Blog

Rockets Fall to Nuggets, 116-101, as Rocky Times Continue

Dirty Dozen.    Vintage Boogie.    Tough Get Tougher.

As they’ve done countless times this season, Houston led after the first quarter. But this season’s hardest task for this Rockets team has been the ability to play all four quarters. Denver took control of the second quarter, and the game, en route to dealing the Rockets a 116-101 defeat. The loss marks Houston’s 12th defeat in a row. Christian Wood led Houston with 22 points, and Jalen Green supplied 18 points as the rookie continues to improve as the season moves along.

A former Rocket, DeMarcus Cousins had arguably his best game of the season for Denver. Cousins had a vintage “Boogie” performance, scoring 31 points to power the Nuggets past Houston. Denver also had six other players score in double-figures for their balanced attack.

The tough times only get tougher for Houston as they face two of the hottest and best teams in the NBA coming up next in a back-to-back. First, the Rockets return home to host red-hot Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. And then, Houston travels to Miami to battle the East-leading Heat. Hopefully they can squeak out a win in the next couple of games, but it won’t be easy by any means.

Rockets Visit the Mile-High City for Matchup with Nuggets

Dirty Dozen.    The Green Stride.    Fighting the Air.

Houston visits the Denver Nuggets for a battle in the Mile-High City. The Nuggets will be without Nikola Jokic tonight, so the Rockets have a better chance than usual to pull-off a potential upset.

Jalen Green has really played well of late, scoring 27 points in Houston’s last game, leading the squad in scoring.

The Rockets will battle the altitude as well as the Nuggets on Friday night. Hopefully the Joker’s absence can give Houston they need to finally end their eleven-game losing streak.

 

Ball Arena:  Denver, Colorado

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (15-47):  Red

Denver Nuggets (36-26):  Blue

 

Tip-Off:  8 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass

Rockets Suffer OT Heartbreaker to Jazz, 132-127, Lose 11th Straight

Deadly Duo.    Wasted Opportunity.    Back on the Road.

Christian Wood nailed a three-pointer as time expired in regulation to send Wednesday night’s game to overtime. However, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert fueled Utah late, as the Jazz held off the Rockets in overtime, 132-127, dealing Houston their 11th straight loss. Utah’s dynamic duo combined to scored 64 points, and proved to be too much for a young Rockets squad.

Houston played surprisingly well against a dominant opponent, and unfortunately wasted another solid game from Jalen Green. Houston’s top rookie had one of his best games of the season, leading the Rockets in scoring with 27 points. Kevin Porter Jr. returned from injury after missing a few games and didn’t disappoint on his bobble head night. Scoot registered 16 points and dished out 12 assists for Houston. Christian Wood scored 24 and had what was at the time, a game-saving three to send the game to overtime, but the Rockets couldn’t take advantage of the extra time.

Houston now heads back on the road for one game in Denver against the Nuggets before they return home Sunday to host the hot Memphis Grizzlies. The skid’s reaching dangerous heights, and despite the tough competition on the horizon, the Rockets are due for an upset here in the next few games. They nearly pulled it off against the Jazz, and next they’ll try and fight the altitude and take down the Nuggets on Friday in Denver.

Rockets Host Jazz in Second Game of Back-to-Back

Scooting Towards a Return.    Diminished Rivalry.    Fighting Fatigue.

After dropping two straight games to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Rockets host the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. Houston is playing its third game in four days, this being the second of a back-to-back. Kevin Porter Jr. is listed as probable to make his return form an injury, ironically on his first-ever bobblehead night. Hopefully Scoot’s return can give a Rocket team that’s looking to snap a ten-game skid a much-needed boost.

Utah always been one of Houston’s biggest rivals, dating back to the days of Hakeem Olajuwon, John Stockton and Karl Malone. This season sees the rivalry more diminished than perhaps ever before, as the Rockets sit as the bottom of the Conference. Meanwhile, the Jazz sit in third place in the West, and have won eight of their past nine games. Utah’s deadly All-Star duo of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert will be in line to make the most noise for the Jazz tonight.

This matchup will be tougher than the last couple, as the Jazz are a step up in competition from the Clippers. Utah is a legitimate title contender when healthy, and are playing some of their best basketball of the season at the moment. The Rockets sure have their work cut out for them tonight. Maybe KPJ’s return will scoot Houston towards finally breaking their losing streak. After all, this season, the Rockets seem to win when we least expect a victory. It’ll be tough over this veteran, disciplined, and more talented Jazz squad, but anything’s possible in an NBA regular season game.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Utah Jazz (38-22):  Yellow

Houston Rockets (15-46):  White

 

Tip-Off:  7 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Fall to Clippers Again, 113-100, for 10th Straight Loss

Same Trio.    Haunted Third.    No Rest for the Weary.

The Houston Rockets once again held a halftime lead in this game, just as they did in the previous contest on Sunday against the Clippers. However, a terrible third quarter unraveled the Rockets, as they lost their 10th straight game on Tuesday night, falling to the Clippers 113-100 at Toyota Center. Jalen Green scored 20 points to lead Houston, who’s now trying to escape another double-digit losing streak.
The same deadly trio killed the Rockets on Tuesday night. Reggie HJackson, Ivica Zubac, and Marcus Morris Sr. did the majority of the damage as the Clips handled Houston easier than in the previous tilt.

The Rockets will play their third game in four days up next, as the Utah Jazz come to town. No rest for a weary squad that’s dropped ten straight games. Kevin Porter Jr. is rumored to return after missing the previous few games. We’ll see if Houston has any energy to end this home-stand on a positive note on Wednesday night.

Rockets Seek Different Results in Rematch with Clippers

Part 2.    Action Jackson.    The Closers.

The Rockets and Clippers meet to do battle once again after facing off only two days ago. L.A. escaped Houston with a narrow 99-98 victory in the previous matchup. Jalen Green looks to get back on track, as the Rockets hope to take Part 2 in this min-series. Kevin Porter Jr. is still questionable heading into tonight’s matchup.

The key for victory for Houston in this one will be slowing Reggie Jackson. Jackson’s been the key component in both of the Clips wins over the Rockets this season. He had 26 points in to lead L.A.’s comeback win on Sunday. 

Houston controlled the majority of the game in these squads’ previous battle. However, the Rockets scored only 18 points in the fourth quarter, and the Clippers stormed back for the victory. Houston doesn’t necessarily has a closer, per se, so they’ll have to close the contest as a unit if they want to end their nine-game losing streak tonight. The Rockets have a good chance, the key will be in the closing moments. Can Houston finally come up big in the clutch? We’ll find out tonight. Expect another close and entertaining game at Toyota Center tonight, with hopefully different results than the two previous matches against the Clips.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Los Angeles Clippers (32-21):  Black

Houston Rockets (15-45):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  7 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Falter Late in 99-98 Loss to Clippers

Failure to Close.    Nine and Counting.    Ready for a Rematch.

For the second straight game, the Rockets held a sizable lead in the first quarter. Houston led the Clippers 28-19 after period one, but Los Angeles slowly crept back into the game, and snuck past the Rockets late, dealing Houston a 99-98 loss. The defeat is the 9th consecutive loss for a Rockets team that’s searching for answers. Jalen Green had an off-shooting night for the first time in a while, scoring only 10 points on 4-for-18 shooting. Garrison Mathews led a balanced Houston attack with 17 points. The Rockets had seven players score in double-figures, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the exploits of Reggie Jackson and Ivica Zubac, who sealed the game for L.A. Jackson led the Clips with 26 points. Zubac contributed 14 points and 15 boards, along with a key block late in the game to deter Houston’s hopes.

These two squads will square off again in Toyota Center on Tuesday night. Hopefully the Rockets can close the contest with more discipline than they displayed in their latest loss. Kevin Porter Jr.’s return isn’t certain as of yet, so Scoot should still be deemed questionable for the rematch.

Only 22 games remain in the season for Houston. Any chance of sneaking into the playoffs has passed this Rockets team. They are playing for pride and looking to build chemistry for next season. Hopefully they can seal the deal, and focus for four quarters in the rematch. Houston scored only 18 points in the fourth quarter on Sunday, they’ll have to better if they want to take part 2 in this mini-series on Tuesday.

Rockets Return Home to Host Clippers Twice

Homecoming.    Familiar Foes.    First of Two.    

Houston returns home for the first time since February 10th, where the Los Angeles Clippers await them for a pair of games. The Rockets last saw the Clips in their final game before the All-Star break, in which Houston got a thorough beatdown. The squad will look to change that result on Sunday night with a more energized effort, especially on defense. The Clippers scored 142 points against the Rockets’ defense in the first matchup, a little over a week ago. Houston needs a better effort defensively if they want a chance to upset the hungry Clips tonight.

These two squads are familiar foes, as they’ll meet again at Toyota Center on Tuesday night for a rematch. The Clippers have won 4 of their last 5 games, with the only loss coming to Phoenix, the team with the NBA’s best record. L.A. is coming off a close win over their hometown-rival Lakers on Friday. At this moment, the Clips are holding onto the 8th spot in the West, but fighting to retain that position. Houston meanwhile, doesn’t have much to play for, other than building chemistry and improving for the future.

Jalen Green’s been on a roll for the Rockets as of late. Houston’s top rookie will look to continue his solid play against the Clippers. Kevin Porter sprained his ankle Friday in Orlando, and will be questionable for Sunday’s contest. If Scoot can’t go, look for Green to have even more of a Green Light to attack on a consistent basis. The Rockets will need the aggression and hunger against a hungrier Clippers squad. If Houston can prove they’ve got a more satiable appetite, the Rockets could potentially pull the upset in their final game of February.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Los Angeles Clippers (31-31):  Black

Houston Rockets (15-44):  White

 

Tip-Off:  6 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass

Rockets Falter Late in Orlando, Drop 8th Straight in 119-111 Loss to Magic

Strong Start, Slow Finish.    Big Problems.    Breaking Through.

It initially appeared that the Rockets would snap their seven game losing streak in Orlando. Houston raced out to a 17-3 early lead against the Magic, but the Rockets fizzled late, as Orlando took control of the second quarter, and the game, en route to a 119-111 loss for the Rockets, their eighth consecutive defeat. The Magic outscored Houston 31-18 in the second quarter, and while the Rockets made it a completive outing, they never could regain the early stranglehold they had on Orlando in the first period. 

The Magic were simply too big for the Rockets in the interior. Chuma Okeke had the game of his life, scoring a career-high 26 points and grabbing 9 boards off the bench. Wendell Carter Jr. also posed problems for Houston in the post. Carter finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds for Orlando. Christian Wood had another double-double for the Rockets, registering 21 points and 11 boards, but it wasn’t enough against this oversized Magic squad.

Houston’s now lost eight games in a row. One good sign amidst all the struggles has been the play of Jalen Green. After an inconsistent first two-thirds of the season, Green has found his stride over the past handful of games. Green led the Rockets in scoring with 23 points, and a career-high 4 steals. Most importantly, Green’s shooting has continued to improve. Green shot 9-for-16 from the floor on Friday, including 4-for-9 from distance. It appears the All-Star break allowed the game to slow down for Houston’s rookie. Green will make a push for rookie of the year over the final 23 games, but if the Rockets keep losing games, he won’t have much of a chance to win the award. Luckily for Houston, 15 of their 23 remaining games are at home, including three home games in four days starting Sunday. Houston will play the Clippers twice, the last team they saw before the All-Star break. And while the previous meeting may make the rematch appear one-sided… a return home may be all the Rockets need to finally secure a victory.

Rockets Head to Orlando for Matchup with Magic

Stretch Run.    More Than a Chance.    Starting Strong.

The Houston Rockets are back in action tonight for the first time in over a week. After an All-Star break which hopefully saw the players get plenty of rest and reinvigoration, the Rockets are ready for the NBA’s stretch run. Houston has 24 games remaining, but only 9 are on the road, including tonight’s matchup in Orlando.

The Rockets are currently in the midst of a seven-game losing streak, and they’ll look to end that against a Magic team with a worse record than Houston. Jalen Green was Houston’s most efficient player entering the break. Hopefully the rookie picks up where he left off. He’ll be facing fellow Slam-Dunk participant Cole Anthony, who’s having a breakout season for Orlando. Losers of four straight games, the Magic are a very beatable opponent for Houston. If the Rockets can play hard and get off to a strong start, they have a chance to produce some magic of their own in Orlando.

Both teams may show some rust due to the long break, but whoever plays harder and wins the hustle game will take tonight’s outcome. Franz Wagner, Mo Bamba, Wendell Carter Jr., and Jalen Suggs will be the key players Houston need to contain on defense, including Anthony. The Rockets are healthy and should have plenty of hungry players eager to end their losing skid. Hopefully the squad can start the final stretch run of the season with a victory.

 

Amway Center:  Orlando, Florida

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (15-43):  White

Orlando Magic (13-47):  Blue

 

Tip-Off:  6 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass