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Rockets vs. Trail Blazers Pre-Game 3/25/22

Rockets Head to Portland for Back-to-Back Matchups with Blazers

Part 1.    The Rebuilders.    Need One.

The Rockets travel to Oregon for the first of two straight games in Portland against the Blazers. Part One takes place on Friday night, and then these teams will do battle at the same place and time on Saturday night. Portland traded C.J. McCollum a little after halfway through the season, and Damian Lillard has missed most of the this campaign with a season-ending injury. So, just as the Rockets, the Blazers are in rebuilding mode.

Houston has a great chance to win one of these next two games in Portland. Common sense says tonight’s the Rockets’ best chance. As tomorrow poses the second part of a back-to-back, on the road. Houston likely isn’t disciplined enough to steal both games in Portland, but expect this squad to show some pride, and win at least one of these games this weekend.

Jalen Green is coming off a sub-par game. Houston’s explosive rookie will look to bounce back against a Blazers team that shouldn’t offer much defensive resistance. The University of Houston upset top-seeded Arizona in the NCAA Tournament last night. Can the Rockets upset the Blazers and keep the city’s promising basketball week rolling? Find out tonight, as Houston takes on a very beatable opponent.

 

Moda Center:  Portland, Oregon

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (18-55):  Black

Portland Trail Blazers (27-45):  White

 

Tip-Off:  9 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

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Rockets vs. Mavericks Post-Game 3/23/22

Second Half Dooms Rockets in 110-91 Loss to Mavs

Opposite Halves.    Brunson Burner.    Nine Lives.

Houston’s first game of their three-game road trip was a tale of two halves. The Rockets held a one-point edge at halftime, but that lead quickly vanquished after the break. Houston failed to score 20 points in either quarter after halftime, as the Rockets fell to the Mavericks, 110-91, on Wednesday night. Alperen Sengun led Houston with 14 points and 11 rebounds in only 22 minutes of action. The Turkish rookie sensation looks poised to take over the starting role at either power forward or center, depending on if the squad retains Christian Wood in the offseason. Jalen Green had a rare off-night during this second-half of the season. Green scored only 8 points on a struggling 3-for-11 shooting from the floor. But the story of this game was Jalen Brunson.

Brunson scored 16 of his 28 points in the third quarter, burning any hopes Houston had of maintaining their halftime lead. Spencer Dinwiddie added 26 points for Dallas, who won easily without their superstar Luka Doncic. The Rockets aim for a better result as they travel to the northwest to take on Portland for two games back-to-back in Oregon.

Only nine games remain in the season for Houston. Nine more chances to pad the win column. The Rockets’ draft chances are essentially locked into the best chance for the optimal outcome when the ping-pong balls dance in June. Can the squad reach 20 wins with only 9 games to go? The Trail Blazers have really struggled, and should give Houston a great chance to take at least one win of the two games in Portland this weekend.