Category: Uncategorized

Rockets Sliced and Diced by Cavs in 124-89 Route

Best to Worst.    Early Exit.    Sealed by Sengun.

Coming off their most impressive victory of the season, the Rockets had high hopes entering their matchup in Cleveland. Those hopes were quickly laid to rest, as Houston suffered their worst loss of the season, a 124-89 beatdown at the hands of the Cavaliers. The Rockets never led, and trailed by as many as 45 points in this ugly loss. Granted, Houston was very shorthanded with no Eric Gordon, Christian Wood, Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., and Danuel House Jr. Regardless, you should never lose by 35 points, but the Rockets were gassed. All these games bunched together are starting to wear the injury-plagued sqaud down. And there’s no rest for the weary, as Houston plays again on Thursday night. 

Stephen Silas even took an early exit to the locker room at the end of the first quarter. No, it wasn’t because he couldn’t stand the sight of what was unraveling on the court. Coach Silas was dehydrated, and   assistant coach John Lucas took over the head coaching reigns for the ailing Silas. According to reports, Silas is feeling better, and plans to be with the team as they take on the Knicks back in Houston on Thursday.

If there was one Rocket who didn’t look exhausted, it was Alperen Sengun. The 19-year-old rookie put on a show in his best individual game of the year. Sengun supplied a career-high 19 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block in 28 minutes of action, the most he’s ever played in an NBA game. With no Wood, Sengun got more looks and opportunities to display why he deserves to be unleashed. The days of Sengun seeing less than 20 minutes a night should be over. Houston’s prized rookie, the steal of the draft at the 16th pick, is too talented and deserves at least 20-25 minutes a night. It might sound simple, but Sengun makes winning plays, and the Rockets simply play better when he’s on the court.

Houston aims to get back on track as they make a quick pit-stop home to host the Knicks on Thursday, before heading back out on the road. New York has struggled lately, losers of four games in a row. If the Rockets can muster the energy, they should have high hopes they can get back in the winning column when they return home on Thursday night.

Rockets Battle Cavs in Matchup of Hot Teams

Heated Surprises.    Absent Gordon.    Knocking on Wood.

Houston closes their three-game road trip with a visit to Cleveland to face the Cavaliers on Wednesday night. Both teams are two of the hottest teams in the league at the moment. The Rockets and Cavs are both 8-2 in their last ten games. Houston is coming off their most impressive outing, a 19-point comeback win over the Hawks in Atlanta. Cleveland is riding a four-game winning streak, plus their only losses over the past ten games are to the Bucks and Jazz, two Finals contenders. The Cavs have been the biggest surprise of the entire NBA this season. No one expected Cleveland to be competitive this year, yet the Cavs stand in fourth place in the East at this point, with a 17-12 record. Their rookie, Evan Mobley, the third pick in the draft, is currently the front-runner for Rookie of the Year. Mobley was chosen one spot after Houston picked Jalen Green at second. Green is still out tonight for the Rockets, although recent reports indicate he’s making progress, and shouldn’t be out too much longer. Before going down, Green was averaging 14 points a game, and starting to show signs of consistency after an up-and-down start to his NBA career. Mobley, on the other hand, has only missed 4 games for Cleveland, and is averaging 13.8 points and 8.3 rebounds a night. Besides Mobley, the Cavs have six other players averaging double-figures in scoring.

Cleveland’s guard Darius Garland is their best overall player, and having a breakout season. Collin Sexton, previously thought to be the face of the Cavs’ future, suffered a season-ending injury earlier this year. His absence opened the door for more touches for Garland, and he’s one of the main reasons the Cavs are surprising teams across the league. Jarret Allen is also having a monster year in the ‘Land. Cleveland’s center will pose plenty of problems for Houston in the paint. Allen is averaging 17.3 points and 11.1 rebound per game, both career-highs. Kevin Love is also having a renaissance of sorts in Cleveland. The former All-Star is coming off the bench for the Cavs, but he’s still producing in limited minutes, especially recently. Love led Cleveland with 23 points in their last game, a win over the Miami Heat. Love, along with Cedi Osman are the Cavs two biggest shooting threats on the perimeter. The Rockets can’t afford to leave either of them open, or Cleveland’s longest tenured-duo will make Houston pay.

After coming off of his best game of the season, Eric Gordon will miss tonight’s contest with a groin injury. The Rockets will need everyone to step up, as has been the case during what’s turning into an injury-plagued Houston roster. Christian Wood is questionable as well for Houston. And the squad is still missing Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., and Danuel House Jr. If Wood is unable to go, expect Daniel Theis and Alperen Sengun to get heavy minutes.Instead of a Green/Mobley showdown, another Houston rookie might square off against Mobley in the post. With more playing time and each passing game, Sengun is improving and showing he’s likely the steal of the most recent draft, with the Rockets snagging him at the 16th spot. Sengun might have his bets chance yet to out on a show in big minutes tonight in Cleveland. Allen and Mobley pose challenging obstacles, but Sengun impressed the Greek Freak the other night… Al-P isn’t afraid to attack anyone. Hopefully, Christian Wood can go tonight for Houston, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Houston plays it cautious with Wood. Tonight is the first half of a back-to-back for the Rockets, who travel home tomorrow to host the Knicks. But before they return to Houston… these Rockets just might have another road-shocker for the NBA’s most-surprising team.

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse:  Cleveland, Ohio

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (9-18):  Red

Cleveland Cavaliers (17-12):  White

 

Tip:  6 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Splashlanta:  Rockets Rally to Shock Hawks, 132-126, in Impressive Comeback Win

DJ of the Night.    Reserve Rally.    The Ultimate Pro.

It appeared this game was out of reach for the Rockets. Houston trailed by as many as 19 points at one moment, and the score read 97-80 with under a minute remaining in the third period. But this is a different Rockets team than the squad we saw a month ago. Eric Gordon and D.J. Augustin led a furious rally in the fourth quarter, and Houston came back to stun Atlanta, 132-126, on Monday night. The veteran duo both had their best games of the year. EG finished with a season-high 32 points to lead the Rockets, who survived a 41-point outburst from Atlanta’s Trae Young. The ever-so-daring Augustin had his best game as a Rocket, scoring a season-high 22 points on 6-for-7 shooting from long range, in only 23 minutes. As a team, Houston shot lights out from distance in the fourth quarter, hitting 8 of their 11 three-pointers. The team scored 44 points on 65% shooting in the period, as EG and the bench fueled the most impressive comeback of the season. It’s only the Houston’s second road win, and their first when trailing by double-digits entering the final period.

Along with the veterans, this was truly a team-effort from every Rocket who saw the floor. Nine Houston players got at least 21 minutes of playing time, as everyone contributed for the Rockets. Alperen Sengun played his first crunch-time minutes of his career on Monday night. And it won’t be the last time, as the rookie is slowly carving out a bigger role for himself with spectacular play. Sengun was a part of the group that outscored the Hawks 44-25 in the final quarter. Al-P registered 11 points, 6 boards, and led Houston with 4 assists in 25 minutes of action. The Rockets bench exploded for 62 points, and other than EG, it was all reserves on the court during during Houston’s rally in the fourth quarter. KJ Martin had another strong performance with 13 points, and Josh Christopher continues to see more playing time, getting 24 minutes of action on Monday.

However, the Rockets don’t comeback to shock last year’s Eastern Conference Finalists without David Nwaba. Armoni Brooks suffered an injury during the contest, opening the door for an opportunity for Nwaba. David has played sparingly over recent games. He even saw a stretch during Houston’s winning streak where he didn’t play for six straight games. And on Monday night, Nwaba didn’t hit the court until late in the third quarter. After hitting only one three all season, Nwaba hit two clutch threes late in this contest, and was a major part of Houston’s comeback. He finished with 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and had the defensive play of the night, sealing the victory for Houston by stealing the ball from Trae Young in the final minute. Nwaba, along with David Theis, who didn’t play tonight, define what it means to be a true professional. These guys start some games, come off the bench for others, and even go stretches of games where they don’t play at all. Yet when their number’s called, they’re always ready. It’s something the Rockets’ young core can learn from their savvy veterans. Even Augustin is someone who’s minutes typically fluctuate at a high rate. Yet tonight, the veterans showed what it means to be “always ready” in the NBA. There’s a reason the bench (besides EG) finished the game instead of the Rockets starters. The reserves played so hard, and Houston’s bench is full of guys with something to prove. And they sure proved on Monday night they deserve more playing time, making Stephen Silas’ job more challenging, in the best way.

Houston is now 8-2 in their last ten games after starting the season 1-16. They’re actually closer to the play-in spot than having the worst record. This Rockets team plays too hard to lose. Hate it or love it Houston fans, this Rocket team doesn’t know how to tank, and they won’t finish with the worst record in basketball. They had a brutal early schedule, and obvious growing pains with a young group to start the season. And with two thirds of the season remaining, there will still be plenty of bumps down the road. But Houston is starting to show the league that they’re not as bad as their horrific start. With a team composed of guys with giant chips on their shoulders… no game’s out of reach.

Rockets Travel to Atlanta, Aim to Shoot Down the Hawks

The Young Problem.    Closing Out.    The Bounce Back.

After a brutal back-to-back over the weekend, the Rockets travel to Atlanta hoping to snap a two-game losing skid as they face the Hawks. Atlanta was in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, although this season they’ve struggled to maintain consistency. The Hawks sit at 13-13 in the standings, and Atlanta’s lost three of their last four games. Nonetheless, the Rockets still have plenty of problems to address as they head into their third game in four days on Monday night. Houston is still without Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. The squad could really use their starting backcourt, but it’s more important Green and KPJ fully recover before they return. The Rockets are also without Danuel House Jr. once again. On Atlanta’s side, the Hawks  will be missing De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Regardless, the Birds still have the best player on the court, Trae Young, also Houston’s biggest headache of the night.

The Rockets faced two-time MVP Giannis a couple games back, and have played against plenty of great players. And Trae Young is right up their with the best of them. But opposed to Giannis, who’s a post/transitional threat, as opposed to the perimeter, Young can beat you from anywhere on the court. Especially from long distance. Young’s one of the best young shooters in the game, and has a knack for Steph Curry-like range from beyond the three-point line. The key to tonight’s game will be Houston’s ability to close out on open shooters on the perimeter. Young is one of the best passers in basketball, and he can drive to the basket at-will. So, as double-teams come to help on whoever’s guarding Young, the other Rockets have to hustle on defense to close out on a plethora of deadly Hawk shooters. Specifically, Kevin Huerter, Lou Williams, Cam Reddish, and Danilo Gallinari, all players who will punish Houston if they’re left wide open.

Atlanta also has former-Rocket Clint Capela starting at Center. Capela’s played well since Houston traded him a couple years ago. There’s no doubt Capela wants to have a huge game tonight, and will be highly motivated to get revenge against his former team. John Collins is also one fo the best young power forwards in the game. Houston has trouble to deal with inside and out tonight in Atlanta. Hopefully, a day of rest will give the Rockets the energy needed to bounce back, and snap the losing streak. Houston’s playing harder than they were earlier in the season, they haven’t lost a game by double-digits in three weeks, after seemingly getting blown out every night. Despite the outcomes of recent games, this Houston squad has improved immensely throughout the season. Will it be enough to garner the squad a victory tonight? It won’t be easy against Trae Young and a hungry Hawks team, but the Rockets have a much better chance at winning compared to how they were playing earlier in the year. 

 

State Farm Arena:  Atlanta, Georgia

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (8-18):  White

Atlanta Hawks (13-13):  Red

 

Tip:  6:30 PM

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Fall to Grizzlies, 113-106, for Second Straight Loss

Jammed Schedule.    Twin Towers.    Different Losses.

On the second night of a back-to-back, the Rockets didn’t have the energy required to pull out a gutsy victory in Memphis. Houston put up a valiant effort, but came up short, 113-106, on Saturday night. The Rockets played much better compared to the 136-102 beatdown the Grizzlies gave them earlier this season. Dillon Brooks’ season-high 25 points fueled the Grizz, who continue to have success without Ja Morant. Christian Wood had another double-double to lead Houston, with 22 points and 11 boards. Armoni Brooks scored 18 points, putting up another solid game for the Rockets. Garrison Matthews and Josh Christopher had 12 points apiece. And Alperen Sengun, put on another show. The 19-year-old rookie tied his career-high with 15 points, to go with 6 rebounds and 6 assists, in a more-than-usual 23 minutes of playing time.

The stats alone don’t tell the tale with Sengun. His passing is arguably his greatest asset. He’s one of the best passing big men I’ve ever seen. And he’s only beginning his NBA journey. Sengun has a point guard’s vision, his feel for the court is an intangible that can’t be taught. Age shouldn’t restrict this guy. Sengun is wise beyond his years, and very talented. He’s arguably the best rookie in the entire draft class, no offense to Jalen Green. If only Stephen Silas gave him consistent minutes. In addition to being an elite passer, Sengun’s already shown glimpses of Hakeem Olajuwon-like moves in the post. There’s good things to come in Houston’s future from what looks like the steal of the draft in Sengun.

Daniel Theis started this game, mainly to match up with Steven Adams, one of the tougher players in the NBA. However, Adams suffered an injury, and that allowed Sengun to get more playing time than usual, as Theis only played 18 minutes and wasn’t a factor once Adams left the game. Wood and Sengun played together for the most minutes all season, and hopefully they’ll get more chances in the future. The Rockets have now lost two in a row after their seven-game winning streak. Saturday in Memphis was going to be difficult regardless, as Houston played so hard the night prior against Milwaukee. They might not admit it, but the team had tired legs, yet still only lost by 7 points, after starting the game in an 11-1 hole. The Rockets could’ve easily given up, and got blown out why 30 again in Memphis. But this is a different Houston team. The Rockets led most of the night against the Bucks, but came up short agains the Champs. And second-halves of a back-to-back are always difficult, especially on the road. This was also the Rockets’ fourth game in six days. And the jammed schedule doesn’t let up, as Houston’s in the midst of a five-game in seven-days stretch at the moment. The squad will get a day off before facing the Hawks in Atlanta, where maybe, just maybe, the Rockets will have more fuel for a victory.

Rockets Begin Road Stretch in Memphis, Face Grizzlies 

No Luck for Ja.    One Streak to Another.    Road Warriors.

Houston heads to Memphis to battle the Grizzlies on Saturday night in the second half of their weekend back-to-back. The Rockets look to bounce back after having their winning streak snapped by the Milwaukee Bucks last night. Memphis is surprisingly holding onto the fourth seed in the Western Conference, with a record of 15-11. Even more surprising is their play of late without superstar Ja Morant, who went down a few weeks ago with an injury. Luckily for the Rockets, they won’t have to worry about containing Morant tonight. Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., De’Anthony Melton, and veteran Steven Adams will pose the biggest problems for the Rockets tonight. This is also Houston’s third game in four days. Don’t be surprised if the squad appears to be running with tired legs.

The Rockets win streak came to an end at the hands of the Bucks in their previous game, but Houston aims to start another streak tonight in Memphis. The squad won their last road game, in Oklahoma City, and will try and make it two straight away from Toyota Center with a win on Saturday night.

Tonight commences a very difficult part of the schedule fo the Rockets. The journey is treacherous over these next nine games, eight of which will be on the road. Houston will need to play better than their 1-11 road record if they want to avoid another long losing streak. The squad aims to get back on the right path in Memphis against a Grizzlies team who is very beatable compared to the fierce competition Houston witnessed last night.

 

FedExForum:  Memphis, Tennessee

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (8-17):  Red

Memphis Grizzlies (15-11):  Navy “City Edition”

 

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

Rockets Lose to Bucks, 123-114, as Streak Comes to an End

Back to Earth.    Failure to Close.    Right Back at It.

Despite leading for most of the night, the Rockets lost their first game in over two weeks, as the Bucks snapped the streak at seven by dealing Houston a 123-114 loss on Friday night. The Rockets had no answer for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who erupted for 41 points and 17 rebounds to lead Milwaukee. The Bucks also got 21 points apiece courtesy of Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis. Garrison Matthews continues to live up to his legend in Houston. Garry Bird led the Rockets in scoring with 23 points, and played with plenty of fire, even drawing the ire of former Rocket DeMarcus Cousins. Christian Wood posted 21 points and 13 boards, and Alperen Sengun had arguably his best game of the season. Sengun went right at the Greek Freak on offense, scoring a career-high 15 points in only 16 minutes of playing time. Armoni Brooks kept his streak of solid games, adding 21 points for Houston.

Down the stretch, the Rockets just lost to a better team. The champs put the clamps on Houston in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Rockets 33-19, and erasing a small 5-point edge Houston held entering the frame. This was a game where Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green’s absences were both sorely felt for the Rockets. The squad could’ve really used their two starting guards against an opponent who might win it all again this year. After winning seven games in a row, and being the talk of the league for a second, the Bucks brought the Rockets back to Earth. The team now hits the road to begin a tough stretch featuring eight of the next nine games away from Toyota Center.

Houston has no time rest. The Rockets are in the midst of a five games in seven days stretch. Tomorrow, the squad travels to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies in the second half of a back-to-back, and Houston’s third game in four days. They’ll look to start another win streak against a Ja Morant-less Memphis squad. But it won’t be easy. The Grizzlies are 15-11, good enough for fourth place in the West at the moment. So even if Houston leads for most of the night, if the Rockets can’t fire on all cylinders in the final quarter, they’re going to experience what happened on Friday often this season. Hopefully Houston can snap that bad habit. 

The Champs Visit Houston, as Rockets Host Bucks

Championship Swagger.    Hunting Season.    Play or Tank?

Since their winning streak began, the Rockets have played with a different genre of swagger. And tonight, Houston gets the ultimate test as the defending champs, the Milwaukee Bucks pay a visit to town. After a slow start due to extensive injuries, the Bucks are starting to find their groove, and appear as legit as any contender to win it all this season, again. Contrary to the Rockets latest victory over Brooklyn, where Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge decided to rest before tip-off, tonight Milwaukee should be loaded with the players who took them all the way to the top last year. Giannis Antetokounmpo is still most dominant transition force in basketball, and Milwaukee has Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday as well to form out their “Big Three.” Bobby Portis has had a helluva season as the Bucks wait for Brook Lopez to return from an injury. And Grayson Allen just has the prototype of a typical “Rocket-Killer.” Don’t be shocked if Allen has a big night as a surprise catalyst for the Bucks. After the most emotional game of the season on Wednesday, there won’t be any outside noise distracting Houston’s opponent tonight. The Rockets need to be amped up like hunters during open season if they want to keep their improbable streak alive.

It’s hunting season in the NBA. We’re well past the quarter-mark of the season, with roughly 15 games to play before we approach the halfway mark. Both conferences are in a traffic jam. Golden State, Phoenix, and Utah have a slight gap over their peers in the West. Brooklyn and Chicago have a slight edge over their opponents out East. And after starting 1-16, Houston now finds themselves only 2.5 games out of the play-in spot. With so much parity continuing to evolve in the league, the Rockets actually have a shot, it’s a long one, but a chance nonetheless, to actually make the playoffs. Tonight’s tilt against the Champions will demonstrate which direction Houston is likely heading towards. Another improbable win, and the Rockets could be headed towards a grind to the playoffs. A loss, and Houston may very well settle back into the apathetic comfort of the tanking mindset, and be bound for the lottery once again.

The Rockets are still without Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. tonight. But, they’ve adjusted to playing without two of their top playmakers. Houston will need everyone to step up, if the Rockets are going to slow down the Greek Freak’s Bucks. Expect everyone to get playing time for Houston. Hopefully Milwaukee’s championship swagger’s contagious. Tonight begins a brutal stretch for the Rockets. It’s the first of five games in seven nights. Friday night’s showdown is also the end of Houston’s stretch of 7 out of 8 games at home. If the Rockets can pull the miracle tonight, they’ll have beaten the top three Eastern Conference teams during this winning streak… in the process adding a little more ingredients to Houston’s unique swagger.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Milwaukee Bucks (16-10):  White

Houston Rockets (8-16):  Navy “City Edition”

 

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

Rockets Spoil Harden’s Houston Return, Stun Nets 114-104, for 7th Consecutive Win

EG Liftoff.    Defensive Workshop.    Perfect Birthday.

James Harden was back in Houston on Wednesday night, playing basketball in the building where he earned plenty of victories over his career. But on this night, victory eluded the Beard, as the Rockets topped the Nets, 114-104, pushing their winning streak to seven games. Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge, who both decided to rest, were late scratches for Brooklyn. Regardless, the Rockets still beat one of the best road teams in the NBA, and earned a win over the Beard in this much-anticipated matchup. Houston came out ready to play from the opening tip, leading for most of the contest. Eric Gordon started the fuse for Houston, scoring 15 of his team-high 21 points in the opening frame. EG, who seems to never get ejected, was even tossed from the game in the second half, as emotions were flowing throughout the night.

Christian Wood had another double-double, posting 12 points and 15 boards. Armoni Brooks chipped in 14 points, and Garrison Matthews aka “Garry Bird” saved the day when the matchup became too close for comfort in crunch time. Matthews continues to thrive as a starter. Garry Bird scored 19 points, and had some crucial plays late in the game. Matthews hit a few big threes to keep the Rockets ahead, and played stellar defense on Harden in the fourth quarter. Houston as a unit put on a defensive workshop on Wednesday night. The squad held one of the best offensive juggernauts to under 40% shooting, and kept Brooklyn well below their scoring average. The Rockets did an excellent job containing Harden, holding the Beard to a quiet 25 points.

On his 20th birthday, Josh Christopher had by far the best game of his NBA career. The rookie scored a career-high 18 points, including a dazzling 4-for-4 from long range. Christopher didn’t miss a shot, from the field or the free-throw line, and hit some key buckets late in the game for Houston. Sure, this game could’ve had a different outcome had Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge played, but the Rockets are still without Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green, so both squads were essentially short-handed.

Houston’s now won an incredible 7 straight games after losing 15 consecutive, a remarkable, and historic feat. The competition doesn’t get any easier for the Rockets, as the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks stride into town on Friday night. Houston will need to play even better against a Bucks team that’s beginning to round back into title form after a slow start to the season. Giannis Antetokounmpo smells blood and is a unique force, especially in the transitional game. If the Rockets want to pull off another upset, they’ll have to earn it with team effort on defense, just as they displayed against the former face of the franchise in Wednesday night’s trimming of the Nets.

Rockets Face Nets in Showdown, Harden Returns to a Houston Full House

Boss Level.    From the Alamo to Brooklyn.    How Sweet It Is.

“Hey are you like that guy, the one from Taken, who has a particular set of skills?,” a side character asks the lead role in 2021’s criminally overlooked Mel Gibson time-travel thriller, Boss Level. And as the Rockets still grasp the NBA’s longest winning streak, that guy, the one who had a particular set of skills for over 8 years as the lead role in Houston, James Harden, returns to the city, hell-bent on ending his former’s team’s winning streak. The Rockets host the Nets in what is is season’s biggest game at Toyota Center. These young Houston players have shown resilience throughout their winning streak. It’s hard to win six games in a row in this league. Despite the fairly easy schedule over the past games, the Rockets still took care of business. And that’s easier said than done against any team in the NBA. On Wednesday night, Houston is facing as tough an opponent as they’ll encounter all season. The Beard makes his return, and despite his slow start to this season in Brooklyn, expect him to have a big night for the Nets. Due to the coronavirus, it’s Harden’s his first game back in H-Town with a capacity crowd as the setting since he left Houston in disappointing fashion near the start of last season. The Rockets will rely on Jae’Sean Tate, and anyone who can somewhat contain a Beard-led outburst. The problem for Houston is Brooklyn, despite being without Kyrie Irving so far this season, still boasts arguably the most talent on any roster in the league.

Harden isn’t even the best player on his own team. That would be Kevin Durant, whom many people believe is the best player in the world right now. KD usually plays well again Houston, but Durant usually plays well against everyone, so that’s not saying much. KD and Harden will be a handful for this young Rockets team. If this was a video game, tonight’s battle is the Boss Level for Houston. After winning six in a row against  mainly inferior competition, the Rockets now face two of the best offensive players to ever play the game. Houston is still without Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green. Everyone needs to step up for the Rockets, and steal Harden’s spotlight.

Besides Brooklyn’s deadly duo, the Nets also have several players who have specialized in being “Rocket-killers” over their careers. Most notably, two former San Antonio Spurs, LaMarcus Aldridge and Patty Mills, who seem to play like future Hall-of-Famers any time they suit up against Houston. Obviously, all eyes will be on Harden and Durant tonight. But don’t be shocked one bit if Aldridge or Mills explodes for a 25-point night. Or even both of them. The Nets also have several injuries, so both former Spurs are starting for Brooklyn tonight. Eric Gordon, who’s admitted he’s pumped up himself for Harden’s return, will need to have a savvy big game if the Rockets want to pull off the upset. Houston also needs Christian Wood, Garrison Matthews, Jae’Sean Tate, and anyone who plays tonight to leave it all on the floor. These Nets are elite, and they don’t lost to teams they’re supposed to beat. In other words, Brooklyn doesn’t beat itself, as opposed to Rockets, who have done so countless times this season. Houston has to punch the Nets in the mouth (or Beard), if they want to keep the winning streak alive.

Who could’ve imagined this? After starting 1-16, no one thought Houston would go on a winning streak, let alone win six games in a row. And now standing in the way of win number seven is the guy wearing number seven, who spent the majority of his career carrying the Rockets in Houston. Only to leave in disappointing fashion about a year ago. The players may say there’s no bad blood between these squads, but that’s false. The Rockets want to beat Harden just as bad as he wants to put on a nostalgic show of nightmares in front of Houston’s fans. How sweet it would be if the Rockets could pull off the upset, and extend the streak. Show Harden Houston was never that bad, and his departure was premature. But that’s all in the past. Tonight’s squarely about the present. Some possible silver-lining entering this matchup, if there’s any for the Rockets coming into this showdown, are two key factors. First, the idea of rest in a load-management league: last night, the Nets won a tough road game in Dallas, 102-99, rallying from a 17-point deficit to beat the Mavs. On the other hand, Houston has had two days off since their last win on Sunday. Hopefully the Rockets won’t show any signs of rust, but if they do, they’ll have a booming legion of fans supporting them in the background. That’s the second factor that could play into Houston’s favor. The Rockets are home, playing in front of their fans. And if there was ever a night where the crowd is going to be rocking at Toyota Center, it’s tonight. He’s back in town. That guy they call “the Beard”… the one with a particular set of streak-ending skills.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Brooklyn Nets (17-7):  Gray

Houston Rockets (7-16):  Red

 

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