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Rockets Look to Rebound Against Celtics in Boston

Similar Foe.    Any Luck?    25 To Go.

Tonight, the Rockets take on the Boston Celtics, another team who’s had a disappointing season. Houston will try to take advantage of Boston’s miscues this year.

However, Houston hasn’t had much luck this season. Kind of  like myself. Apologies for the decrease in quality content this season. It’s hard to do this for free every single game, and try and maintain a life. But, this is the only Rockets diary on the planet. I’ll be doing this until the day I die. Hopefully, one day for a company who could used imported writing styles in their sports’ columns.

Houston has 25 games left in the season. 25 games to live, or die. Starting tonight in Boston, it’s ready to start get busy living or get busy dying.

 

TD Garden:  Boston, Massachusetts

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (13-34):  Black

Boston Celtics (23-25):  White

 

TV:  6:30 PM CT  –  NBA League Pass

Rockets Fall to Nets, 120-108, Despite Harden’s Late Departure

Strong Start.    Tale of the Tape.    Learning Lesson.

The Rockets got off to a hot start against the Nets on Wednesday night, but couldn’t seal the deal, as Houston fell in Brooklyn, 120-108. James Harden left the game late in the second half, and didn’t return.

Houston had a chance to win this one, but without John Wall, the Rockets couldn’t seal the deal. Kevin Porter Jr. got off to a hot start and finished with 20 points and 6 dimes. But, KPJ cooled off as the game continued.

This loss is a learning lesson for the Rockets. They played hard, but they lost to the better team. And that’s going to happen. A lot this season, as it already has. Hopefully next time, that hot start will last just a little bit longer

Rockets Hit Brooklyn, Aiming for Revenge on Harden’s Nets

Harden the Interruption.    The Evil Empire.    Lighting the Firewood.

“You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” You’ve probably heard the famous quote from the best comic book movie ever made, The Dark Knight. And as the Rockets head up to visit their hero of the past, currently the best player in the NBA, and favorite to win this year’s MVP, you know his name… James Harden, the squad has their hands full. Regardless, Houston should be motivated to try and beat Harden at least once this season, and tonight is their last chance. And while John Wall won’t play tonight, Christian Wood, the new cornerstone of the franchise, returns to action for the Rockets.

After forming their super-team of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, the Nets are the NBA’s new Evil Empire. The most talented team in the league, arguably one of the most skilled ever assembled. Still, the Rockets should have an extra boost in motivation going up against the player who tore Houston’s season apart, and set the Rockets trajectory on a new path with his departure.

It’s still weird seeing The Beard in Nets jersey. But get used to it. Harden’s time in Houston is far in the past. It’s a new era in Rockets basketball. The youth movement, a bunch of guys with chips on their shoulders ready to prove the world that they’re better than when they were initially scouted. One way to prove it? Go up against the baddest man on the planet, James Edward Harden, the guy who used to be a hero in Houston, before his sinister departure… it’s time for the Rockets to take down their ultimate villain.

 

Barclays Center:  Brooklyn, New York

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (13-33):  White

Brooklyn Nets (32-15):  Blue

 

TV:  6:30 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Mauled Late by Grizzlies, Fall to Memphis, 120-110

Veloci-Ciunas.    Trapped Late.    Onto the Dark Side.

In a game the Rockets looked poised to win, Houston fell apart in the fourth quarter, getting outscored 30-19, as the Grizzlies beat the Rockets, 120-110, on Monday night. Kelly Olynyk had another fantastic game for Houston, leading the squad in scoring with 25 points, and in rebounding as well, snagging 9 boards. The newest Rocket has been another pleasant surprise, and fits seamlessly with Hosuton’s playing style. However, Jonas Valanciunas was too much for the Rockets to handle. Valanciunas had 30 points and 15 boards to propel Memphis to a late victory.

Maybe it was a waning focus as the game moved on. Houston plays James Harden and the Brooklyn Nets in their next game. Perhaps they started looking ahead to Wednesday. Regardless, Houston lost another game they should have won, in what has truly become a lost season. Granted they were without Christian Wood, who was a late scratch for the second straight night, but Houston had this game in control, the squad just failed to execute late.

And now, in this dark season, the Rockets travel to Brooklyn to face an old friend, now a foe… the man who tore Houston apart. It’s time for some revenge on Wednesday night.

Rockets Seeking to Avoid a Bear Trap as Grizzlies Visit Town

Do it Again.    Another Debut?    Trap Game.   

Houston hosts the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night, as the Rockets look to win two games in a row for the first time in months. The squad will look to repeat what they accomplished last game: garner multiple players in double-figures, and have everyone bringing contributions to the court. Memphis is a game below .500 and fighting for one of the last playoff spots, so the Grizzlies certainly have something to play for. The Rockets will need to bring it, if they want to beat a much better team with an animal as its mascot than the squad Houston faced over the weekend in Minnesota.

Avery Bradley, the other player the Rockets got in the P.J. Tucker trade, is questionable for Monday night’s action. Bradley has yet to play, but should bring the squad some veteran leadership, and more importantly, some much-needed defensive help on the perimeter. Kelly Olynyk had an outstanding debut for Houston on Saturday. Hopefully Bradley is able to play tonight, and follows suit.

One would think it’s impossible for a bad team to have a trap game, but tonight’s a trap game, in the rare case for this 13-32 Rockets team. Houston travels to Brooklyn to face some guy named James Harden on Wednesday night. Harden’s the MVP this season in the eyes of many pundits. And they’re not wrong. He’s the same old Harden who held his own “Unguardable Tour” at one point in Houston. And the Rockets, especially John Wall, want to beat him so bad, at least once this season. And Wednesday’s Houston’s last chance to accomplish the feat. But the Rockets can’t look ahead and ignore Monday’s game. I’m excited just writing and thinking about Wednesday’s game. It wouldn’t be natural if Houston’s players didn’t feel that same excitement. Nevertheless, for now… the Rockets need to stop Ja Morant, and his incoming Bear Trap.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Memphis Grizzlies (21-22):  Blue

Houston Rockets (13-32):  Red

 

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Payback Pitch:  Rockets Feast on Wolves, 129-107, Avenge Previous Loss

Seven Samurai.    Solid Debut.    More Like This.    

For the first time in seemingly years, the Houston Rockets won in blowout fashion. KPJ and crew flipped the script in Round 2. The squad got revenge in the second half of their Minnesota back-to-back, as the Rockets smashed the Wolves, 129-107, for their 13th win of the season. Houston had an all-around team effort in the victory. Kevin Porter Jr. started hot, and led the team in scoring with 25 points. But it wasn’t only KPJ who added fuel to this fire of burning wolves. Houston had 7 players finish in double-figures. From D.J. Augustin, who scored 20 points, and led the Rockets’ charge during Minnesota’s comeback attempt. John Wall scored 13 points and dished out 12 dimes. And Sterling Brown scored 16 points, as the Rockets won their easiest game of the season. Houston led by 12 after the first period. Minnesota made a late charge near the end of the third period, but Augustin made sure the Wolves wouldn’t get any closer.

In his debut, Kelly Olynyk already looks like a perfect fit for this Rockets team. The newest guy scored 16 points, to go along with 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Expect Olynyk to fit seamlessly into Houston’s rotation. The other new guy, Avery Bradley, has yet to play is questionable for the Rockets’ next game, on Monday. But Bradley’s a great defender who should help one of the worst defensive teams in basketball. We’ll have to wait to see what exactly Avery brings to the court, but Olynyk showed his versatility in his first game as a Rocket. His ability to play both ends is what this Houston team needs, and his basketball IQ was on full display on the offensive end of the floor.

If only the Rockets could have more games like this. The wins have become rare, let alone blowout victories. Enjoy the rare Rocket-cruises while you can this season. Houston has the toughest remaining schedule in the league, so don’t expect many more games like Saturday night. Up next the Rockets host the Grizzlies, in what could be potentially a trap game. Why? The team’s headed to Brooklyn on Wednesday night. To face a familiar Beard, a guy who used to, seemingly for years, give the Rockets many more nights like this.

Rockets Hope to Forget Previous Game, Ready to Hunt Wolves Again in Minnesota

Part 2.    Avoiding Deja Vu.    New Debuts?

The Rockets visit the Wolves for Part 2 of the Ugly Duckling Series on Saturday night. Houston had a historic collapse in Part 1 on Friday night. The Rockets led by as many as 19 points, including a 16-point advantage with around seven and a half minutes to play, but failed to score after that point in the game, as Minnesota ended the contest on a 22-0 run.

Houston will look to avoid deja vu as these squads do battle in the same place at the same time tonight. The Rockets, as evidenced last game, have the more talented squad. Houston just failed to close, and disappeared in the final quarter. If the Rockets can put four quarters together against this Wolves squad, Houston should come away with a victory in Part 2, and avoid an embarrassing sweep to the worst team in basketball.

There may be new debuts for Houston tonight, as Kelly Olynyk and Avery Bradley may see their first action, pending on if they’ve passed physicals, trade protocols, and everything the league requires before traded players can play their first games with new teams. Hopefully, if they do play, they can give the Rockets some needed-boost. The squad needs to forget about last night’s disaster, and quickly. The only way to that? Take care of business tonight in Part 2.

 

Target Center:  Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (12-32):  Black

Minnesota Timberwolves (11-34):  Green

 

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Tank Show:  Rockets Snatch Defeat from the Jaws of Victory, Collapse to Wolves, 107-101

Ugly Ducklings.    The Un-Magnificent Seven.    Wash, Rinse, Don’t Repeat.

In the battle of the NBA’s ugly duckling’s, this game unraveled in shocking fashion, even make the headlines for the league’s bottom-dwellers. Maybe it was all the trades. Or maybe it really was some sort of NBA-amnesia, forgetting how to actually play the game, as the Houston Rockets disappeared on Friday night, collapsing to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 107-101. Houston led 101-85 with roughly seven and a half minutes left in the contest. But that’s the where the Rockets score would at game’s end, as the Wolves ended the contest on a 22-0 run, as Minnesota won Part 1 in this weekend tank show. Not that Houston was trying to lose, they just had an awful fourth quarter.

The Rockets shot 3-for-22 in the final period, scoring only 10 points, and none after the seven-minute mark. Even for bad teams, this was a pretty shockingly horrible letdown. Houston won’t have to wait long to wash this bad taste out of their mouth, as these two foes do battle again on Saturday night, right back in Twin Cities. The Rockets are looking for anything but Friday night’s twin on Saturday.

Houston will have to wash, rinse, and try and avoid a historic collapse. The Rockets controlled the game until the final seven and half minutes, where the team put on a disappearing act. It’s a 48-minute game for a reason. Houston has to focus in on finishing teams. Maybe they were surprised they had their biggest lead, 19 points, since their last win before the losing streak, on February 4th. Hopefully, they were in shock… because the Rockets all but had this one in the bag. Get ready to jump back in the pond in the battle of the league’s ugly ducklings in less than 24 hours. Houston needs to have Friday night amnesia heading into part two.

Twin Series:  Rockets Head North for Weekend Series with Wolves

Deja Vu Weekend.    Buying into the Rebuild.    The Lottery Battle.

Houston heads to Minnesota for the first of a back-to-back in the Twin Cities. The Timberwolves are the only team in the league with a worse record than the Rockets. Houston hopes to take advantage of playing the rare opponent, one who has even less wins than the Rockets, and potentially sweep the weekend. Houston is the more talented team, and it’ll be interesting to observe the squad’s first game after Thursday’s trade deadline that featured many moves within the association.

As was expected, Victor Oladipo was finally dealt, right before the trade deadline, to his preferred destination: the Miami Heat. In return, the Rockets received two veterans: guard Avery Bradley, and forward Kelly Olynyk, along with future draft picks. So… after trading James Harden, the Rockets have essentially taken part in one of the worst trades in NBA history. Houston received nothing close in value to giving away arguably this season’s MVP, and possibly the best offensive player the league has ever seen. With Harden, P.J. Tucker, and Oladipo all departed elsewhere, Houston has fully bought into the rebuild.

Tonight’s tilt in Minnesota could also be viewed as the “Lottery Battle,” with the teams with the two worst records in the NBA going head-to-head this weekend. We’d all love to imagine a world where tanking in pro sports doesn’t exist, but that would be a huge lie. Hopefully, the Rockets have some pride and can take Friday night’s game to begin this Weekend Wolf-Series. Regardless, Houston’s likely to finish with one of the top three worst records in the league. So, win or lose, tonight’s contest is centered on pride, more than how tonight’s result affects these teams’ actual spot in the standings… it’s time to show that H-Town pride again.

 

Target Center:  Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (12-31):  White

Minnesota Timberwolves (10-34):  “City Edition” Black

 

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Buzzkill:  Rockets Stung by Hornets, 122-97, as Winning Ways End Fast

Lost Season.    Regression to the Mean.    29 to Die.

Well that didn’t last long. Houston’s brief winning streak was halted at one game after Charlotte came to town and blew away any hopes the Rockets had for starting a winning streak. The Hornets stung the Rockets, 122-97, to push Houston back into reality. Terry Rozier scored 25 points to lead Charlotte over a Rockets team, that, if you haven’t found out by now, just isn’t very good. John Wall led Houston with 20 points, and Christian Wood had the poor man’s double-double, with 11 points and 10 boards. Victor Oladipo didn’t play for “personal reason.” Those “reasons” were his upcoming deal to the Miami Heat, as Oladipo was traded to his preferred destination, Miami, on Thursday. At 12-31, the Rockets are now completely focused on the rebuild. No more James Harden. No more P.J. Tucker. No more Victor Oladipo. It’s time to move on. How much longer will the old man, John Wall, be in Houston? Will he retire a Rocket, or move on elsewhere  to finish his career. Wall is injury-prone, but when healthy, he’s shown he still has plenty left in the tank to help a contender.
So after one win over the reeling Toronto Raptors, the Rockets are back on the losing side of basketball life. This team likely won’t win more than 30 games, but they have a far chance at landing the first overall pick, who most believe will be Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham. That is, if Houston keeps losing. And it seems that’s going to be the case. And don’t think the Rockets are tanking, because they aren’t. This squad’s just plain bad.

At 12-31, Houston sits barely ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves, avoiding the dreaded last place spot in the standings. Ironically enough, the Rockets’ next two games are in Minnesota, as Houston heads north for a weekend back-to-back in the Twin Cities. The Rockets would help their cause by losing both games, although I’m never one to embrace or suggest tanking… it’s merely their reality. Houston has 29 games left to die, and then pray they get lucky in the draft lottery. The squad’s set up nicely for a bright future, but the Rockets won’t likely be a contender again for another 5 years or so, depending on how these future pieces fit into place. So buckle up… the next ride’s only beginning.