Blog

Rockets Host Nuggets, Hope New Year Brings New Results

Starting Off Right.    No Joke.    Digging for Victory.

Houston kicks-off 2022 with a home matchup against the Denver Nuggets. The Rockets begin the New Year already facing a challenge they’ve yet to climb this season: winning the second part of a back-to-back. Denver comes into town mightily short-handed, having just signed three players you’ve never heard of (Rayjon Tucker, Carlik Jones, and Davon Reed) in order to make the eight-player minimum requirement. The Nuggets last game on Thursday, against the Warriors was postponed because Denver was so COVID-riddled. Their last two wins are impressive though, road victories over the Clippers and Warriors. Houston will have to fight fatigue against a very rested Nuggets team who hasn’t played a game in four days.

The Rockets are trying to snap a six-game losing streak, and begin the New year in winning style. To do this, they’ll need a bounce back performance from Kevin Porter Jr., who struggled on Friday against the Heat. And they’ll need a big night from Christian Wood, who’s tasked with containing last season’s MVP, Denver’s Nikola Jokic, aka “The Joker”. Alperen Sengun will also miss his first game of the season with an ankle injury, so Houston is extra thin in the interior tonight. Garrison Matthews is still in health-and-safety protocols, but other than Garry Bird and Sengun, the Rockets are fully-healthy.

Can Houston throw enough bodies at The Joker to stop the Nuggets? The key to starting 2022 off right might be starting off the game right for these Rockets, who’ve developed the bad habit of digging holes they can’t overcome during this losing streak.  If Houston can avoid a large deficit before halftime, and stay within striking distance as the fourth quarter approaches, the Rockets should have a decent chance to pull the upset. Everyone needs to play as hard as Jae’Sean Tate tonight for Houston, who will be battling a Denver team full of guys who will literally be playing for their job security. The Nuggets will play hard, that’s a guarantee. Denver’s tyrannical head coach Mike Malone won’t feign interest if his guys aren’t playing well, he’ll just send them to the bench. And Houston hopes to be responsible for Malone kicking some Nuggets to the bench on Saturday night. If the Rockets can start the game with a powerful first quarter, Houston can potentially start the New Year with a win.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Denver Nuggets (17-16):  White

Houston Rockets (10-26):  Navy “City Edition”

 

Tip-Off:  7 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Houston’s Rally Falls Short as Heat Extinguish Rockets, 120-110, to Close 2021

Not Another One.    Harder Heat.    Welcome Return.

Although they were playing an undermanned Miami squad, the Rockets couldn’t close the deal once again. Houston’s comeback attempt fell short, resulting in a 120-110 loss, their sixth in a row. Jimmy Butler led his group of ragtag “who-he play-fors” with 37 points, and Tyler Herro added 16 for the Heat, who’s remaining roster most people wouldn’t recognize. Houston trailed by as many as 25 points, but a Jae’Sean Tate-fueled rally got the Rockets within four in the fourth quarter. However, once again, Houston failed to finish. Hopefully that trend will change in 2022. Jae’Sean Tate had a welcome return from protocols, leading the Rockets with 22 points. However, Houston was outplayed by a Miami team that played harder than the Rockets throughout the night.

Houston dug themselves in a hole they would could never climb out of, trailing by 25 points before halftime. These bad starts have killed the Rockets all season, it’s a habit they’re going to have to rid to become a better team. Jalen Green scored 16 points, and continues to look like a different player since returning from injury. Kevin Porter Jr. struggled against Miami, scoring only 7 points while committing 5 turnovers. 

It’s hard to have a worse 2021 than the Rockets did. They’ll begin 2022 with a home matchup against the Denver Nuggets. Houston has yet to win on the second-half of a back-to-back this season, but maybe that trend changes on New Year’s Day. It won’t be an easy task, as the Nuggets are coming off impressive road wins over the Clippers and Warriors. Last year’s MVP, Nikola Jokic, will be a force to reckon with to ring in 2022. Denver will once again be undermanned like the Miami team Houston lost to on Friday. But the Nuggets still have Jokic, and that’s enough to potentially give the Rockets fits to start the New Year.

Rockets Host Heat in New Year’s Eve Special

Closing with a Bang.    Feeling the Heat.    An Energizing Boost.

 

Houston hosts Miami on New Year’s Eve in the final game of the calendar year for both squads. The teams are headed in opposite directions. The Rockets have lost five straight games, while the Heat are winners of four in a row, and have won eight of their last ten games overall. Miami recently got their best player, Jimmy Butler, back from a tailbone injury that sidelined the All-Star forward for nearly a month. Houston also recently got two of their best players, Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green, back from lengthy injuries. The Rockets fought hard but fell in their last game to a motivated LeBron and a Lakers team desperate to snap their five-game losing skid in Houston. In a vintage LeBron performance, James dominated in the clutch, keeping the Rockets at bay from victory.

Regardless, KPJ and Green both looked great in their returns. Against L.A. the duo combined for 46 points on a combined 9-for-18 from deep. Houston’s starting backcourt will aim to keep the good times rolling against a Miami team who’s starting to find their rhythm. The Heat are still without All-Star center Bam Adebayo,  but Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro are having career seasons, and Duncan Robinson just has the “look” of a Rocket-Killer. In Miami’s previous game, a win over Washington, Butler recorded 25 points, 15 assists, and 8 rebounds. Meanwhile, Tyler Herro exploded for 32 points, and Duncan Robinson scored 26 points for the Heat. Butler, Herro, and Robinson are the main guys Houston’s defense has to maintain tonight if the Rockets want to ring in the New Year with a victory.

Houston gets a pleasant surprise just in time for the New Year. Jae’Sean Tate is back in action after clearing the league’s health-and-safety protocols. The Rockets’ energizer bunny has missed the last two games. However, in an interesting move, he’ll come off the bench for the first time all season. We’ll see how it impacts his play, but hopefully this is a temporary move, as Tate’s working his way back into NBA-game shape after being out a few days. It’s the last day of the year, and as Houston prepares to ring in a 2022 that can’t be any worse than 2021, bright expectations are on the rise… it would be nice to heat those up with a win to ring in the New Year.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Miami Heat (22-13):  White

Houston Rockets (10-25):  Navy “City Edition”

 

Tip-Off:  6 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Too Much LeBron Powers Lakers Past Rockets, 132-123

Fit For a King.    Bright Futures.    Sliding Back.

Two days before his 37th birthday, LeBron James continues to refuse to surrender to Father Time. “The King” put on another legendary performance, securing the 103rd triple-double of his legendary career. But well into this contest, it didn’t seem James was destined for another iconic performance. After holding a one-point lead through the first quarter, 35-34, the Rockets allowed the Lakers to control the second and third quarters, before mounting a comeback in the final frame. L.A. built an 11-point edge, but Houston rallied to tie the game, 113-113, midway through the fourth quarter. However, LeBron James absolutely dominated clutch time, and the Lakers staved off the Rockets, 132-123, dealing Houston their fifth straight loss in the process. L.A. snapped their own five-game losing streak, and wouldn’t have won without LeBron. James had his third triple-double of the season, registering 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. The Rockets showed some resolve fighting back in this game, but going against one of the all-time greats proved too much for this young Houston squad. In dominant fashion, LeBron scored 14 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, including 10 points in the final 100 seconds of the game. James also scored 12 of the Lakers final 14 points. Russell Westbrook also garnered a triple-double in his return to Houston. Westbrook added 24 points, 12 boards, and 10 dimes for Los Angeles. Another former Rocket, Carmelo Anthony, also performed well with a vintage 24-point, 9 rebound performance for the Lakers. But the biggest thorn in Houston’s side throughout the entire game, aside from LBJ’s late takeover, was Malik Monk. L.A.’s second-leading scored on Tuesday night, Monk scored 25 points on 50% shooting from the field and proved to be the X-Factor for the Lakers.

Despite losing their fifth consecutive game, there are positive signs to be drawn from Houston’s latest loss. Kevin Porter Jr. returned after missing 12 games with a thigh injury and didn’t miss a beat. Scoot supplied 22 points, including a 5-for-9 shooting performance from distance, while dishing out 9 assists and grabbing 5 boards. After sitting out the Monday’s game for cautionary reasons regarding his return from injury, Jalen Green was stellar in his second game back. Green scored 24 points to lead the Rockets, while shooting an efficient 50% from the field, improving on one of his weaker aspects of his game before the injury. If KPJ and Green can stay healthy, Houston will be competitive every night. Christian Wood scored 22 points to round out H-Town’s “Big Three”, who combined for 68 points, accounting for 55% of the Rockets offense. Josh Christopher continues to improve in increased minutes. Christopher chipped in 14 points for Houston, and also showed his knack for  the defensive end, with 3 steals on the night.

The Rockets have now lost five games in a row, and are 2-9 since their seven-game winning streak. Houston will get two days off to rest before a weekend back-to-back against tough competition to ring in the New Year. Lucking for the Rockets, they’ll stay in Houston for the weekend, as both the Heat and Nuggets are coming to town. It will be tough especially, against Miami. The Heat are hot, winners of four straight, including 8 of their last 10. Denver, on the other hand, is hit pretty hard by COVID. Their last game on Thursday was postponed because the Nuggets didn’t have the minimum amount of players to play. Hopefully the two off-days give the Rockets a boost… At least they won’t have to deal with the King during these next two games.

Rockets Return Home, Host LeBron and the Lakers

Perimeter Returns.    L.A. Fakers.    Telling Tale.

The King’s in town as the Rockets host LeBron James and the Lakers on Tuesday night in a battle of two sliding teams. Good news for Houston is in the air, as they will see the return of Kevin Porter Jr. after a lengthy absence due to a thigh injury. Jalen Green also returns after missing the previous game for cautionary reasons. Green came back from a hamstring injury two games ago, and had a decent game, scoring 20 points. Will the return of Houston’s best two perimeter players boost their chances tonight? The Rockets will have to pray. Los Angeles will be motivated as ever coming into Houston tonight.

The Lakers have lost five straight games, while the Rockets have lost four in a row. A motivated LeBron James is still the most dangerous variable in the NBA, and that’s something Houston will have to deal with tonight. The Lakers won’t have Anthony Davis, but former-Rocket Russell Westbrook will be back in Houston, and probably motivated to torture his former team. So are these Lakers authentic championship contenders, or just as fake as a mirage in the desert? Tonight’s result won’t answer that question, as LeBron and co. have their own uphill battle, sitting two games below .500 as we approach the halfway mark in the NBA season.

This will be a telling tale for the Rockets for the remainder of the season. If they can pull this victory off, it would be something special, and certainly with the return of their perimeter stars, be a good sign for the future. Regardless, if they lose, which won’t be surprising, Houston’s only inching further towards one of the worst three records in the league, which get the best odds for the number one overall pick in next year’s draft. It will be nice to see Green and Scoot back on the floor, but they’ve got a dangerous freight train to contend with in James. Even as he approaches age 37, LeBron’s still the most dominant force in the NBA. And don’t expect him to let the Lakers lose to the last place Rockets on Tuesday. Will Houston’s good news on the roster report be enough to derail the King? Buckle up for what should be an entertaining, star-studded affair on the court tonight.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Los Angeles Lakers (16-18):  Yellow

Houston Rockets (10-24):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  7 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Undermanned Rockets Stung by Hornets, 123-99, Lose 4th Straight

Extra Short-Handed.    Rearing the Ugly Head.    Big Showing Next.

Houston didn’t put forth their best showing, getting crushed in Charlotte by the Hornets, 123-99, on Monday night. However, shortly before the game, more news broke about Rocket players in the health-and-safety protocols. These additions included Jae’Sean Tate most importantly, who missed his first game of the season after being the only Houston player to start every game this season. The Rockets were never really in this contest after the first quarter. “Scary” Terry Rozier proved to be too horrifying for Houston, leading the Hornets with 27 points. Charlotte also 5 other players score in double-figures. Trevelin Queen, who was recently call-up from the G-League, had a solid performance in only his third career-game. Queen came off the bench to score a team-high 17 points for the Rockets. Christian Wood and Eric Gordon had 16 points apiece, but this was a learning game for Houston. Many different lineup combinations were used due to the squad being short-handed.

Just as COVID has reared it’s ugly head toward the Rockets, the squad is now playing like a team that could lose their way back into lottery contention. Since their seven-game winning streak, which was predominantly against inferior opponents, Houston is a disastrous 2-8 in their last 10 games. Sure the schedule’s been tough. But it’s the NBA, every night presents a challenge. Speaking of challenges, the Rockets have a tough one coming up in their next game on Tuesday night.

LeBron James and the Lakers come to town on Tuesday for the second-half of a back-to-back for Houston. The good news: the Rockets are returning home, and will see the return of Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. The bad news: the Lakers have lost five straight games, their longest losing streak of the season. Anthony Davis and some other players are out for L.A., but the only key ingredient remains, and that’s all that matters: LeBron James. Houston will have a chance, but the most dangerous thing in the NBA, even at his age, is a motivated LeBron James. The Rockets will need their best showing on Tuesday night if they want to take down the King.

Rockets Fly into Charlotte to Battle Hornets, Close Road Trip

Three Days.    Question Marks.    One Month.

Could there be a sweep in the cards for Houston tonight? The Rockets won’t sweep many, if any, season series this season, but Monday night presents that rare opportunity. Houston flies into Charlotte for a match with the Hornets after having three days off over the Christmas break. The Rockets will try and snap a three-game losing streak they carried into the break. Three days off came at an essential time for Houston, who saw the return of Jalen Green in their previous game after he missed a month due to a hamstring injury. The rest period also gave Kevin Porter Jr. more time to nurse back from his thigh injury as well. KPJ is expected to play tonight, while Green is considered questionable. It’s nice to get Scoot back in the lineup, and Green should be able to play, unless he suffered a setback in his return during Houston’s previous game.

Charlotte’s struggled since these teams first met, exactly one month ago. In the first matchup, the Rockets beat the Bees in an overtime-thriller, for their second of seven wins in a row. Houston’s improved greatly since the first matchup, and can they replicate what they did a month ago. However, the Rockets have been finally hit with COVID, as the NBA deals with a league-wide outbreak. Houston was one of the last teams to have any players in the health and safety protocols. Probably because the entire team is vaccinated. Regardless, Garrison Matthews and D.J. Augustin will miss tonight’s contest after being placed in the league’s health and safety protocols. Charlotte will be without P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges for the same reasons. The Hornets still have plenty of talent, with their own three-headed monster of sorts that includes LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, and Terry Rozier. If Houston can contain this trio, they should pull out the victory to close this stretch of road games.

Since the month these teams first met, the Hornets are 4-8, while the Rockets are 7-8. Although, Charlotte is coming off a road victory in Denver, while Houston has lost three straight games. Nonetheless, the Rockets have a great chance to close their five-game road trip with a victory in Charlotte tonight. Hopefully Scoot’s return boosts the squad, and if Green’s cleared to play, the Rockets should have enough talent to pull out the win. With the most rest the squad’s had all season, the question remains… will rust play a factor and prevent Houston from bringing out the brooms? We’ll find out soon enough. 

 

Spectrum Center:  Charlotte, North Carolina

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (10-23):  White

Charlotte Hornets (17-17):  Blue “City Edition”

 

Tip-Off:  6 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Collapse In Indy, Fall to Pacers, 118-106, For Third Straight Loss

Failing to Finish.    Rookie Returns.    Recollection Time.

Jalen Green returned to action for the first time in nearly a month. Houston’s start rookie was so excited to play he lost his shoe in the opening minutes of Thursday’s 118-106 defeat in Indiana. Green scored 20 points in his return, including shooting 6-for-9 from beyond the arc. The Rockets as a team weren’t as stellar. Despite  trailing by 8 points after the first quarter, Houston slowly climbed back in the game,  even managing to hold a 3-point edge entering the final frame. But fatigue came back to haunt the Rockets in the fourth quarter, as the squad managed only 12 points, and were outscored 27-12 by the Pacers. This was the third game in four nights for Houston, and the back-half of a back-to-back. Christian Wood led the way for Houston with 22 points. Jae’Sean Tate supplied 18, and Eric Gordon added 15 in his Indiana return. Alperen Sengun flourished in limited time. Sengun registered 10 points, 8 rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals, and a block in only 20 minutes.

Myles Turner and Caris LeVert fueled Indiana’s comeback. Turned had 32 points and 10 boards for the Pacers, while LeVert supplied 24 points and 11 assists. The short-handed horses had enough in the tank to power past the Rockets in the final quarter, dealing Houston their third straight loss. Garrison Matthews had a quiet night, scoring only 3 points. But Green’s return was enough promise for a Rocket team that’s been screwed by the schedule gods in this first half of the NBA season.

After seemingly playing 15 games over the past 20 days, the Rockets now get three days off to rest over the Christmas break. It’s a much deserved break, as this team has truly had a jammed schedule in the month of December. They’ll return with two more back-to-backs to close the calendar year: Monday and Tuesday, and then New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Green looked very promising in his return. As if he’s finally letting the game slow down and come to him instead of trying to do too much. Houston now is only awaiting the return of Kevin Porter Jr. to be at full strength. Scoot is expected to return sometime soon, maybe even in the Rockets next game, on Monday in Charlotte. If not against the Bee’s, his return should come within the next few games. Porter showed he was much better then first time he came back from his injury, and learned so much from his time on the bench. Hopefully, this will be a Deja Vu experiment for the Rockets, only this time with Scoot remaining healthy. The last thing Houston wants is one of their best players developing an injury history. And if Green’s return showed fans anything, maybe a little time off to recollect oneself is the best thing for some of these young Rocket stars. Houston hopes Scoot returns to action when the team returns from their break on Monday in Charlotte.

Rockets Face Pacers in Final Game Before Christmas

The Return.    Short-Handed Horses.    Wrapping Up.

Jalen Green makes his highly-anticipated return to Houston’s lineup as the Rockets visit the Pacers in their final game before Christmas. Green has missed the previous 14 games for Houston, and his return comes just in time. The Rockets are finishing off a tough stretch with the second half of a back-to-back tonight in Indiana. However, tonight’s battle is a very winnable match for Houston. The Pacers are one of the more disappointing teams this season, with a record of 13-19. To make matters worse, their best player, Domantas Sabonis, has been the heavy subject of trade rumors. It hasn’t stopped Sabonis from being the most underrated big-man in entire league. Fortunately for Houston, they won’t have to worry about stopping Sabonis tonight, as he and Malcolm Brogdon are both missing Thursday’s game due to injuries. The Pacers have lost three of their last four games, and are coming off a 29-point beatdown at the hands of the Heat in Miami.  Houston has dropped two straight after getting blown out by the Bucks in Milwaukee last night.

How will Jalen Green’s return impact the Rockets? We’ll start getting answers tonight in Indy. It will certainly take time to implement Green back into the lineup. However, he was starting to finally find a consistent stroke in his shooting rhythm and overall game just before his injury. Houston hopes Green won’t take much time to get back to playing like one of the top rookies in the draft. Coach Stephen Silas will certainly have to adjust who’s playing time is impacted the most with Green’s return. It’s a good problem to have for a coach, as so many guys have stepped up in Green’s absence. Garrison Matthews emerged from the G-league, Armoni Brooks has really played well, and K.J. Martin is currently playing the best basketball of his career. Christian Wood’s been garnering double-doubles on a nightly basis, and we’ll see if the big-man can keep that up with Jalen back in the lineup. Look for Indiana-native Eric Gordon to have a big night for the Rockets regardless. EG is from Indiana, and played his college ball for the Hoosiers. Indy usually brings out the best in Gordon, who’s excited to play in front of his friends and family.

Tonight’s game is the final game before Christmas for the Rockets, who get a much needed three-day break. Thursday’s matchup also caps a brutal stretch of nine games in nine different cities for Houston, as 8 of their last 9 before Christmas were away from Toyota Center. The Rockets have yet to win on the second night of a back-to-back this season. Maybe Jalen Green’s return will end that streak. He might just be the present Houston needs to get back on track in time for the holidays.

 

Gainbridge Fieldhouse:  Indianapolis, Indiana

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (10-22):  White

Indiana Pacers (13-19):  Yellow

 

Tip-Off:  6 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Demolished by Bucks, 126-106, Lose 2nd Straight

No Freak, No Problem.    A Step Behind.    Nine for Nine.

Houston held an 8-point lead in the first quarter, but that edge was soon diminished by the Bucks. Milwaukee scored the final six points in the period, and never looked back. The Rockets trailed by as many as 23 points, as they got extinguished bu the Bucks, 126-106, on Wednesday night. No Giannis Antetokounmpo, no problem for Milwaukee. Jrue Holiday led the Bucks with 24 points, Khris Middleton added 23, and DeMarcus Cousins and Jordan Nwora had 18 points apiece. Wesley Matthews returned from health and safety protocols to score 16 points in one of his better games of the season, but he always seems to burn the Rockets, and it happened once again. Milwaukee stayed a step ahead of Houston after grabbing the lead for good at the end of the first frame.

Despite being a step behind the Rockets played hard, but this team is eagerly awaiting the Christmas break, when they’ll get three days off, the most for Houston all season. The Rockets stayed with the Bucks in the first quarter, but seemed to run out of gas once the second period started. Houston will get Jalen Green back for their next game, tomorrow in Indiana. Hopefully Green’s return will give tired legs some needed extra rest.

The Rockets lost by 20, but still got contributions from almost everyone on the roster. Milwaukee’s physicality and veteran experience was too much for Houston to overcome. The squad still managed to have 9 different players score at least 9 points, led by Christian Wood’s 20 points and 11 rebounds. Double-doubles are becoming a nightly norm for Houston’s big-man, who’s been the most consistent Rocket leading up to the holiday break. One more game remains for Houston before they get three days to rest during Christmas. The Rockets travel to Indiana to face a much less potent Pacers team than the one Houston saw in Milwaukee tonight. And Jalen Green’s return just might be the edge the Rockets need to get a victory before the holidays.