Category: Uncategorized

Guan-Down Dragons:  Rockets Tame Raptors, 114-110, to Start Road Trip

Hometown Villain.    Candid Cam.    Magic Tate Ball.

 

In his return to his homeland, Dillon Brooks led the Rockets with 27 points, as Houston beat the Raptors, 114-110, on Sunday night. The victory is the Rockets’ first win in Toronto in five years. After scoring 26 points in the Houston’s previous win over the Pelicans, the Villain poured in 27 more in his home country, further proving that Brooks is more than just a defensive specialist. Brooks also shot an impressive 13-for-14 from the charity stripe. Dillon “The Villain” grew up roughly an hour from Toronto, and he was a Raptors fan as a kid. 

The Rockets faced an early 16-point deficit early, and trailed by eleven points after the first quarter. However, they still managed to claw back within six points at halftime, and eventually rallied for the win. Cam Whitmore had his best game of the season by far. In his 14 minutes of action, Whitmore scored 11 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. This was his first time playing rotational minutes all season, and Slam Whitmore didn’t disappoint. His play ignited a Houston team that struggled to maintain focus and energy early in the contest. After tonight’s performance, Whitmore should never see the G-League again.

Jae’Sean Tate also had his best performance of the season. He scored 7 points, grabbed 2 boards, and had 2 steals along with stellar defensive play. Tate is currently the longest-tenured player on this team, and he makes winning plays, regardless of how often he sees playing time. Number 8 defines Houston’s Stay Ready Crew, and Tate inspires his teammates to play harder, a la Tari Eason. Tate is the unfortunate victim of playing for a team that has extreme depth at the wing position. It’s why Tate rarely plays rotational minutes any more. The veteran is skilled and plays hard enough to earn a spot on another team’s rotation. The Rockets are lucky they still have this Magic 8 Ball up their sleeve whenever they need him.

Fred VanVleet struggled mightily, scoring two points on only 1-10 shooting against his former team. Jabari Smith Jr. quietly had another solid game. Bari scored 15 points, to go along with 9 rebounds and 4 blocks. Jalen Green scored 22 points on 9-for 20 shooting, and grabbed  7 boards. And Alperen Sengun registered 17 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in the win.

Up next for Houston, the Rockets travel to Charlotte on Monday night for the second half of a back-to-back. Houston is seeking revenge against the Hornets, as they dealt the Rockets a loss on Opening Night at Toyota Center. This Houston team is a much improved squad since the first game of the season, and the Rockets should be motivated to earn another win on this holiday road trip on Monday night.

Rockets Head North, Face Raptors to Start Road Trip

Border Wars.    Diving Dinos.    Holiday Trip.

The Rockets head north of the border for their annual game in Toronto on Sunday night, as they visit the struggling Raptors. Houston is coming off a blowout win at home over the New Orleans Pelicans. Tonight is the first of a three-game holiday road trip for the Rockets. This game also marks another back-to-back for Houston, as they’ll play in Charlotte against the Hornets tomorrow night. And to close the trip, the Rockets will face the Pelicans in New Orleans on Boxing Day. It’s a great opportunity for Houston to bring some Christmas cheer to their fans over the holiday, as the Rockets have three very winnable games, starting with tonight’s Border War.

Toronto is struggling mightily, as they’ve lost six consecutive games. Overall, the Raptors are in second-to-last place in the Eastern Conference, with a 7-21 record on the season. Regardless, Toronto is bound is break their losing streak some time. Houston just hopes it’s not tonight. The Rockets needs to approach this team with the intensity they’ve shown throughout their best wins this season. The Raptors are led any Scottie Barnes, one of the best young players in the league. Barnes averaged 20-5 points per game in two matchups against Houston last season. Toronto’s rookie guard Gradey Dick is also off to a solid start to his career. Overall, the Raptors have won five of the past six games against the Rockets. Last season, these teams split the season series.

Houston has a great chance to continue building another winning streak tonight. The Rockets are a much better team than these Raptors, and as long as they don’t overlook their opponent, Houston should win this matchup. Jalen Green is coming off one of his best games of the season in the Rockets win over the Pelicans in their last contest. This trip is another chance for Green to hopefully implement some consistency  into his game. Maybe even evolve into the All-Star player and reach the potential Houston envisioned in Green when they drafted him three years ago. The Rockets are 4-0 when Green scores at least 30 points this season. Hopefully the squad avoids overlooking these Raptors. Houston’s holiday road trip starts tonight, as the Rockets aim to get a victory in their only game up north in Canada this season.

 

Scotiabank Arena:  Toronto, Canada

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (18-9):  White

Toronto Raptors (7-21):  Black

 

Tip-Off:  5:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Fly Past Pelicans in Dominant 133-113 Win

Offensive Outpour.    Green Icing.    Christmas Gift.

In their final game at Toyota Center before Christmas, Houston wasted no time in dismantling the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night. The Rockets flew past the Pelicans quickly, blowing them out of Toyota Center with a 133-113 victory. This game was one of Houston’s best offensive showings of the entire season. The Rockets scored 39 points in the first quarter, their highest in the opening frame all year. Houston used a 30-9 run in the middle of the first quarter to seize control of the game. Led by Jalen Green’s 34 points, the starters for Houston combined to score 111 of the Rockets total 133 points. Dillon Brooks started the charge with a 20-point first half. “The Villain” finished with 26 points on the evening, and Alperen Sengun registered 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in the win. But this victory was fueled by Green.

As New Orleans attempted to cut into Houston’s lead, Jalen Green ensured the Rockets would come out victorious. Green scored 22 of his 34 points in the third frame to ice the game for Houston. It’s also the most points Green has ever scored in a quarter in young career. This is the Jalen Green the Rockets are hoping to see on a most consistent basis. He’s shown flashes of All-Star potential, like in Thursday’s win. However, Green has yet to show the consistency needed in order to gain true respect from his peers as a legitimate All-Star caliber player. As Houston’s schedule continues to soften over the next three contests, Green has a chance to string a patch of solid performances together, hopefully instilling some consistent habits in his game.

As Thursday’s win over the Pelicans was the Rockets’ final home game before Christmas, the squad was able to leave their fans with a gift before they hit the road for a three-game trip that concludes with a rematch in New Orleans between these teams. Houston can pile on some wins if they continue playing disciplined basketball as they enter this holiday road trip. Besides the Pelicans, the Rockets will travel north of the border to Toronto to face the Raptors, followed by a matchup the next day in Charlotte against the Hornets. All three of these upcoming opponents are near the bottom of their respective conferences, so if Houston doesn’t overlook these matchups, the Rockets should have a winning streak over the upcoming Christmas holidays. 

Rockets Return Home, Host Falling Pelicans

Normalcy Returns.    Wounded Birds.    Discipline Over Rust.

After a lengthy break, the Rockets return home to host the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night. With the NBA Cup officially over, the season returns to normalcy, as all games we count equally from now until the end of the season. Houston needs to focus on piling up wins, and improving their seeding in the Western Conference. After this matchup the squad hits the road for a three-game road trip against teams near the bottom of their Conferences, concluding with another meeting with these same Pelicans in New Orleans on Boxing Day. Houston has a great opportunity to start a new winning streak on Thursday night. The Rockets are currently in third place, just a half game behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the second spot. After losing in the semifinals of the NBA Cup in Las Vegas this past Saturday, Houston has now had four days off in a row to rest. The Rockets should be ready to beat a bad Pelicans team on Thursday night.

New Orleans is currently in last place in the West, with a 5-22 record. The Pelicans have been without their two best players, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, for the majority of this season. And New Orleans just recently announced both players are available on the trade market. Both have struggled to stay on the court throughout their careers, but especially Williamson. Zion’s one of the best players in the NBA when he’s healthy, a sight fans have rarely seen since he entered the league. Both of their absences have obviously had a major impact in the Pelicans last place positioning. Entering tonight’s matchup, New Orleans has lost thirteen of their last fourteen games overall, mired in a slide that’s dropped them to bottom of the standings in the West.

If the Rockets focus on their opponent’s record in this contest, they could be in serious trouble of suffering a bad loss. Neither team has played for at least three days, so we could see another rock fight and a lot of defense on Thursday night. Regardless, Houston should win this game, but if they play lackadaisical they could very well be served a sour defeat. As with any NBA team, New Orleans still has some talented players on their squad. CJ McCollum has played well again Houston in his career. And newly DeJounte Murray can score 30 points on any given night. Both guys are All-Star caliber players, and will be the focal point of Houston’s defense. Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones are versatile forwards for the Pelicans who can also give the Rockets’ defense a headache. As long as Houston is disciplined and ready to play, they should beat this wounded New Orleans team, especially given the game’s taking place at the friendly confines of Toyota Center. Rockets basketball returns on Thursday night… hopefully featuring a Houston victory.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

New Orleans Pelicans (5-22):  Navy

Houston Rockets (17-9):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Desert Storm:  Rockets Fall to Thunder, 111-96, in NBA Cup Semis

Out of Steam.    National Humbling.    Break 4 Cup.

Houston trailed by only one point entering halftime, but the squad ran out of steam after the break, as the Rockets were throttled by the Thunder, 111-96, and bounced from the NBA Cup on Saturday night in the Semifinals. Oklahoma City will move on to play the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup Championship Game on Tuesday night. Despite having six players in double-figures, Houston couldn’t keep up with OKC in the second half. Amen Thompson led the Rockets in scoring with 19 points on a night no one really had it going for Houston. Despite scoring 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, Alperen Sengun struggled mightily, especially with ball control. Sengun had way too many turnovers that led to easy points for the Thunder.

OKC served out a dish of national humbling to the Rockets on Saturday night. The squad shouldn’t let this loss get them down, Houston just isn’t on OKC’s level yet, and that’s why the first-place Thunder have a healthy four game lead in the loss column in the West. And we’re not even a third of the way into the season yet. This OKC team is dangerous, and when Chet Holmgren returns from injury they will be serious title contenders. The Rockets were essentially dominated by only four OKC players in this game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Lugentz Dort combined to score 92 of the Thunder’s 111 points. That’s a whopping 83% of OKC’s total score, led by SGA’s 32 points. Regardless, the Rockets should still be proud of being one of only four teams out of thirty to advance to Las Vegas.

If there’s any silver linings from this loss, Houston will now have four consecutive days off. So they should be well rested, and ready to beat the struggling New Orleans Pelicans, who are currently in last place in the Western Conference. That’s as long as they don’t overlook New Orleans. Any team can win any night in the NBA. And if the Rockets focus on the Pelicans’ record, they could be in store for a disappointing return home on Thursday night. For now, the squad needs to rest up, as some guys like Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams are a little banged up, and could use the extra time to replenish and rest their bodies. Houston has an easy schedule coming up in terms of their opponents’ records. If the Rockets play hard in each game, they should be on winning streak in time for Christmas.

Rockets Clash with Thunder in NBA Cup Semis

Neutral Vision.    Necessary Villain.    Win or Go Home.

For the first time in franchise history, the Rockets will play a regular season game at a neutral site. On Saturday night in Las Vegas, Houston faces off against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinals of the NBA Cup. To reach these semis, the Rockets finally beat the Golden State Warriors, ending Houston’s suffering of nearly four years at the hands of their Bay Area foes. Oklahoma City ousted the Dallas Mavericks, 118-104, in the quarterfinals to reach this stage. The Thunder still sit atop the Western Conference in first place. OKC has been playing extremely well lately, winning eight of their last nine games. The only loss? To the Houston Rockets back in H-Town earlier this month. Houston barely squeaked by with a three-point victory in that contest. And on a bigger stage, the task will be highly challenging against a Thunder team with more experience, especially in big moments.

The biggest question for the Rockets tonight came earlier this morning. Dillon Brooks was a late addition to the injury report, and is listed as questionable for tonight’s matchup. If DB9 can’t play, Houston has a serious problem. The Rockets are already heavy underdogs heading into this matchup. Without Brooks, the anchor of their defense and toughness, Houston has even less of a chance to pull the upset. Hopefully, Brooks can battle through his illness and suit up for the Rockets. He’s one of the toughest players in the NBA, and given the national stage tonight’s game is on, Brooks should be motivated as ever to play.

Chet Holmgren remains out for OKC, but they still have an arsenal of talented players. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 39 points in the Thunder’s win over the Mavs. Isaiah Hartenstein was a force in the previous matchup between these teams in Houston. His battle with Aleperen Sengun in the paint is the key matchup to watch in tonight’s game. Jalen Williams seems to play better with each game as he continues playing at an All-Star caliber level. Defensive specialist Lu Dort is ready to be OKC’s version of Dillon Brooks. Houston’s been lucky as they’ve been relatively healthy all season long. If DB9 can play tonight, the Rockets should be able to at least make this game competitive. By finally downing their nemesis in the Warriors, Houston earned this little “playing vacation” out in the desert. But how long do the Rockets really want to stay in Vegas? A spot in the Championship game is on the line tonight. Houston’s mission to prolong their first stay in Sin City is simple: win or go home.

 

T-Mobile Arena:  Las Vegas, Nevada

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (17-8):  White

Oklahoma City Thunder (19-5):  Orange

 

Tip-Off:  7:30 PM CT

TV:  ABC

Rockets Sneak Past Warriors, 91-90, Advance to NBA Cup Semis

Vegas Bound.    Clamping Down.    Fair Call.

 

For first time in this last sixteen times, the Houston Rockets finally managed to beat their nemesis, the Golden State Warriors. The Rockets edged the Warriors, 91-90, on Wednesday night, and punched their ticket to the NBA Cup Semifinals in Las Vegas. Houston closed the game on a 7-0 run to sneak past Golden State. Once again, the Rockets clamped down defensively, as they held the Warriors scoreless for the final 3:03 of the contest. Alperen Sengun led Houston with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists. Jabari Smith scored 15 points, and Jalen Green hit two pressure-filled free throws to seal the win. Green finished with only 12 points, as his consistency continues, but he’s never played well against Golden State. What matters is he was able to knock down the crucial freebees that essentially gave the Rockets the victory. The emerging Jonathan Kuminga scored 20 points to lead the Warriors, and Steph Curry added 19 points for Golden State.

This battle was decided in the trenches, with players diving to the floor in the final seconds, with Golden State holding a one point lead. After a battle for the ball on the floor, a foul was called on the Warriors, which led to Green’s game-winning free throws. Steve Kerr and the entire Golden State team whined about the call on the floor, with only 3 seconds to go in the game. However, the NBA stated after the game that crew chief Billy Kennedy had made the right call. So any statements about calling the officials “elementary school referees”, as Kerr said in his heated post-game presser, can be put to bed. Houston won this game fair and square.

The Rockets led by as many as fourteen points in the first half, but the Warriors stormed back to take a one point lead at halftime. At one point, it looked like Houston was headed for a very sour sixteenth straight loss to Golden State. Facing a seven-point deficit, 89-82, with around three and a half minutes remaining, the Rockets closed the game on a 9-1 run to edge the Warriors. Finally, the nearly five year drought to their nemesis has ended. The dragon has been slayed. And with the win, Houston punched their ticket to Sin City, where they’ll face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup Semifinals on Saturday night. And it should be an thrilling affair in the entertainment capital of the world, marking the first time the Rockets have ever played a game in Las Vegas.

Rockets Host Warriors in NBA Cup Quarterfinal Showdown

Vegas Dreams.    Exorcise Time.    Taste of the Future.

“It’s not another regular season game. Some of these guys have never played on TNT,” Houston’s Fred VanVleet said when asked about tonight’s upcoming NBA Cup Quarterfinal matchup. Just another game? That’s what some players will tell themselves in situations comparable to these upcoming festivities at Toyota Center. But tonight’s game is different. On Wednesday night, the Rockets host the Golden State Warriors in the quarterfinals of The NBA Cup, with the winner punching a ticket to the semifinals in Las Vegas for a date with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tonight’s contest still counts as “just another game” in the standings, but this one means a little more to this young Rockets squad. A lot more. This is Houston’s biggest game in over four years. The Rockets haven’t played a match of this magnitude since losing to the Lakers in the 2020 Western Conference Finals. And it’s only fitting that Houston’s opponent for tonight’s huge contest is the Warriors: their nemesis for nearly the past half decade.

It’s been almost five years since the Rockets have beaten Steph Curry’s Dubs. The last time Houston downed Golden State, James Harden was still on the roster. To sum up this “rivalry”, the Rockets have lost fifteen straight games to the Warriors. It’s the longest losing streak against any single opponent in Houston’s franchise history. A long-enduring suffering that has to eventually come to an end. Will tonight be the night?

This season, the Rockets are 0-2 against the Dubs, with both losses coming against a Curry-less Warriors team. Tonight, Curry will be in the lineup. And he has a history of lighting up Toyota Center throughout his storied career. Curry is the ultimate Rocket-Killer. The face of Houston’s super-nemesis, these Golden State Warriors. And he’s caused more heartbreak in H-Town than any single opposing player in Rockets history. Houston needs their “A” game tonight, along with a little luck from the basketball gods, in order to prevent Curry from spoiling another night in Houston.

In good news, Tari Eason returns from concussion protocol after missing the last two games. Eason was instrumental in leading Houston’s comeback in the first meeting between these quads. And for this monumental game, the Terror Twins are reactivated and ready to go. And Fred VanVleet is back in the lineup after missing the previous game. However, Alperen Sengun is listed as questionable due to knee soreness. If Sengun can’t play, the Rockets are in trouble. Jalen Green has struggled mightily against Golden State throughout his career. The Warriors seem to currently have the Rockets and Jalen Green’s number. And Draymond Green is back in Golden State’s lineup after missing the last matchup between these Western foes.

Will Houston finally slay the dragon  and exorcise the demons that have tormented this squad for half a decade? The Rockets should have a decent shot to win, but any time Steph Curry has been on the opposing side, it hasn’t turned out well for Houston, especially for the last four years running. Expect anything but a normal game tonight. This is the closest the Rockets will experience a playoff-like atmosphere until (and if) they make the postseason at regular season’s end. It’s a taste of the future for this Houston team who’s young core has yet to experience playoff basketball. And for tonight’s dish, Dillon Brooks and Draymond Green will ensure the proceedings turn dicey. The Rockets have yet to lose an NBA Cup game at home. And on Wednesday night, Houston has a chance to prove they’re legitimate in front of a nationally televised audience. With a trip to Vegas on the line, and the Rockets motivated to avoid a sour sixteenth straight loss to the Warriors… tonight’s matchup is not just another regular season game.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Golden State Warriors (14-9):  White

Houston Rockets (16-8):  Black

 

Tip-Off:  8:30 PM CT

TV:  TNT,  Space City Home Network

Rockets Sink Clippers, 117-106, Behind Green’s 31 Points

Perfect Cut.    Stay Ready Crew.    Building Momentum.

Houston ended their road trip in the NBA’s newest arena, Intuit Dome, and earned their third win over the Clippers this season with a 117-106 triumph on Sunday night. The Rockets were without two key rotational pieces, Fred VanVleet and Tari Eason, but still managed to win in relatively comfortable fashion. James Harden didn’t play for Los Angeles, which didn’t hurt Houston’s path to victory by any means. Jalen Green scored 31 points to lead the Rockets’ offensive attack. In his second start of the season, Amen Thompson scored a season-high 22 points. Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. both had double-doubles, and Dillon Brooks also added 19 points for Houston. Bones Hyland led the Clippers with 22 points, and Ivica Zubac chipped in 21 points and 12 rebounds, but without the Beard, they didn’t have enough firepower to contend with the Rockets. And “The Wall” inside Intuit Dome had little effect on Houston’s players.

Several guys saw extended minutes for Houston in the absences of VanVleet and Eason on Sunday night. The “Stay Ready Crew” was prepared to come in and contribute winning plays. Aaron Holiday scored 11 points in 19 minutes off the bench. Jae’Sean Tate scored 6 points and grabbed 4 boards. Steven Adams also chipped in 4 points and 4 rebounds off the pine for the Rockets. Reed Sheppard played 11 minutes and once again had a dismal performance, further adding proof he needs to be sent to the G-League. The rookie just isn’t ready for this stage yet, and Houston has guys like Aaron Holiday, or the recently called-up Cam Whitmore, who are far better players at this moment. Theses Rockets are in win-now mode, trying to win as many games as possible in order to gain a solid position come playoff time. Houston simply doesn’t have the luxury to play someone like Sheppard who should be in the G-League, just because he was the third overall pick. With a sample size of 24 games now, it’s evident the rookie is on the verge of being a bust. But General Manager Rafael Stone has built such a deep team, and many are players he drafted (Sengun, Green, Eason, Thompson). The Rockets are in great position as long as they don’t like their bust of a rookie ruin their season.

Houston is now a perfect 3-0 against the Clips this season, as they were able to salvage a win to close out their West Coast road trip. This victory was important as the squad needed some sort of momentum heading into the next matchup. Which happens to be the biggest game of the season. And the biggest in most of these young players’ careers. On Wednesday night the Rockets will host the dreaded Golden State Warriors in the Quarterfinal of the NBA Cup. Houston has lost fifteen straight games to the Dubs, but the Rockets have been playing well at home recently. The squad will aim to start a new streak against the Warriors, as the Rockets play host to the proceedings at Toyota Center on Wednesday night.

Rockets Make First Visit to Intuit Dome, Face Clippers to End Road Trip

Negative Streaking.    The Wall.    Missing Eason.

For the first time all season, the Rockets are moving in the wrong direction. Houston has lost two games in a row, after managing to plow through the first 22 games of the schedule without dropping two straight. And on Sunday night, the Rockets are in danger of continuing their negative streaking, as they visit the Clippers in their brand new arena, Intuit Dome. Tonight’s tilt is the end of a three game West Coast road trip for Houston, who is 0-2 so far on the trip. This game marks the third matchup against the Clippers for the Rockets. Houston is 2-0 against the Clips this season after beating them in consecutive games at Toyota Center earlier this season.

Since those early matchups, L.A. has shown real improvement. The Clippers are 8-3 since losing to the Rockets. And they’re 9-5 at home, as opposed to 5-5 on the road. Their new arena features a section called “The Wall,” which is designated for hardcore Clippers fans only. It’s basically if they let the Red Rowdies sit closer to the court and directly behind the basket, instead of farther up and out of player view sight. The Wall is located directly behind one of the baskets, and brings an atmosphere that resembles something more like college basketball. The new amenity, and first of its kind in the NBA, has already frustrated opponents. It’ll be intriguing to see how this Houston squad handles The Wall. The Rockets are desperately trying to snag a win on this road trip before returning home for a huge NBA Cup Quarterfinal game against the Warriors.

Tari Eason remains out for Houston, which is bad news. The Rockets spiraled downward after Eason’s season-ending injury early last season. And the effects of Eason’s absence have already been felt in only one game so far this year. Hopefully Head Coach Ime Udoka has his players fired up. Houston can’t play with any less energy than they displayed in their Bay Area loss on Thursday night. In other bad news, the Clippers are coming off a beatdown at home courtesy of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Expect L.A. to play much tougher and sharper tonight against the Rockets. And in other bad news, James Harden scored only 5 points in the Clips’ previous loss. The Beard will likely be licking his chops to have a go-round at his former team in his house. Normal Powell has been playing at an All-Star level for the Clippers, and his status for this matchup remains a game-time decision, one that will have a huge impact on tonight’s contest. Can the Rockets escape the Golden State with their first win in California this season? Find out tonight as Houston wraps up their first west coast road trip of the season.

 

Intuit Dome:  Los Angeles, California

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (15-8):  Red

Los Angeles Clippers (14-10):  White

 

Tip-Off:  8:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass