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Rockets Blown Out by Jazz, 118-91, in Embarrassing Rout

Houston, we have a real problem. Not just a, “oh, some guys are injured, they’ll be back and we’ll be ok” problem. Not just a, “oh, the new players aren’t quite adjusted into the system yet, just give them some time” problem. The problem, as much I hate to admit, is that this Rockets team is simply not that good. Other teams have figured them out. Houston was given a great opportunity to start the game inn Utah on Thursday night when the Jazz’ defensive beast and reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert, was ejected early in the first quarter. Still, the Rockets provided little resistance, and couldn’t take advantage of the open paint area left by Gobert’s absence. Even on a night when Utah’s best player (and regular Rocket killer) Donovan Mitchell provided only 6 points in one his worst efforts of the season, Houston just wasn’t good enough. Utah’s two best players (Mitchell and Gobert) combined for a measly 8 points, yet the Jazz were able to handily beat the Rockets by 27 points. The game was hard to watch (for Rockets fans). Jazz power forward Derrick Favors took over for Rudy Gobert and bullied Houston in the paint, on his way to 24 points and 10 rebounds. Not a single player wearing a Rockets uniform scored more than 15 points in the game (for the first time all season, and I don’t remember the last time that happened). It doesn’t make sense, other than the fact that the Rockets just aren’t putting in the effort in practice and aren’t playing hard enough come game-time. Houston has two of the best guards of all time in James Harden and Chris Paul in their backcourt, yet the team is staggeringly worse this season. Maybe the two future Hall-of-Famers had too much fun last season, and are satisfied with cruising through the schedule like they’ll be an automatic playoff team. I hope they take a look at the standings because this season, the West is a LOT better. The Rockets just aren’t playing hard enough and are sleepwalking through the regular season like they can just put on a uniform and they’ll punch their ticket to the playoffs. Not this year, guys. Not in a season, which has never seen the Western Conference with so many teams who will legitimately have a chance to make the playoffs come springtime when the season winds down. Teams building chemistry, yet pummeling each other as they etch, crawl, punch, and climb their way to try to earn a playoff bid. The Rockets are taking the most of these punches. They currently sit in 14^th place out of 15 teams in the West (the 15^th being the Phoenix Suns, the NBA’s worst). The loss of Trevor Ariza was huge not just on the court for Houston, but in the locker room and off the court.as well. Trevor is a fun guy to be around. The Rockets loved playing with him and he was a veteran who took things seriously yet knew how and when to have a good time and understood all the little things it takes in the regular season on the long journey to win an NBA championship (Ariza won a title in 2009 with the Lakers). The Rockets will need to get him back once he’s available via trade Dec. 15^th (something that has been rumored). Otherwise, things don’t look they’re going to change much and the Houston could very well find itself on the outside looking in come playoff time. “I’m just not having fun anymore”, said Eric Gordon, among other things, after the shameful loss. Neither are the fans. And the team doesn’t look like they’re having fun. Last year, the chemistry was evident. You could just see it at games as guys rooted for each other and were just so happy to be doing what they love. Trevor Ariza was a huge part of that chemistry. This year, the squad looks confused and rattled. As if they expect they’ll be in the playoffs, no matter how much effort or attention to detail they give in the regular season. Harden and Paul need to be better leaders. The Rockets have way too much talent, and the team as a whole has way too much talent, versatility, and experience to be playing like an NBA bottom-feeder. They have the potential to be one of the best teams in the NBA, like they proved last season. If Houston thinks they can do just show up and yield positive results without playing hard, they’re in for a shorter season than they might expect. Simply put, the Rockets are the most disappointing team in the NBA at the moment. There is no reason for them to have this sort of record, with their current roster, at this point in the season. There are no excuses they can make. Up next for the Rockets, they travel to Dallas to take on the Mavs, the same team who smashed the Rockets in Houston only 10 days ago. Houston needs to start winning. Now. Starting tomorrow afternoon in Dallas. Or the Rockets might be going on vacation sooner than they expect.

Rockets Search for the Right Tune Against Jazz in Battle of Desperados

Houston really needs to warm up. And get hot. A streak is needed. Roster moves have been made. The Rockets finally signed Gary Clark to a 3-year deal worth $3.7 million. The squad waived impressive, gritty newcomer Danuel House, a surprise to many, considering House had been playing brilliantly as a glue guy for the Rockets, doing all the dirty work, and had come out of the blue basically to provide instant hustle, hard work, and hustle (he’s also a fellow Houstonian). However, the move was initiated in order to open up space for a roster spot via a trade in the coming days, according to reports. Seems like Daryl Morey, always on his toes, has a trick or two up his sleeve. Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets travel to freezing Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Jazz. Not the warmest place by any means, but a victory against a playoff-caliber squad in Utah on the road in front one of the NBA’s loudest crowds would be a nice kick-start victory that could send the Rockets on a much-needed winning streak. Despite their struggles and under-achievements this season a Western Conference that has never seen so many teams with playoff potential, the Jazz pounded the Rockets earlier this season in Houston in the first matchup between the two squads this season. Utah always has one of the best home-court advantages in the NBA year-in, year-out. Tonight, will be a tough challenge for the Rockets. If they want to prove their still a Championship-caliber team this is the sort of matchup that can turn into a statement game for Houston and their season. The Jazz’ young star Donovan Mitchell always seems to have his best games against Houston, and Ricky Rubio has been in a nice groove running the point, considering how injury plagued the Spaniard has been throughout his career. Houston will also need to keep their eye on sharpshooter Joe Ingles, who also seems to shine brightest he’s playing the Rockets. Clint Capela will have another tough battle down low tonight against the Stifle Tower aka Rudy Gobert, the NBA’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Another brilliant opportunity for Clint Capela to show why he deserves to be (and is rightfully so) an All-Star this season. The Rockets need to silence the crowd early, and come out with a vengeance as they were embarrassed by the Jazz earlier this season at Toyota Center, 100-89, on October 24^th. Times have changed. The Rockets roller coaster season continues. The Jazz have had a similar season of ups and downs. Let’s hope they can find the all the right notes in Utah to start putting a winning season together. Houston, despite being in 13^th in the jammed West standings, is only a game out of the 8^th and final playoff spot. Each game is drastically more important as we get deeper into a season that looks like 14 teams will be playoff contenders in the harsh West. Tonight, the Rockets have a priceless opportunity to move one step closer to getting back in the playoff picture. Hopefully the Rockets have taken note.

Vivint Smart Home Arena – Salt Lake City, Utah

9:30 PM CT – TNT, ATT Sportsnet

Rockets Collapse in 2^nd Half as Wolves Howl Back and Prevail, 103-91

Back and forth we go. The Rockets just can’t seem to get over the hump, and stay there. They had finally climbed back to .500, with a record of 11-11 entering tonight’s contest. Houston started pretty hot and even got to the point where they were sitting pretty on a comfortable 19-point lead. Then the cold kicked in. After a halftime performance by Coolio, the rims seemed to freeze up for the Rockets and the Wolves jumped on Houston’s ice-cold 2^nd half shooting, howled back from a 14-point halftime deficit, and bit the Rockets in the back, as Houston fell 103-91 to the Wolves Monday night in Minnesota. After scoring 38 points in the 2^nd quarter to finish the 1^st half, the Rockets managed only 29 points in the 2^nd half, including a palsy 9 points in the 4^th quarter alone. Houston as a team made a mere 5 shots in the final 17 minutes of the game, as their hot shooting from the first half turned in the second half to resemble the weather outside Target Center. The Rockets were only 13 of 38 from the field, including an embarrassing 3 of 22 from beyond the arc. Among the positives, Houstonian and the newest member of the Rockets, Danuel House, had another strong effort, and showed he’s earning his playing time as the season progresses. Clint Capela had another strong game, and outplayed Wolves big man Towns in the first half, but this was a tale of two halves as Minnesota came out inspired in the second half. The uptick in their defensive pressure had an extreme effect on Houston’s inability to make a shot in the final half, which ultimately gave the Wolves confidence on offense, got their crowd back into the game, and caused the Rockets worst collapse of the season. The Beard led the way for the Houston with 29 points and 8 assists, but the Wolves were the deeper team Monday night. Towns led the way for the Wolves with 24, but they won behind inspired all around team-effort. Minnesota had 6 players in double figures compared to only 3 for the Rockets. After having 7 players in double figures in their previous game, this season has been truly a roller-coaster ride for the squad and its fans. The ride doesn’t get any easier as Houston visits a desperate Utah team on Thursday night. The Jazz are among 14 teams within 5 games of each other in the barbaric West. The Rockets will need to put up more of a fight on Thursday if they want to avoid falling further down the standings

Rockets Intent on Softening T-Wolves Bite Up North

Poised to do damage and move up in the ruthless Western Conference standings, the Rockets finally have a healthy team rounding into shape, and a roster that’s looking complete in terms of player availability. Brandon Knight, who was acquired (along with Marquess Chriss) in the Ryan Anderson deal with Phoenix this past offseason, has been called up from the G-League and marks another step toward the guard finally adding depth to Houston’s backcourt. Brandon Knight has the potential to be a very solid backup to Chris Paul at point guard if he can stay healthy, as he hasn’t played in an NBA game since 2015. Minnesota has been a much better ball club since getting rid of their resentful star Jimmy Butler (sent to Philadelphia in a trade last month), resulting in a 7-3 record in their last 10 games. The addition of RoCo (Robert Covington, who would fit perfectly on the Rockets) into the Wolves lineup has given them a perimeter veteran presence that aids rather than hampers (like Jimmy Butler did) the confidence in their young stars. This is the first matchup between the Western foes this season, and Houston needs to be ready to face a T-Wolves team where chemistry is no longer an issue. A rejuvenated Derrick Rose is having something of a comeback season, and Karl-Anthony Towns will pose another challenge in the post for Clint Capela to overcome. Towns is Minnesota’s best player and the young star has thrived since Butler’s departure. Tonight, Capela has another fantastic opportunity to put the league on notice that he is a force to be reckoned with by outplaying Towns. Houston’s big man has turned into a double-double machine, is having the best season of his career by far, and looks to build on his tremendous season tonight in Minnesota. The Rockets aim for 3 in a row and hope to calm the Wolves’ opportunistic view on their own season. This contest will be a lot tougher than the last two the Rockets have faced, but Houston seems to be in a groove, and the Wolves shouldn’t be able to have enough bite to stop any punches the Rockets throw Minnesota’s way.

Target Center – Minneapolis, Minnesota

7 PM CT – ATT Sportsnet

The Beard, Rockets, Tame Bulls 121-105, Get Back to .500

The Rockets closed out the Bulls 121-105 Saturday night from Toyota Center behind a well-rounded team effort. Houston had 7 different players score in double figures, the most they’ve had all season. The Bulls just didn’t have enough talent, although played hard enough to fight back from a 16-point first quarter deficit to make the contest slightly competitive in the 3^rd quarter. Zach LaVine led the way with 29 points for Chicago and Jabari Parker contributed 21 points and 12 rebounds. Other than that, the Rockets spoiled Chicago’s sophomore sensation Lauri Markkanen’s season debut. One of the surprise rookies from last year, Markkanen was held to 10 points and 4 rebounds by a tough Rockets defense. Houston is slowly rounding back into form and proving how important health is to the team, and their success. With a record of 11-11, the Rockets hope to remain above .500 for the rest of the season as the squad’s health improves. Nene finally played his first game of the season after being out due to injury, and had an efficient 4 points and 3 boards in a spare 12 minutes on the floor. The Beard had usual Beard numbers: 30 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists. Clint Capela had another double-double with 18 points and 15 boards. CP3 led the way in the distribution department, who had 12 points and dished out 13 dimes to lead the squad. Danuel House yet again received the most playing time out of new Rocket players, and the way he gives it his all on every possession, to go along with his hustle and grit, has been a hit with Mike D’Antoni and the coaching staff. They certainly picked the right guy to call up. Gary Clark only saw 3 minutes tonight, and despite his solid rookie campaign, if House keeps up his great play, it could limit Clark’s minutes. A good problem to have for Houston, as their depth is starting to return to form as the team gets fully healthy for the first time all season. “Everyone is much more efficient when we have a full roster” Harden commented after the game, and a full roster also lends the Beard, CP3, and other members of H-Town’s main cast some more much-needed rest in an early season that’s seen Houston’s stars log way too many minutes. The Rockets improved to 10-4 when Harden and Paul are both on the court, and if Houston can somehow stay healthy (which has been an issue this season and in the past), they are still the most dangerous threat to the Warriors’ seat on the throne. Up next, the Rockets hit the road for a 3-game trip against teams battling for playoff spots in the West. First, they travel north to frosty Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves on Monday night. The T-Wolves have improved tremendously since getting rid of disgruntled superstar Jimmy Butler, whom Houston had tried and tried again to get via trades earlier this season as the T-Wolves wouldn’t accept any of Houston’s offers. Butler wound up in Philly and the Wolves have been a better team since. The Rockets need to keep the focus they’ve had since getting CP3 back in order to get their 3^rd win in a row, as they aim to end a 3-game road losing streak.

Rejuvenated Rockets Set to Run the Bulls Out of Town

Houston is back home for a game and then they’ll hit the road again for a 4-game road trip as the season is more than well underway. The Rockets will try and host a Saturday Night Sweeping of the Bulls tonight at Toyota Center as they face Chicago for the final time this season (unless Michael Jordan pulls a Benjamin Button, rejoins the Bulls, and they meet in The Finals). Houston won the previous matchup in the Windy City and they’ll look to build on last night’s Alamo City Destruction to get back to .500 in a Western Conference in which 14 of the 15 teams (sorry, Phoenix) have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs. Houston may be getting Nene back tonight for the first time all season, as the veteran big has battled an injury all year long. It’s another step in the right direction as the Rockets try and finally get a full, healthy roster together for the first time all season. The Bulls are still without their starting point guard Kris Dunn, injured in the opener. The Rockets need to stay focused, the Bulls, despite the record, are no joke. Zach LaVine has been tearing it up for Chicago as they develop their young players and work through the rebuilding process. Every process takes time. The Rockets want to make sure this one takes a little more time for Chicago and bulldoze their way to consecutive victories.

Toyota Center – Houston, Texas

7 PM CT – ATT Sportsnet

CP3 and the Green Light Return, Rockets Stomp Spurs, 136-105

Sometimes a little help from the doc is all you need. And several Rockets players who were nursing injuries returned to spark the squad to a MUCH-needed 31-point demolition over the struggling Spurs in San Antonio. Houston led from start to finish, just about, and built a 23-point lead by halftime. The Rockets shots’ were falling, and their defense was aggressive that left the Spurs tired and careless. CP3 was his usual floor-leading self (14 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds) while Gerald Green (aka Green Light) had 11 points to go along with 3 boards and dimes apiece, didn’t miss a beat bringing energy off a recovering Houston bench. James Harden had another near triple double and Eric Gordon continued his hot steak, splashing seven 3’s for 26 points on the night. Clint Capela had another monstrous double-double (27 points, 12 boards) in a season full of them. Capela has more than proven he can play with the best of the NBA’s big men (he outplayed Spurs All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge tonight), and if Clint keeps this up, he deserves an All-Star nod for the first time in his career. Newcomer Danuel House received the most minutes out of new Rocksts in the rotation, and continued to build on his solid play after being brought up from the G-League. Most importantly though, besides the stellar all-around play, was the rest provided for guys like the Beard, P.J. Tucker, Capela, EG, and others who’d been tasked with logging heavy minutes due to CP3 and other teammates’ injuries. This game also proved, that when healthy, the Houston Rockets are still one of the best teams in the league, and the main contender to dethrone Golden State. Red Nation is 9-4 when The Beard and CP3 both play, a winning percentage near .700, lethal for a team in this year’s barbaric West. It’s still only one game, but the Rockets have to approach the season as an onslaught of one-game battles, as they themselves battle to get back atop the standings in the merciless Western Conference. Houston dealt the Spurs their second consecutive loss by 30 or more, a rarity in the Popovich era. The Rockets can’t let their foot off the gas. Houston will aim to bring this swagger, spurred by their Alamo City thrashing, back home tomorrow night when the Chicago Bulls come to town. They’re coming off a 107-88 defeat in Detroit last night, and the Rockets hope to do the same to the Bulls in H-Town on Saturday night.

Slumping Rockets Look to Hit a Stride Against Spurs

Tonight, the 2^nd quarter of the season gets under way as the Rockets take on the Spurs in San Antonio. Houston will try and wipe the slate clean after an ugly start to the season, and attempt to regain the winning form that brought them record-setting success last year. Chris Paul is again questionable to play, along with Gerald Green, and Nene, who has still yet to play a game. James Harden will need some serious help tonight if the Rockets want to get off the schneid. Houston will rely on Eric Gordon again to put up big numbers, as Coach Pop will surely have his game-plan focused mainly on the Beard. The rookies will need to continue to play hard and get better with each game. Gary Clark has cooled off a bit but his tenacity and hustle fits right along with Isaiah Hartenstein’s energy off the bench. In the Spurs previous game, they got eaten alive by the Timberwolves in Minnesota, 128-89, and Coach Pop will unequivocally have the Spurs ready to play hard in front of their home fans to try and get a bounce back win. San Antonio rarely has two bad games in a row, and under Pop, they will be as focused and determined as ever to redeem themselves from their recent 39-point beat-down. Houston, who lost the previous matchup in San Antonio on Nov. 10^th, 96-89, will try and avenge that loss and finally get a win for the first time in 9 days. It surely won’t be easy. The usual suspects will be doing damage for the Spurs, DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge. The Rockets need their shots to be falling, or things could get ugly, and quick. A great win over a hungry Spurs team could spur some positive momentum to change Houston’s sluggish season. The Rockets need to start winning games before the season gets completely out of hand. The Spurs aren’t gonna hand them this one. The Rockets need to blast their way into the Alamo City and take it. They’re still the best team in Texas. Now’s the time to prove it.

AT&T Center – San Antonio, Texas

7 PM CT – ESPN, ATT Sportsnet

Rockets Fall Back to Earth, Far Below Season Expectations

“All those moments will be lost in time, like tears of rain” is one of the final lines in Ridley Scott’s seminal, innovative, 1982 science-fiction classic Blade Runner. Spoken by Batty (Rutger Hauer’s finest hour), the antagonist, before his death as he reflects on his experiences and imminent mortality, the line is part of one of the most moving soliloquys in film history. And if the Rockets want to start moving out of their current slump, they’ll need to take these words to heart. Last year was exciting and record setting, yet painful in the end. The Rockets need to forget about last season. It’s lost in time. We can look at all the glossy records and stats from last year but if the Rockets think they can sleepwalk their way into the playoffs this season, and then decide they want to play hard, they’re mistaken. This team is NOT last year’s team. Trevor Ariza isn’t walking through the door (not that I’ve heard of), even Luc Mbah Moute, who tailed off production-wise after a shoulder injury last year, is sorely missed early on this season. This year’s Western Conference is as savagely cannibalistic as ever. 14 of the 15 teams currently sit fighting for a playoff spot. This is unheard of in NBA history, even only a quarter into the season, with the Rockets currently sitting in 14^th place, only above the Phoenix “full-rebuilding mode” Suns. Undoubtedly, some of these teams will slide, but the crowded race for the playoffs won’t get any easier as the season moves on. It’s still only November, yet we are officially a quarter of the way into the NBA season. 20 games in and the Houston Rockets’ roller-coaster start to the season has been the biggest disappointment in the NBA thus far. A ride that’s contained more lows than highs. The Rockets have a 9-11 record that places them in 14^th place (yes, 14^th) out of 15 teams in the West. Sure, the 5-game winning streak was nice, but the Rockets never really recovered from their 1-5 start. However, it’s all in the past. The Rockets need to, as cliché as it sounds, forget the past, and move forward. Whether they want to admit it or not, the Rockets are still suffering from a hangover, one Chris Paul even said they shouldn’t have, because they haven’t “won anything”. CP3 is right. But his body isn’t. And if he can’t get kick his annual injury bug soon, Houston will have a serious problem on its hands. The Rockets are still basking in the glory of setting a franchise-record 65 wins last season. Those 65 wins… they’re lost… in time. Sure, it’s was nice to win 65 games but when it doesn’t come with a ring, frankly, all those wins, they really don’t matter that much. At all. It was a nice accomplishment but the Rockets need to move forward and realize you don’t just get 65 wins returning mainly the same core roster. Yes, the Rockets have had injury problems. Chris Paul’s injury bug has hit sooner than expected, Nene, and Brandon Knight have yet to play in a game. Gerald Green is still out with an injury. Eric Gordon missed a few games. The biggest disappointment, in all of this, would be the lack of help the Beard is getting. James Harden, despite the Rockets struggles, and getting off to a slow start himself, is currently playing out of his mind, and some of the best basketball of his life. The Beard is in his prime. RIGHT NOW. He’s set records in the last two games and is visibly worn out by the end of games without CP3 on the floor and the lack of Houston’s depth on the bench. Trevor Ariza really was THAT important. His absence is felt on both ends of the floor as the Rockets could really use a catch and shoot perimeter player who isn’t hesitant on offense and plays hard every single possession on defense. P.J. Tucker can’t guard everyone. If he could, the Rockets would be Champions every year. P.J.’s defense is that good and underrated. Sometimes it seems like Tucker’s out there by himself trying to guard 5 opposing players as the rest of his teammates squander around the court trying to find their man or their proper switch assignment. Hopefully, the Rockets defensive guru Jeff Bzdelik is finally getting used to the new roster changes, as the squad has only been worse defensively since he rejoined the bench after Thanksgiving. New roster additions James Ennis III, rookies Gary Clark and Isaiah Hartenstein have been a few bright spots for the squad, but their lack of experience will surely show in the playoffs. Houston needs to ditch MCW, whose been plain awful, and find a veteran talented wing player who can help fill the gaping holes that are evident when watching the Rockets play. Brandon Knight and Nene have yet to play, the young rookies Clark and Hustlestein look like future role players at worst and are slowly developing their games, but there’s no more time for excuses. Or the 2018/2019 Season will be known as the “Season of Excuses”. We’re a quarter of the way into season. Soon, Act 1 of the 2018/2019 regular-season will be in the books. If the Rockets keep acting this way on the court (lack of defensive intensity, poor communication, a sense of entitlement they haven’t earned) don’t be surprised if in April they’re fighting for a playoff spot the last week of the regular season. Yes, they’ll be better when CP3 returns. Houston is 8-4 in the lineup this season when they both play. The problem is, Houston won’t have the opportunity to rest their stars for the playoffs, as they will be fighting for their playoff lives if they continue to play this style of basketball. With CP3 super injury-prone, the odds are he won’t be healthy for the full season. It just stacks the odds against the Rockets. But last year, no one thought The Beard and CP3 could play together effectively. And that turned out all right. They weren’t listening to everyone’s preseason expectations, they just went out and proved their games and styles of play could complement each other perfectly. This season, Houston needs to forget the fact that they won a franchise-record 65 wins, were the talk of the league, and got the #1 seed in the West last season. That’s all in the past. Last season is dead. Move on Red Nation. This season still has life. James Harden is yet again playing at an MVP-caliber level, the rest of the squad needs to follow his lead. Or this season could be… as Blade Runner’s villain says at the end… “time to die”.

Mavs Steamroll Through Houston, 128-108, Leave Rockets Shaken and Stirred

Houston, we officially have a problem. Many problems. The majority of which were exposed for all to witness in Wednesday night’s 128-108 thumping, courtesy of their interstate rival, the Dallas Mavericks. Luka Doncic was sensational for Dallas, putting on his own highlight show, en route to 20 points to lead the Mavs. It didn’t help that Devin Harris had his best game of the year off the bench for the Mavs with 20 points, many of which came after the Rockets had cut the halftime deficit from 18 to 7 start the 4^th quarter. Overall Dallas had 8 players in double figures, and another posted 9 points, highlighting their overall depth. The Rockets had five players in double figures, but mainly all starters, as their bench remains depleted due to recurring injuries that have plagued the team since last season (Nene and Brandon Knight still have yet to play a game this season due to injury. Chris Paul’s yearly hamstring injury has come earlier than expected this year and he remains questionable for games this weekend. James Harden was great. In fact, he was record-setting for the 2^nd night in a row as he became the 2^nd player in NBA history (joining Magic Johnson) to garner 25+ points, 17+ assists, 11+ rebounds, and 6+ steals in a single game. The previous game The Beard became the 1^st player in NBA history with 5 games of recording 50 points and dishing 10 assists in the same contest. But without his backcourt mate, Houston is a completely different team. Harden gets worn down, including other key players who have to do more (Tucker, Gordon) and it shows the most late in games when fatigue is an obvious factor on the team. Still, CP3 or no CP3, the Rockets should be able to beat this young Mavs team at home. Or at least make the game competitive. They didn’t do that. They couldn’t do that. The Rockets have become a team who no longer has championship aspirations, but only hope to make the playoffs. They sit 14^th in a Western Conference that takes no prisoners 14 of the teams in the West will be fighting for a playoff spot. The Rockets need to hope Chris Paul can get healthy, but more importantly stay healthy. Looking at his recent history in the past two seasons, that’s wishful thinking. And there’s no time to rest him. Houston’s already behind in a crowded race in the standings no one saw coming. Maybe Daryl Morey can execute some magic and get the Rockets some much-needed defensive presence on the wing. A presence that’s absence has made the most difference in Houston’s baffling struggles through 20 games this season. A presence that vanished when the team lost Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute in Free Agency last season. There’s no time for dwelling on the past. The next game is HUGE. A win puts the Rockets one game within .500, while a loss knocks them 3 games below .500. As the season gets longer, Houston’s playoff hopes will diminish if they don’t start winning as a team. No matter who’s on the court, other guys need to step up. We all know the squad is better than this. Hopefully the Mavs beat-down finally woke up some spirit and sense of urgency in Houston. Otherwise, it’ll just be another game in a season full of painful defeats. The Rockets’ Texas Two-Step continues when Houston visits San Antonio to battle the Spurs (one of many teams in the crowded Western playoff race). Houston looks to break its losing streak and avenge the Dec. 10^th loss they already suffered earlier this season in the Alamo City. Hopefully, D’Antoni and The Beard can stir up a winning cocktail while CP3’s status remains in limbo. Otherwise, the season will be in limbo. Big time.