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ROCKETS 125, TRAIL BLAZERS 106

Rockets Head to Portland for Back-to-Back Matchups with Blazers

Part 1.    The Rebuilders.    Need One.

The Rockets travel to Oregon for the first of two straight games in Portland against the Blazers. Part One takes place on Friday night, and then these teams will do battle at the same place and time on Saturday night. Portland traded C.J. McCollum a little after halfway through the season, and Damian Lillard has missed most of the this campaign with a season-ending injury. So, just as the Rockets, the Blazers are in rebuilding mode.

Houston has a great chance to win one of these next two games in Portland. Common sense says tonight’s the Rockets’ best chance. As tomorrow poses the second part of a back-to-back, on the road. Houston likely isn’t disciplined enough to steal both games in Portland, but expect this squad to show some pride, and win at least one of these games this weekend.

Jalen Green is coming off a sub-par game. Houston’s explosive rookie will look to bounce back against a Blazers team that shouldn’t offer much defensive resistance. The University of Houston upset top-seeded Arizona in the NCAA Tournament last night. Can the Rockets upset the Blazers and keep the city’s promising basketball week rolling? Find out tonight, as Houston takes on a very beatable opponent.

 

Moda Center:  Portland, Oregon

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (18-55):  Black

Portland Trail Blazers (27-45):  White

 

Tip-Off:  9 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Second Half Dooms Rockets in 110-91 Loss to Mavs

Opposite Halves.    Brunson Burner.    Nine Lives.

Houston’s first game of their three-game road trip was a tale of two halves. The Rockets held a one-point edge at halftime, but that lead quickly vanquished after the break. Houston failed to score 20 points in either quarter after halftime, as the Rockets fell to the Mavericks, 110-91, on Wednesday night. Alperen Sengun led Houston with 14 points and 11 rebounds in only 22 minutes of action. The Turkish rookie sensation looks poised to take over the starting role at either power forward or center, depending on if the squad retains Christian Wood in the offseason. Jalen Green had a rare off-night during this second-half of the season. Green scored only 8 points on a struggling 3-for-11 shooting from the floor. But the story of this game was Jalen Brunson.

Brunson scored 16 of his 28 points in the third quarter, burning any hopes Houston had of maintaining their halftime lead. Spencer Dinwiddie added 26 points for Dallas, who won easily without their superstar Luka Doncic. The Rockets aim for a better result as they travel to the northwest to take on Portland for two games back-to-back in Oregon.

Only nine games remain in the season for Houston. Nine more chances to pad the win column. The Rockets’ draft chances are essentially locked into the best chance for the optimal outcome when the ping-pong balls dance in June. Can the squad reach 20 wins with only 9 games to go? The Trail Blazers have really struggled, and should give Houston a great chance to take at least one win of the two games in Portland this weekend.

Rockets Commence Road Trip in Dallas, Face In-State Rival Mavs

Stringing Twogether.    Spoiler Night.    Final I-45 Battle.

Houston begins a three-game road-trip tonight in Dallas, as they battle their I-45 in-state rivals, the Mavericks. Dallas has been one of the hottest teams of late, and they currently are clinging onto home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Rockets, meanwhile are trying to win consecutive games for the first time in 2022. Houston has really struggled to put a couple victories together. The Rockets have a tendency of getting “victory hangover,” because they’ve won the least amount of games in the NBA. Each win is certainly an event. In the future, this young team won’t suffer from victory hangover like many young teams.

There is some good news for the Rockets tonight. Luka Doncic, the Mavs sensational superstar, will sit out tonight’s game. It really shouldn’t matter, as Dallas has already beaten Houston without Doncic this season.

It’s the final I-45 battle of the season, and with ten games remaining, the Rockets have a great chance to play the spider role against a Mavs team fighting for playoff positioning. Houston will look to carry the momentum from their latest home win into Dallas, as the Rockets aim to put a winning streak together for the first time this year.

 

American Airlines Center:  Dallas, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (18-54):  Black

Dallas Mavericks (44-28):  White “City Edition”

 

Tip-Off:  7:30 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Wood Evening:  Christian’s Career-Night Powers Rockets Past Wizards, 115-97

Shoveling Out.    Christian Curry.    How Sweep It Is.

Wood evening ladies and gentlemen. The following is a story unlike most Houston’s endured this season. The Rockets appeared bound for another loss. Houston trailed by 9 after the first period, and by as many as 23 in the first half. But for the first time on the end of a back-to-back, the Rockets were able to secure the victory. Houston rallied, behind a dominant performance from Christian Wood, to put the the Wizards away, 115-97, ending the squad’s five-game losing streak. Unlike many games where the Rockets win the first quarter, and then fall apart some time in the second period or second half, this contest was the opposite. Houston fell behind early, but rallied and preserved for the victory.

Christian Wood put on a performance for the ages. Wood scored a career-high 39 points, including an amazing 8-for-9 shooting from distance. Houston’s big-man had some shots he took in Steph Curry-range. Wood was a huge part of the Rockets fending off any comeback from Washington in the final quarter.

The Wizards are the first team, and likely only squad, Houston will sweep all season. At least the Rockets went undefeated against somebody. Next up, Houston will aim to do what’s eluded them all of 2022… win two games in a row.

Rockets Host Wizards to Close Home-Stand

The Dreaded Back-Half.    Homecourt Magic.    Opportunity Knocks.

The Rockets host the Washington Wizards on Monday night, in the back-half of a back-to-back. Houston has yet to win all season after playing the day before. In this circumstance, the Rockets are coming off a beatdown by the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday afternoon. Houston was outscored in every period, and the game was never really in doubt for Memphis. The Rockets will aim to change that outcome against a far less dominant Wizards team.

This is is the final game of Houston’s five-game home-stand. After tonight, they hit the road for a three-game stretch. Only ten games remain for the Rockets. Six at home, and five on the road. Can they whip up some homecourt magic before they hit the road? This is Houston’s best chance of the home-stand. The Wizards had a solid first half of the season, but have slid out of playoff contention in the second half of the campaign.

Opportunity is knocking tonight for the Rockets. It’s also Jalen Green’s first bobblehead night. Does Green have another 30-point explosive performance in store for the fans tonight? Hopefully Houston takes advantage of an inferior Wizards team, at least compared the competition the Rockets have faced recently. If Houston wants to finally win the end of a back-to-back… tonight’s their best chance.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Washington Wizards (30-40):  White

Houston Rockets (17-54):  Black

 

Tip-Off:  7 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Mauled by Grizzlies, 122-98, Lose 5th Straight

Eaten Alive.    The B&B Show.    Back at It.

This game was a one-sided contest, almost from the opening tip. Memphis led by 9 points after the first quarter, and won each period en route to dealing the Rockets a 122-98 blowout defeat. The loss is Houston’s fifth in a row, as the squad has yet another losing streak on their hands. Ja Morant’s absence from the game wasn’t a problem for the Grizzlies, as they had plenty of other players step up to do damage.

Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks led Memphis’ charge. Bane finished with 24 points, and Brooks added 20 points for the Grizz. Dennis Schroder led the Rockets in scoring with 17 points off the bench, in what was a quiet night for the team overall. They didn’t even pass the 100-point mark, rare in today’s high-scoring NBA. This wasn’t Houston’s night, as they were simply beaten by a far superior team. The afternoon start didn’t help either, as the Rockets rarely play games before nightfall.

Houston gets right back at it, as they close their home-stand with another game at Toyota Center on Monday night. The squad will host the Wizards, a far less dangerous opponent than Memphis. Hopefully the Rockets can secure a win and end the losing streak before they head back on the road.

Rockets Host Grizzlies in Sunday Matinee

Rare Start.    First of Two.    Dozen to Go.

It’s a rare afternoon start on Sunday as the Rockets host the Memphis Grizzlies at Toyota Center. Houston rarely plays afternoon games, so it will be interesting to see how this young Rockets core responds to a hungry Grizzlies team ready for revenge. Houston beat Memphis the last time these squads squared off at Toyota Center. The Grizz are still clinging to the second seed out West, and are trying to finish the season strong. Today’s game won’t be an easy ride for the Rockets.

Sunday’s matchup is the first of a back-to-back for Houston, with both games at home. The Rockets will host the Washington Wizards on Monday night to close their homestand. Hopefully they’ll have enough energy left after today’s battle to beat a much weaker opponent in the Wizards.

Only a dozen games remain on the schedule for the Rockets this season. Houston has to finish 3-9 or better to win 20 games. Hopefully the squad can achieve that goal, as they’ve essentially locked up their best chance to get a Top-3 pick once again in this year’s draft.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Memphis Grizzlies (48-23):  White

Houston Rockets (17-53):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  2:30 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Collapse Late in 121-118 Loss to Pacers

The Fourth Colder.    Wasted Wood.    The Green Streak.

After a spectacular third quarter, Houston looked poised to grab their 18th win of the season on Friday night. But a dreadful fourth quarter doomed the Rockets, as they the Pacers stormed back to give Houston a 121-118 defeat. The loss is Houston’s fourth in a row, as the squad finds themselves on the wrong end of another streak once again. After outscoring Indiana 39-22 in the third quarter, the Rockets held an 8-point advantage heading into the final period. A quarter which saw Houston turn cold, as the Rockets were outscored 38-23 by the Pacers, en route to another loss.

Houston wasted arguably Christian Wood’s best game of the season. The Rockets’ big man registered 32 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks in a dominant performance. Jalen Green extended his streak of games with double-digit scoring to 22 in a row. Green scored 20 points on the evening, and his consistency is really starting to ramp up. He’s scored at least 17 points in nine of his last ten games. Expect Green to have a monster sophomore season next year.

Up next the Rockets finish off their home-stand with a back-to-back on Sunday and Monday. First up, Houston hosts the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday afternoon. The  Rockets beat the Grizz earlier this season at Toyota Center. And then the Rockets will welcome the Wizards to town on Monday night. Hopefully, the squad can grab a win before this home-stand ends. Houston has all but guaranteed themselves the best chance to grab a top-3 pick in this summer’s draft. But it would be nice to see the team win at least 20 games this season. With only a dozen contests remaining, the Rockets are running out of time.

Rockets Host Pacers in Friday Night Tilt

Winnable Game.    Green Shift.    Building.

On Friday night, the Houston Rockets host the Indiana Pacers, in a very winnable game for the home squad tonight. The Rockets have lost three straight games, and hold the NBA’s worst record. Indiana is near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, but will still pose a formidable opponent against these young Rockets.

Houston continues to shift towards the Rockets being Jalen Green’s team. Green’s led the team in scoring over the past few games, and his improvement has been impressive, to say the least. 

The Rockets continue to build towards next season, and gaining another top pick in the upcoming draft, and this season winds down.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Indiana Pacers (23-47):  Yellow

Houston Rockets (17-52):  Navy “City Edition”

 

Tip-Off:  7 PM CT

TV:  AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass