Category: Uncategorized

Rockets Begin Their In-Season Tournament, Host Pelicans

Tourney Time.    Big Question.    Strive for Five. 

The Rockets play their first ever In-Season Tournament Game on Friday night, as they host the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans are reeling at the moment, having lost three straight. Zion Williamson didn’t play in their previous game for personal reasons, but he’ll be back in action tonight at Toyota Center. The Pelicans are an even 4-4 on the season. Houston is aiming for their fifth straight victory, after starting the season with an 0-3 record. The Pelicans are without All-Star guard C.J. McCollum, who has a collapsed lung and his timetable to return is uncertain. Regardless, the Pelicans have Zion Williamson, one of the most unstoppable forces in the NBA when he’s healthy. And when he’s played this season, he’s been healthy, creeping closer to achieving the dominant potential that was heaved on him when he arrived in the league. The Rockets will need to work as a team to contain Zion, as Houston aims to hold an opponent under 100 points for the fourth straight game.

The biggest question for the Rockets tonight is Alperen Sengun’s status. He is currently questionable for tonight’s contest after suffering an ankle injury in Houston’s win over the Lakers. If Sengun can play, the Rockets should win tonight. If the big man can’t give it a go, Houston will be tested for the first time all season without Sengun. The Rockets’ center has been the best player so far this season. The best teams find ways to win without their best players. Houston’s shown their lineup is deeper than most expected, and the squad has been playing at a very high, consistent level during this winning streak. Of the teams that currently have a top ten rating on both ends of the floor, the Rockets join only these contenders: the 76ers, Celtics, and defending champion Nuggets.

Houston will look to extend their streak to five as they begin their In-Season Tournament play on Friday night. How does the In-Season Tournament work? To summarize as efficiently as possible, the league created 6 groups of 5 teams each. Each team will play all four group opponents once before moving on the knockout stage. The group stage includes two games at home and on the road for all teams. So essentially, tonight’s contest means little more than the average game. This matchup will count in the regular season standings, but it will also count towards seeing who makes it out of their group. Two teams from each group advance. There will also be two wild-card teams from each conference to ensure there are 16 teams that make it to the knockout round. The Rockets strive for five straight wins tonight, trying to start their tourney play with a victory as the home-stand continues on Friday night.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

New Orleans Pelicans (4-4):  Navy

Houston Rockets (4-3):  “City Edition” White

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Dismantle Lakers in 128-94 Blowout, Win Fourth Straight

Locked Up Lake Show.    Selection Show.    Easy Recipe.

“Unselfish offense, aggressive defense… it’s a pretty easy recipe,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said after Houston demolished the Lakers in a 128-94 victory. The win is the fourth consecutive for the Rockets, who started the season 0-3, but now stand at 4-3. Despite no Anthony Davis and several other players, Houston’s latest victory was another impressive showing in this early season. LeBron James was held to just 18 points, which for him, is the equivalent of being “locked up.” Dillon Brooks had a stellar game defensively, and the squad did as a whole. This was the third straight game the Rockets prevented their opponent from scoring 100 points. Jalen Green led Houston with his most efficient performance of the season. The Rockets’ young star scored a season-high 28 points on 11-for-15 shooting. Green had added motivation from Coach Udoka before the game, who reminded him that Austin Reaves was selected ahead of Green for Team USA this past summer. Green did his best impersonation of the “Dunkstronaut”, after a steal on Reaves and flashy dunk.

Houston’s new uniforms looked very slick, and the court was a fresh spin on the usual hardwood we see at Toyota Center. In their latest blowout, the Rockets had contributions from nearly the entire team. The squad had 13 different players score on Wednesday night. Even Boban Marjanovic got to wow the crowd near the end of the game. Houston led from the opening tip in this one, and didn’t look back. Alperen Sengun registered 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, as he continues to show people why he’s one of the cornerstones of this franchise. In his first game of the season, Tari Eason was spectacular. Eason scored 9 points and grabbed 9 boards in only 14 minutes of action off the bench. He showed why he should be considered one of the best bench players in the entire league. Fred VanVleet didn’t shoot well, but dished out 10 assists. And Jae’Sean Tate scored 14 points, as he’s quietly been one of the most consistent Rockets so far this season.

Houston still has yet to play a team with a winning record, but one has to be blind to not recognize the difference in this Rockets team this season. Their defense has exponentially improved, and they’re sharing the ball on offense with more fluidity and efficiency, resulting in more controlled, productive play. These Rockets poke bears, spoil contenders’ hopes, and are in the midst of quietly gaining the attention of the NBA world. Up next, Houston hosts the New Orlean Pelicans on Friday night in their first In-Season Tournament game. The Rockets will have a different court on Friday as well, albeit a much brighter one than fans are used to seeing. The Pelicans will prove to be a tough challenge, and most In-Season Tournament games the NBA’s seen so far have been close and competitive. Expect conditions to be a little tougher against the Rockets on Friday night as Zion Williamson, one of the league’s best talents, comes to town. As Coach Udoka said, the Rockets need to focus on playing with unselfish offense, and aggressive defense, a blueprint for success that’s worked for Houston in their past four games… an easy recipe.

Rockets Eye Four Straight Wins, Host LeBron’s Lakers on Wednesday Night

Homecourt Heroes.    Break the Throne.    Urgency Test.

It’s been a long time since the Rockets had winning record during the season. Not since February 1st, 2021, when Houston was 10-9 during the end of the James Harden era have the Rockets had a record above .500. Houston aims to change that tonight, as they will look to win their fourth straight game and improve to 4-3 on the season. The squad welcomes LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers into the friendly confines of Toyota Center on Wednesday night. LeBron James is still playing at an absurdly high level, despite nearing age 39. James had 30 points in the Lakers latest game, a one point loss in Miami on Monday night. L.A. is 0-4 on the road this season, compared 3-0 at home. Expect LeBron and the Lakers to come out hungry for their first road win tonight. The Rockets are aiming to prevent that, as they debut their Hometown Heroes court and jerseys tonight. The threads honor Houston legends Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, who helped bring the Rockets their first titles in the 90’s. The uniforms are white with red lettering, and look very slick with a retro appeal.

The Rockets face their toughest test of the young season so far on Wednesday night. Dillon Brooks has already mentioned he’s going to “lock him up” when asked about James. Hopefully Brooks didn’t give James any extra motivation. Dillon the Villain’s been off to a sensational start, but LeBron is still one of the best players in the world, and it’s going to take a complete team-effort on defense to prevent James from delivering a monster performance. Anthony Davis left the game in Miami early and is considered questionable for tonight. The Lakers will be seeing the return of Rui Hachimura to the lineup after he missed several games with an injury. Can Houston push L.A. into an early season 3-5 hole, or will LeBron’s leadership be too much for this young Rockets team to handle? Tonight’s contest is the most intriguing so far on the season. We’ll find out soon enough. Isn’t it time someone showed James he’s over-the-hill? Father time is undefeated… why not start showing signs now? Houston needs to help Brooks on defense, who will be James’ primary, but certainly not only, defender. Besides LeBron, and potentially Anthony Davis, the Rockets need to keep an eye on Austin Reaves. The young guard can be deadly from the perimeter for the Lakers. If the squad leaves Reaves open, they could be in for a long, disappointing evening. Ex-Rocket Christian Wood is also returning to Toyota Center. Wood has been a nice addition for L.A. so far this season, and he’ll be seeking revenge against his former team.

Houston has fared extremely well at home after disappearing late against the Warriors in their home opener. The Rockets are now 3-1 at Toyota Center, compared to 0-2 on the road. This will be the biggest challenge Houston has faced in this early season. Other than the Warriors, they haven’t faced a team with a winning record. Despite having a losing record at 3-4, the Lakers will be playing with a “winning record” mentality. Houston’s young squad has shown vast amounts of confidence playing at home. And they get a jolt of energy in the return of Tari Eason tonight. Eason will make his season debut tonight after being out with an injury he suffered in the preseason. Last year, Eason was an energizer bunny for the Rockets. He should mesh back into his role seamlessly, although he may be on a minute-restriction for his first game. Expect tonight’s matchup to be closer than either of the Sacramento games. We’re likely in for a close game tonight, if the NBA doesn’t interfere. LeBron James has already started compiling about his lack of free throws, which won’t help the Rockets against an aggressive LeBron tonight. Regardless, whichever teams plays with a greater sense of urgency wins tonight’s contest. Hopefully Houston continues to move the ball on offense, attack the glass, and minimize their turnovers. If the Rockets can hone in on these areas… they’ve got a great shot to obtain their first winning record in a long time.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Los Angeles Lakers (3-4):  Purple

Houston Rockets (3-3):  “City Edition” White

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Dethrone Kings in 122-97 Romp, Win Third Straight

Something in the Air.    Clamping Down.    Home, Sweet, Home.

The Rockets battered and beat down the Kings for a second straight game, en route to a 122-97 romp. Houston led by as many as 40 points, as they put on another impressive performance, improving to 3-3 on the season. It’s the first time the Rockets have been at .500 since October 22nd, 2021, when the team was 1-1. And for the first time in over three years, something feels different about the air in Houston. Gone are the days of blowout losses, and disappointing letdowns. This Rockets team won’t win every game, but they won’t let their fans down in the process. Ime Udoka has done a tremendous job early in the season, especially considering Houston’s 0-3 start that featured a couple of heartbreaking losses. Jalen Green led the way in scoring with 23 points for the Rockets on a night where most rotational players were out of the game by the fourth quarter. Keon Ellis led Sacramento with 15 points off the bench in game the Kings never made interesting. Houston was in complete control from the opening tip, and didn’t look back on Wednesday night, as they swept this early two-game set with Sacramento.

One of the most notable differences in the Rockets recent string of victories has been their improvement on defense. After giving up over 105 points in each of their first four games, Houston held Sacramento below 100 points in both contests. The squad’s increased effort on the glass was a major reason the defense improved, and they’ll look to continue staying aggressive, attacking the basket for rebounds on both ends of the court. Alperen Sengun continues to be the best player on the Rockets. Sengun dished out career-high 12 assists against the Kings on Monday night. The big man also contributed 17 points and 8 boards on an efficient night at the office. Houston’s upcoming three-game stretch to end this home-stand is a little more difficult than the Sacramento Kings team the Rockets just faced. The squad needs to be prepared to stay focused, and be determined to outlast their opponent’s intensity. 

The Rockets have now won three straight games, all at home, and they’ll look to add to that win streak when they host the Lakers on Wednesday night. Houston has four games remaining on this lengthy seven-game home-stand. The Rockets have taken advantage so far, as the squad is 3-1 at home, compared to winless 0-2 on the road. The Lakers are winless on the road as well, and will be hungry for their first road win. L.A. is coming off a one-point loss in Miami on Monday night. If Houston continues to play together and follow their coach’s lead, they’ll have a great shot to keep a road win out of L.A.’s grasp. Nevertheless, the effort the Rockets showed in dismantling the Kings over two games should boost this team’s confidence. Houston’s ready to welcome anyone to Toyota Center. Besides the heartbreaking loss to the Warriors in their home opener, the Rockets have protected home-court, and they’ll look to continue that on Wednesday night.

Rockets Rematch with Kings at Toyota Center

Deja Two.    Even Stevens.    Bringing the Fire.

The Rockets are coming off their most impressive win of the season, an 18-point victory over the Sacramento Kings. Houston will get another chance to earn an impressive win over these Kings on Monday night, as the two squads get set for a rematch. Sacramento is once again without star point guard De’Aaron Fox. Houston will need to capitalize on his absence like they did in their victory on Saturday night. It’s difficult to beat the same team twice in a row in the NBA, but the Rockets have a legitimate shot at taking down the Kings again on Monday night.

Despite Fox’s absence, expect Sacramento to play better and harder than they did in the first game. Houston will need to match the Kings’ intensity level if they want to take the second part of this two-game set. Expect Jalen Green to have a bounce-back game on Monday. Green scored on 10 points against Sacramento over the weekend. Love the Rockets young star to be more aggressive tonight.

Everything is in Houston’s favor for a Rockets victory on Monday night. They’re playing an undermanned, Fox-less Kings team once again. And once again, the Rockets have home-court advantage. Can the squad impress the fans and pull to .500 with a victory on Monday night? A win would put Houston’s record at 3-3. Both teams enter this game with records of 2-3, the loser will be two games under .500, the winner, even stevens. Hopefully the Rockets bring the energy tonight against a Kings team looking to bounce back. If Houston can match Sac-Town’s fire… the Rockets have a shot to win their third straight game on Monday night. 

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Sacramento Kings (2-3):  Black

Houston Rockets (2-3):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Blast Past Kings, 107-89, for Second Straight Win

Back Ends.    Veteran Impact.    Back on the Boards.

For the first time this season, the Rockets won consecutive games, as they defeated the Kings, 107-89, on Saturday night. The Rockets built a big lead, which Sacramento erased early in the third quarter. However Houston managed to hold on, and Dillon Brooks put on a shooting display in the fourth quarter as the Rockets rolled to victory. Brooks led all scorers for Houston with 26 points, on an efficient 9-for-14 shooting. Fred VanVleet, and Jabari Smith Jr., who had his best game of the season, both contributed 21 points for the Rockets. Brooks and VanVleet’s veteran impact has been the strongest addition to Houston’s roster this season. Both players, especially Brooks, are off to fantastic starts in their careers as Rockets. Malik Monk led the Kings with 18 points off the bench. Sacramento was clearly sorely missing its leader in star point guard De’Aaron Fox. Houston took advantage of his absence to seal a Rockets victory.

Houston dominated the first and fourth quarters, despite scoring only 12 points in the third period. These back-ends allowed the Rockets to secure the win, along with their stellar defense. Despite the low scoring output, Houston only allowed the Kings to score 15 points in the third quarter. After being out-manned on the glass for several games, the Rockets worked on their rebounding in practice, and it showed on Saturday night. Houston out-rebounded Sacramento by 10, and were clearly more aggressive attacking the glass.

These two squads will square off in a rematch at Toyota Center on Monday night. It’s tough to beat the same team twice in a row, but the Rockets have shown improvement in each game this season. It remains to be seen if the Kings will still be minus De’Aaron Fox. Regardless, expect a closer matchup on Monday night as these two Western foes battle on the court once again.

Rockets Host Kings in First of Two-Part Showdown

Part 1.    Hometown Heroes.    A Chance.

“So you’re telling me their’s a chance!”, the famous quote from Dumb and Dumber comes to mind as the Rockets approach one of the dumbest parts of their schedule, consecutive games against the same opponent in the same building. It’s a dumb idea that began after Covid-19 changed the world. Anyways, Houston does have a chance tonight, despite playing the upstart Sacramento Kings. Their All-Star guard, De’Aaron Fox, is out for Saturday night’s matchup. Fox is Sacramento’s most clutch player, he was actually named the Clutch Player of the League in the NBA last season, the first recipient of the new award. He’s an essential part of the Kings’ core along with Domantas Sabonis. The Rockets, fresh off their first win of the season, have more than a chance tonight if they continue improving as they have been over these first four games.

Houston debuted their new City-Edition jerseys, which honor Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, earlier this week. The squad will wear the jerseys for the first time on  this upcoming Wednesday, when they host LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.  Despite tough competition, the next five games are all at home for the Rockets. Houston will look to be “Hometown Heroes” and upset some of their more talented and experienced upcoming opponents. They need to take advantage of Fox’s absence tonight, and pounce on a wounded Sacramento team. The Kings are 2-2 on the season. Ironically both losses have come at the hands of the team that ended their season last year, the Golden State Warriors. Sacramento is coming off a particular heartbreaking loss in their previous game, to Golden State, as Klay Thompson hit a buzzer-beater to knock off the Kings.

Coming off a tough loss, Sacramento will be hungry tonight. The Rockets need to exceed the Kings’ hunger, and protect home-court in the first of two straight against the the Kings. Domantas Sabonis will be the biggest threat for the Kings, and expect sharpshooter Keegan Murray to play well, as he has in his young career against Houston. If the Rockets can contain these two players from having monster games, they should win this matchup. The next five games are brutal for Houston, but minus De’Aaron Fox this evening gives the Rockets their best opportunity… and a real honest chance at a victory tonight.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Sacramento Kings (2-2):  White

Houston Rockets (1-3):  Black

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Sting Hornets, 128-119, for Season’s First Win

First of Many.    A-Men Down.    Forward Thinking.

Outplayed. Out-hustled. Overmanned. For the first time this season, Houston outmanned their opponent, en route to a 128-199 victory on Wednesday night. The win is the first of what will hopefully be many for the Rockets this season. Every Houston starter scored ate least 17 points in a balanced attack as the Rockets led virtually from the opening tip. The Hornets threatened with a run late in the first half to cut the deficit, but Houston never wavered. The Rockets came out of halftime and re-built their big first half lead as this game was never truly as close as the final score indicates.

P.J. Washington led Charlotte with 23 points. Terry Rozier chipped in 21 points for the Hornets, who have now dropped three straight games after winning their opener against the Atlanta Hawks. Jalen Green led Houston with 23 points on an average 6-for-16 night from the floor. The veteran newcomers were outstanding for the Rockets against Charlotte. Fred VanVleet had his best game of the season, scoring 22 points and dishing out 11 assists. Dillon Brooks scored 20 points on 7-for-9 shooting, and recorded a career-high 5 steals in the win. Alperen Sengun continued his steady play registering 19 points, 7 boards, and 4 dimes on the evening. And Jabari Smith Jr. had his best game of the young season, scoring 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting, to go along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Houston finally got that monkey off their back after recording their first victory of the season. The Rockets now hope to keep the winning ways rolling as their next games are at Toyota Center as the home-stand continues.

On a negative note, Amen Thompson went down with a Grade-2 Ankle Sprain in the first half and is expected to miss at least several weeks. It’s unfortunate for the rookie, who was starting to improve with each contest after a shaky start in his first couple of games. Hopefully Thompson will be back sooner than expected and can rejoin his teammates to help the Rockets garner more victories. Looking forward, Houston hosts the Sacramento Kings on Saturday and Monday night at Toyota Center. It’s an odd stretch in the schedule, and the Kings are a good team, but they’ll be without their All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox for at least Saturday night. If the Rockets can outplay and out-hustle the Kings in their next game, Houston has a legitimate chance to get their second consecutive win.

Rockets Eagerly Seeking First Win, Host Hornets

Must-Win?    Difficult Stretch.    Needed Urgency.

The Houston Rockets play part two of their seven-game home-stand on Wednesday night, as they host the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets had one of the worst records in the league last year, and are inexperienced like Houston. A victory still won’t be easy, as Charlotte has some young talent in LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, and Brandon Miller, the second overall pick in this past summer’s draft. Miller scored 22 points in the Hornets last game, and this young core is not to be overlooked. Charlotte dealt with injuries last season, so far they’ve been fairly healthy to start this season. The Hornets are 1-2 this season, and are coming off a pair of losses after an opening night win over the Atlanta Hawks. This is the Rockets best chance to get a victory for a while, as Houston’s upcoming schedule is absolutely brutal.

Of the Rockets upcoming 20 games, 18 are against teams that made the playoffs last season. After tonight’s game against Charlotte, this is by far the toughest portion of the season, schedule-wise for Houston. Hopefully, these young Rockets play with a sense of urgency, and realize how essential winning tonight’s contest is for the big picture of this season.

Alperen Sengun has been the Houston’s best player through the first three games of the season. Jalen Green is improving after a dreadful opening night performance. Amen Thompson is slowly adjusting to the NBA game as a rookie. The Rockets’ new veterans are still gelling and working on chemistry with the squad. Maybe that chemistry will finally result in a victory for Houston, as they battle a very beatable Charlotte team on Wednesday night.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Charlotte Hornets (1-2):  White

Houston Rockets (0-3):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Splashed Down: Curry’s Late 3-Point Barrage Spoils Houston’s Chances, Rockets Fall to Warriors, 106-95

Green Light.    High Leverage.    Upcoming Storm.

Houston returned home for the first game of the season at Toyota Center, eagerly seeking their first win as they hosted Golden State on Sunday night. The Rockets plans for victory were spoiled by Stephen Curry and the Warriors, who pulled away late in the fourth quarter, en route to dealing Houston a 106-95 loss. Curry scored 24 points, and Klay Thompson added 19, to lead the Golden State’s shooting barrage. Jalen Green had a second consecutive solid outing, scoring 21 points on 8-for-20 shooting, while grabbing 9 renbounds. Green clearly has the “green light” to be as aggressive as possible this season. He’s improving, but still needs to up his aggression level in the coming games. Alperen Sengun continues to be Houston’s best player to start the season. Sengun finished with 19 points, 5 boards, and 7 assists on the night. Jabari Smith Jr. scored 14 points and grabbed 8 boards in his best showing of the the year so far. Fred VanVleet struggled mightily with his shot, connecting on only 2 of his 13 shot attempts for 8 points.

The defeat is Houston’s third consecutive loss to start the season. Despite coming out on the losing end, the Rockets fought hard to the end with a tough, veteran Warriors’ squad. During the Stephen Silas era, this team would’ve folded and settled for a blowout on a night like Sunday. This Houston squad is more resilient, despite remaining winless, than last season. In high leverage games like this last season, the Rockets usually got blown out. This season, Houston has shown flashes of their overall potential as a unit. However, the squad has one of the toughest schedules to start the season in the entire league. If they can manage to weather this upcoming storm, and not lose too many games, Houston can be proud of their start despite their record. 

The Rockets now will have two days off before hosting the Charlotte Hornets in the second leg of this seven-game home-stand. After that, the schedule gets incredibly difficult, as Houston faces mostly teams that made the playoffs last season over the next month. The squad needs to be prepared to swat an inexperienced Hornets club out of the building, otherwise the Rockets could be in danger of facing a lengthy losing streak to start the year.