rockets are coming off wins over both last place teams in each conference (Wizards in the East, Spurs in the West). If they want to extend their streak to five, they need to continue playing intense defense, with a balanced offensive attack. Amen Thompson is coming off arguably the best game of his career, and Jalen Green had a season-high 37 points in their previous win. If the Rockets can contain Mitchell, they have a solid chance to win their fifth straight game on Saturday.

 

Toyota Center: Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Cleveland Cavaliers (42-24): Maroon

Houston Rockets (31-35): “City Edition” White

 

Tip-Off:  4:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Fly Past Wizards, 135-119, Win Fourth Straight

Different Shade.    Coming Up Jock.    Marching On.

Jalen Green scored a season-high 37 points, as the Rockets made easy work of Wizards on Thursday night with a 135-119 win. The victory is Houston’s fourth straight, and their sixth win in the past seven games. Green has been a different player since the All-Star Break. After an inconsistent first half to the season, Green is finally playing with consistency at a higher level. Green shot an extremely efficient 15-for-23 from the floor, and also grabbed 8 boards on the evening. Fred VanVleet supplied 27 points and 9 assists, and Amen Thompson had another double-double, contributing 20 points and 10 rebounds. The Rockets had six different players score at least 13 points, including all the starters. Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 25 points off the bench. Houston dominated the second quarter, outscoring Washington 42-25 to take control of the contest.

For the third consecutive game, Jock Landale produced a season-high in points, as he scored 13 points in 27 minutes against the Wizards. With Sengun sidelined for the season, expect to see plenty of Landale for the rest of the campaign. The Aussie has been efficient and avoided mistakes over his last three games. Landale will look to continue taking advantage of the extra playing time as we approach the final sixteen games of the regular season.

The Rockets are now 6-1 in the month of March, and they’ll look to keep their winning ways rolling as they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday afternoon. With a record of 31-35, Houston still trails the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers by 4 games for the final Play-In spot. Without Sengun, who’s been the best player for the Rockets all season, it’s probably just wishful thinking imagining a scenario where Houston slips into the Play-In tournament. For now, they need to continue working on developing good habits for next season and the future. And if they keep winning and receive a bit of luck, who knows, they could possibly sneak in, but at this point it’s a long shot. The Rockets need to focus on ending this season on a positive note, and they’re certainly marching in that direction this month.

Rockets Seek Fourth Straight Win, Host Lowly Wizards

Home Duet.    Opportunity Knocks.    More Landale.

After their first perfect road trip of the season, the Houston Rockets return home aiming for their fourth win in a row as they host the Washington Wizards. After tonight’s game, Houston will host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday before heading back on the road. The Wizards boast the NBA’s worst record, at 11-54. Despite this, Washington has won two of their last three games, and still has talent on the other side. Kyle Kuzma is arguably their best player. And Jordan Poole can be a threat off the bench despite an overall disappointing season in his first year as a Wizard.

Thursday night’s return home for Houston is a great chance for the Rockets to extend their winning streak. Even without Sengun, Houston should be able to beat the Wizards at home. Expect to see more of Jock Landale tonight after the big man had his best game of the season in the previous win over San Antonio. Washington is also thin in the frontcourt, so Landale could be due for an even better performance tonight.

The Wizards are the only team the Rockets have yet to face this season. The two squads will meet again in five days in D.C. to close the season series. As long as Houston sticks to the game plan, and continues playing with defensive intensity, they should be able to take away any magic the Wizards have in store for tonight.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Washington Wizards (11-54):  White

Houston Rockets (30-35):  Black

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Edge Spurs, 103-101, for 4th Straight Road Win

Perfect Trip.    The Landale Effect.    Buying In.

For the first time this season, the Rockets completed a perfect road trip. Houston finished off their three-game journey with a 103-101 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night. Fred VanVleet led Houston with 21 points, and Jalen Green added 16 points, but it was Jock Landale, who made his presence felt late in the contest. Due to Sengun’s absence, Landale saw a season-high 26 minutes, and didn’t disappoint. The Aussie finished with 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists, to go along with some great hustle and defensive plays. Expect to see much more of Landale the rest of the season as he will be garnering a lot of what would’ve been Sengun’s time on the court.

After losing then first matchup in the second game of the season, Houston has now won the season series over the Spurs, 3-1. They’ve been especially forceful defensively on Victor Wembanyama. The Rockets held Wemby to only 13 points, well below his season average on Tuesday night.

It may have taken some time, but Houston is finally buying in to Ime Udoka’s game plan, and the team’s road struggles are now just a past murmur. The Rockets have won four straight on the road, and three straight games overall. After starting the season 5-24 away from home, Houston has now gone 4-0 over the last quartet of road games. Up next, the Rockets return home to host the Washington Wizards, who boast the NBA’s worst record. It’s a great chance for Houston to keep the winning ways traveling as they return home on Thursday night.

Rockets Seek Perfect Road Trip in Final Meeting with Spurs

Wizard-Less Era.    I-10 Finale.    Revenge at the Alamo.

The Houston Rockets ride into San Antonio for the final stop on their three-game road trip. Tuesday night’s tilt is the final matchup this season in the I-10 Rivalry. This matchup is a revenge game for both teams. Houston lost the first meeting between these teams early in the season in San Antonio. The Rockets then went on to win the next two matchups, setting up tonight’s finale. Houston has won a season-high three straight road games and they now aim for a perfect road trip with a win in San Antonio tonight.

After undergoing an MRI on Monday, news broke that Alperen Sengun will likely miss the rest of the season. A tough blow for a Rockets team that was finding its groove at the right time with Sengun playing the best basketball of his career. Fortunately, Sengun avoided what appeared to be a broken ankle, instead suffering a Grade 3 ankle sprain. With only 18 games remaining, the smart decision is to hold Sengun out avoid risking his future health. Even is he heals sooner than expected, less than a month remains in the season, and the best move for Sengun and the team is to let their franchise-player recover. Rockets fans have likely seen the last of The Wizard on the court this season.

It’s the final matchup in the storied I-10 rivalry as Houston starts the Wizard-less era in the Alamo City on Tuesday night. The Rockets are shooting for their fourth straight road win, and first perfect road trip all season. Expect Wemby to have a bounce back performance for the Spurs after being dominated by Sengun in the previous matchup. Regardless, Houston still has enough talent to escape the Alamo with a victory on Tuesday night.

 

Frost Bank Center:  San Antonio, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (29-35):  Red

San Antonio Spurs (14-51):  Black

 

Tip-Off:  7:30 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Sengun Injured Late in Rockets 112-104 Win Over Kings

Costly Victory.    Emergent Third.    Slowing Fox.

The Rockets won their season-high third straight game on the road on Sunday night. It came with a hefty cost. Houston’s best player, Alperen Sengun, suffered a brutal ankle injury in the final minute of the game, and had to be carted off the floor in a wheelchair. It was a tough sight for Rockets fans to witness. Sengun will likely miss the remainder of the season due to the injury. To make matters worse, Cam Whitmore also suffered a hamstring injury that will also sideline the rookie for the rest of this campaign.

Houston once again trailed at halftime, but used a dominant third quarter to take control of the game. The Rockets outscored the Kings 32-14 in the third period, and fended off Sacramento in the final frame to earn the victory. Fred VanVleet led the Rockets with 22 points and 9 assists.

The key to tonight’s win was Houston’s second-half defense. The Rockets did a tremendous job on De’Aaron Fox, the King’s best player, in the final quarter. Houston held Fox, last season’s Inaugural “Clutch Player of the Year” scoreless in the final period. Up next, the Rockets will aim for their first perfect road-trip of the season as they visit the Alamo City for one final matchup with the Spurs.

Rockets Visit Kings for Final Meeting this Season

Second Leg.    Sweep Seekers.    Royal Difference.

Fresh off a win in Portland to start their road trip, the Rockets make their lone trip to Sacramento this season to battle the Kings for the final time this season. Houston won the first two matchups back in Toyota Center early in the campaign. This is the second stop on a three-game road trip for the Rockets. The squad will close out the trip with a battle with Spurs in the Alamo City on Tuesday night. Houston has won three of their last four games overall. Sacramento has also won three of their past four games, and two straight.

Houston is seeking a sweep of the Kings this season as they enter tonight’s matchup. If the Rockets want any chance of pulling the upset tonight, they need to contain Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox. The Houston native and All-Star didn’t play in either of the previous two matchups between these teams. In the two wins, the Rockets have held the Kings to the lowest points per game average any team has against any single opponent this season.

This Kings team is currently in sixth place in the Western conference, and are a different squad than the group the Rockets beat twice way back in November of this campaign. Expect a tough, gritty matchup tonight, as Houston aims to keep rolling on the road tonight in Sac-Town.

 

Golden 1 Center:  Sacramento, California

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (28-35):  White

Sacramento Kings (36-26):  Purple

 

Tip-Off:  5:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Surge Past Trail Blazers, 123-107, for Second Straight Road Win

Track Meet.    Poster Man.    Clean Finish.

Houston’s road trip started in triumphant fashion, as the Rockets rallied to beat the injury-riddled Trail Blazers, 123-107, on Friday night. Portland actually held a lead into the third quarter, which saw Houston face a 12-point deficit at one point. This game was a track meet, as the Rockets scored a season-high 37 fast break points, dominating the Blazers in transition. Jalen Green led the Rockets with 27 points

The turning moment in this contest featured arguably the dunk of the season by any Rockets player. Houston was staring at a 9-point deficit when Jalen Green absolutely posterized Anfernee Simons in the third quarter. The play energized Houston’s bench, and the Rockets would go on to dominate the rest of the game, garnering a 16-point victory.

Houston had a clean finish to this contest. After a somewhat sloppy start, the Rockets didn’t commit a single turnover in the fourth quarter, exhibiting excellent ball control. Fred VanVleet continues to be one of the best assist-to-turnover ratio players in the league. FVV dished out 10 dimes, and committed zero turnovers in Houston’s victory. The win gives the Rockets their second straight on the road, and a positive start as they continue this three-game road trip out West.

Rockets Seek Revenge, Visit Trail Blazers to Start Road Trip

Back West.    Road Building.    Avengement.

Houston hits the road once again as they travel back West to start a three game road trip with a matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. In the first matchup between these teams, back on January 27th, the Blazers dealt the Rockets one of their worst losses of the entire season, a 137-134 overtime defeat at home. Malcolm Brogdon hit a tough three, followed by Jerami Grant hitting a wild shot to send the game to overtime, before Portland eventually took over control. Luckily for Houston, none of those players are playing tonight. The Blazers are very injury depleted at the moment, without the likes of Jerami Grant, Malcolm Brogdon, De’Andre Ayton, and Scoot Henderson, among others.

The Rockets are coming off a tough loss to the Clippers which saw Houston blow a 20-point lead. Ime Udoka should have his squad motivated to serve up a dish of revenge to this Blazers team in Portland. Udoka is from the Portland area, as are several Rockets assistants. The players will look to make this a nice homecoming off sorts for their coach by winning two straight road games for the first time all season. Houston won their last road game in Phoenix, and have an even better to chance to get a win over this limping Portland team on Friday night.

Anfernee Simons will be the focal point of Houston’s defense, as he scored 33 points in the first matchup between these squads. Despite the Trail Blazers boasting nearly a full roster, Simons led the team in scoring in Portland’s win in Houston. As long as the Rockets don’t overlook these Blazers, and realize Portland still has professionals on the other side, Houston should be able to win their second straight on the road out West.

 

Moda Center:  Portland, Oregon

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (27-35):  Red

Portland Trail Blazers (17-44):  White

 

Tip-Off:  9:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Collapse in Second Half, Fall to Clippers, 122-116

Half Measure.    Three-Headed Trimmer.    Sinking Ship.

Houston led by as many as 20 points in the first half on Wednesday night, seemingly on their way to a third straight win. But once the Clippers got some momentum, the Rockets found themselves in trouble, as L.A. rallied to deal Houston a 122-116 defeat at home. The Rockets are now 0-2 this season against the Clippers, with both losses coming by six points each. Alperen Sengun had another tremendous performance for Houston, but it wasn’t enough, as L.A.’s star-power fueled their comeback. The Rockets led 57-44 at halftime, but this contest was truly a tale of two halves.

Kawhil Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden combined to score 60 of the Clippers’ 122 total points. L.A.’s Big-Three was simply too much for Houston to handle on Wednesday night. The Rockets didn’t necessarily play poorly, the stars for the Clippers just hit some tough shots. Sengun finished with 23 points, 19 rebounds, and 14 assists on the night, his fourth career triple-double. Jabari Smith Jr. bounced back from a poor showing last game to score 19 points against L.A. Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet added 15 points apiece, and Cam Whitmore contributed 17 points off the bench for Houston.

The Rockets now find themselves with a 27-35 record. They sit roughly five games out of the final Play-In spot, and their chances of sneaking into the playoffs are dimming with each loss. To give the coaching staff and team credit, they were never expected to even contend for a playoff spot this season. The squad has exceeded everyone’s expectations. Getting off to a 13-9 start when Tari Eason was healthy may have raised those expectations a little too high, as this year proves, it’s a long NBA season. Houston still has a slight chance, but they need to reel off some wins quickly, or the Rockets will likely miss the playoffs once again this season.